MOVIE
Director Choo Chang-min said, "Jo Jung-seok is an actor like a sports car."
On the 8th, I met director Choo Chang-min of the movie 'Land of Happiness' at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.
'The Land of Happiness' is a film that tells the story of Park Tae-joo, who was implicated in the assassination of the president on the orders of his superior on October 26, 1979, and Jeong In-hu, a lawyer who jumps into a political trial to defend him. Jo Jung-seok, Lee Sun-kyun, and Yoo Jae-myung play the lead roles.
Lee Sun-kyun plays Park Tae-joo, the chief of staff of the Intelligence Service, who is on trial for his involvement in the assassination of the president under the orders of his superior. Jo Jung-seok plays Jeong In-hu, a lawyer who jumps into the trial to save Park Tae-joo and gives his all, regardless of the means and methods. Yoo Jae-myung plays Jeon Sang-doo, the head of the Joint Investigation Department, who leads the unfair trial and is at the center of a huge power that causes a military rebellion for dangerous ambitions.
Director Choo said, "After filming for about 3-4 days, I told Jo Jung-seok, 'You're like a sports car. '" He continued, "Regular cars need time to increase speed, but sports cars can do it in an instant. If you say, 'Should I do it this way,' he changes it in an instant. Can an actor do that? He has quick reflexes and is smart. I felt that he was an actor who could make quick decisions and change things. If I say, 'Should I make it sad?', he makes it sad, and if I say, 'Should I make it funny? ', he makes it funny. It takes time for an actor to accept direction and express it, but Jung-seok uses that time well in a short period of time."
Jo Jung-seok is an actor who can deliver original lines wittily as if they were ad-libs, and ad-libs naturally as if they were original lines. Director Choo said, "To be honest, there are a lot more fun parts. He is an outstanding actor in that area. However, since it is a serious movie, I tried to distribute them appropriately. Some people might say, 'Make it funnier,' and others might say, 'Was it really necessary to make it funny?', but I think it comes down to personal taste. You can't satisfy everyone's taste. You have to show it by setting a standard."
The film is based on actual modern history, with fictional stories and characters added. Given the nature of this genre, a certain amount of emotional content is expected. Director Chu said, "It can't be helped if you feel melodramatic, but I don't think many people feel that way." He also said, "You may think the last scene is abrupt, but I think it reflects the changing times. There was a time when it flared up like an active volcano. It may be abrupt to some, but it was boiling underneath like a furnace. When there was a starting point, when the trigger was pulled (the emotions exploded)." Regarding the scene in the drama where Jeong In-hoo goes to see Jeon Sang-doo who is playing golf and appeals to him, he explained, "Jeong In-hoo knows that society is unfair and goes to confront him. 'If this trial had proceeded naturally, that person wouldn't have died.' Going to a golf course that is completely packed, a place that no one can go to, a place that is like an iron fortress, wearing a white shirt and grabbing someone and yelling at them, isn't that too weak? I think there were a lot more people like that back then than now. If you substitute it for the times, you can understand."
'The Land of Happiness' will be released on the 14th.
Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr
