Ha Jung-woo's Directorial Debut in Advertising Nears 3 Million Views

Actor and director Ha Jung-woo's first foray into advertising direction is making waves, nearing 3 million views. Earlier in February, he publicly acknowledged his long-term relationship with actress Cha Jung-won, who is 11 years his junior.

Ha Jung-woo's debut campaign advertisement, 'Hana Universe,' has garnered approximately 2.85 million views within just four days of its release. The official trailer has also amassed around 7.6 million views, bringing the total to nearly 10 million views, showcasing its significant impact.

'Hana Universe' is not just a commercial but a short film that fully utilizes Ha Jung-woo's directorial skills. The project features a stellar lineup of beloved K-artists across generations and the globe, including Kang Ho-dong, G-DRAGON, Lim Young-woong, soccer player Son Heung-min, and IVE's Ahn Yu-jin.

This campaign video is particularly captivating as it marks Ha Jung-woo's first venture into advertising direction. Its unique format as a short film, along with the fresh performances and appearances of the five artists, has drawn significant attention from viewers.

Ha Jung-woo has been actively working as a director since his 2013 film 'Fasten Your Seatbelt,' followed by 'Chronicle of a Blood Merchant,' 'Lobby,' and 'The Neighbors.' His most recent film, 'The Neighbors,' was honored with the 'LEAFF Honorary Award' at the 10th London Asian Film Festival for elevating the status of Asian cinema, praised for its witty dialogue and unpredictable storyline.

Continuing his acting career alongside his directorial pursuits, Ha Jung-woo's first advertising directorial work, 'Hana Universe,' is currently available on Hana Financial Group's official YouTube channel, 'HanaTV.'

Ha Jung-woo is also appearing in the tvN weekend drama 'How to Become a Landlord in Korea,' playing the role of a struggling landlord, Ki Soo-jong, engaging with viewers.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr