Actor Ha back with film adaptation of Chinese novel

ctor Ha Jung-woo, second from left in the front row, and actress Ha Ji-won, to his left, in a scene from “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant” / Courtesy of NEW

By Baek Byung-yeul

While Korea’s box office is occupied by heart-warming films like “Ode to My Father” and “My Love, Don’t Cross That River,” expectations are mounting for star actor and director Ha Jung-woo’s upcoming directorial feature “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant.”

The film has garnered much attention not only because it is the 36-year-old movie star’s second directorial film but also it is based on literary super star Yu Hua’s 1995 novel of the same title.

Set in the early 1950s to the 1980s in China, the novel tells the story of a man who sells his blood to feed his family. “Chronicle” is the second film adaptation of Hua’s work following his 1993 novel “To Live,” which was put on the big-screen in 1994 by Chinese director Zhang Yimou.

In the film adaptation of “Chronicle,” the scenario is transposed to a fictional village in the 1950s of Korea, right after the Korean War (1950-1953), and revolves around Heo Sam-gwan, a man married with three children, who sells his blood to earn a living.

Ha plays the role of Heo, while actress Ha Ji-won stars as his wife Heo Ok-ran. The couple encounters a lifetime crisis as a rumor that their eldest son doesn’t take after his father spreads in the village.

For supporting roles, “Chronicle” is filled with A-list stars ― actor Lee Geung-young plays the father-in-law of Heo and actors Sung Dong-il, Cho Jin-woong and Kim Sung-kyun perform the roles of Heo’s friends.

Despite the flawless casting line-up, Ha cited difficulties in making a film version of the novel.

“I couldn’t stop regretting my decision to direct this film,” Ha said to reporters at a theater in southern Seoul, last month.

“While filming, I realized that there were reasons why this novel couldn’t be adapted into a big screen in the past.”

He added that he got through the difficulties with the help of his staff.

“I prepared a lot before shooting this film. With my film crew, I shot about 40 percent of the movie as practice,” Ha said.

Despite his concerns, actors complimented Ha on his excellent directing skills.

“Though he and I are the same age, I felt like he was my elder brother. He took care of me a lot,” actress Ha said. “As he has experienced both directing and acting, he really tried to understand the difficulties of performers. Thanks to him, I could finish this film comfortably.”

Veteran actor Lee also spoke highly of Ha.

“I hope Ha will keep building his career just like Clint Eastwood. I believe he learned a lot through shooting this film,” Lee said.

Ha made his debut as an actor in 2002, and rose to stardom with a slew of box office hits, including “Take Off” (2009), “Nameless Gangster : Rules of Time” (2011)” “The Berlin File” (2012), “The Terror Live” (2013) and “Kundo: Age of the Rampant" (2014) among others.

In 2013, he made his directional debut with the comedy flick “Fasten Your Seatbelt.”

“Chronicle of a Blood Merchant” will screen nationwide starting January 15. It is rated 12 and over and is in Korean.