Actor Jung Woo Expresses Affection for 'Don't Touch the Dirty Money' at BIFF
Actor Jung Woo Expresses Affection for 'Don't Touch the Dirty Money' at BIFF
Actor Jung Woo has expressed his affection for the film 'Don't Touch the Dirty Money'.

On the 5th, during the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), an open talk for the film 'Don't Touch the Dirty Money' was held at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan. Director Kim Min-soo, along with actors Jung Woo and Park Byung-eun, attended the event.

'Don't Touch the Dirty Money' is a film about two detectives who dream of a perfect crime to turn their lives around by getting involved with 'dirty money', only to find themselves caught in an unexpected accident. The film has been invited to the 'Korean Cinema Today: Special Premiere' section of this year's Busan Film Festival and is set to be released in theaters on the 17th.

Director Kim expressed, “It was great to meet the audience with my first directed film and have a conversation through GV. I thought a lot about the people who helped create this on set, and I hope it becomes a film that leaves good memories for both them and the audience.”

Jung Woo shared, “I am a son of Busan. Busan is my hometown and feels like a mother's embrace. The Busan Film Festival always excites and thrills me, and it's an honor and a pleasure to meet the audience here. I think this is my first time on an open talk stage. I'm excited to talk closely with the audience.”

Jung Woo plays the role of Myung-deuk, a detective who investigates by day and engages in side hustles by night. He stated, “I wanted to participate in this project not just because of the character. The characters I've played before were strong, filled with resentment, and explosive. Myung-deuk has a personal story that might seem typical. Because of that reason, he gets involved with money and gets caught up in the incident. Instead of making this character stand out with multifaceted charm, I found the overall feeling that runs through the film attractive.” He added, “The title also caught my attention. The title is important. You can feel the director's sense and color from it.” He continued, “I was curious about how much the title would match my imagination and how it would be expressed in different colors. When I opened the script, it was simpler, more impactful, and sexier than I imagined,” expressing his affection for the work.

Jung Woo humorously remarked, “The director was ruthless on set.” He continued, “Even though it was the director's debut work, he controlled and overwhelmed about 140 people, including extras. Watching him navigate the set, even with the youngest staff, he seemed like a buffalo with his persistence. He was solid. He led well.”

Director Kim reminisced, “Since childhood, my dream was to make films, and I savored that moment.” In response, Jung Woo joked, “The director is very serious,” bringing laughter. Park Byung-eun added, “I wondered if the director was a gangster on set. The director calls me 'Byung-eun hyung', but even as time passes, I can't bring myself to speak informally to him.”

Busan Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr