Hwang Jung Min & Zo In Sung Report Tiger Sighting

Director Na Hong-jin's new film "HOPE" has released six stills offering a glimpse into the film's atmosphere. The movie has been confirmed for a North American release through a collaboration with American distributor NEON, in addition to its selection for the competition section at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. The released stills depict scenes such as Beom-seok (Hwang Jung-min) behind a foggy glass window, Seong-gi (Jo In-sung) aiming a gun in a deep forest, and Seong-ae (Jung Ho-yeon) holding a weapon in a destroyed village, conveying a sense of unease and urgency. In particular, set against the backdrop of Hopo Port near the demilitarized zone, the stills show a tense cross-section of Beom-seok hiding behind a broken wall, Seong-gi making an emergency call, and Seong-ae looking at something with a startled expression.

"HOPE" is a film that depicts the story of Beom-seok, the head of the outpost at Hopo Port located in the demilitarized zone, who learns about a tiger sighting from the local youths, leading to the entire village being engulfed in crisis. The movie is generating anticipation as an occult thriller that combines Director Na Hong-jin's unique directing style with an original worldview.

The film will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May with its world premiere and is set for a theatrical release in South Korea this summer.

Director Na Hong-jin's new film "HOPE" has been officially invited to the competition section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, marking the first time a Korean film has entered this section in four years. The competition section is a key segment that requires recognition of artistic merit and completeness to enter. Director Na Hong-jin has completed a remarkable filmography, with all his feature films—"The Chaser," "The Yellow Sea," "The Wailing," and now "HOPE"—being invited to the Cannes Film Festival. "HOPE" is his first film to be selected for the competition section.

"HOPE" portrays the story of 'Beom-seok,' the head of the outpost at Hopo Port near the demilitarized zone, as he learns about a tiger sighting in the village. The project garnered significant attention from the production stage with the addition of global actors Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, alongside Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, and Jung Ho-yeon. Director Na Hong-jin expressed his thoughts, stating, "It is an honor. I will do my best in the remaining time."