Actor Jung Heon makes directorial debut with ‘One Lucky Day,’ wins int'l acclaim
Actor Jung Heon draws attention with his directorial debut, "One Lucky Day," whose poster is seen on the right / Courtesy of Blue Dragon Entertainment
Actor Jung Heon has marked his debut as a director with the short film “One Lucky Day,” which has been screened at major international film festivals and recognized with multiple awards, signaling a new chapter in his 14-year career.
In an exclusive interview, Jung said he sets new goals for himself each year, and last year’s challenge was to produce a film. That effort became “One Lucky Day,” known in Korea as “Double Parking.”
“It wasn’t a sudden decision. I had been developing another script for months, but ended up writing this one instead. Since my goal was to make a film, I took on both the screenplay and directing from the start," he said. "As I wrote the story, I realized the main character reflected much of myself, so I decided to play the role as well.”
From actor to director
To back up his choice to cast himself, Jung prepared rigorously. He drew 49 storyboard sheets, visited the filming site seven times before shooting and balanced directing with acting throughout the production.
“Before each take, I checked the composition through the viewfinders of both main and sub cameras. I trusted myself as an actor and the cinematographer, and I reviewed important cuts during camera resets. Directing myself actually saved time, because I could adjust my performance on the spot. Calling action and cut myself also kept me focused,” he said.
The film blends black comedy with suspense, built around the metaphor of double parking. “Even harmless actions can cause harm to others. Once you cross a line, good and evil can easily switch places. Who has the right to ask for conscience or responsibility? That’s the question I wanted to raise,” Jung said.
Actor Jung Heon / Courtesy of Blue Dragon Entertainment
International recognition
The film’s thematic depth and execution resonated widely. It opened the Jeonju International Short Film Festival, was invited to the Chungju Short Film Festival and was screened abroad under the title “One Lucky Day.”
It won Best Short Film at the Florence Film Awards, Best New Director at both the Independent Short Awards and Asia Independent Film Festival, and Best Cinematography at the Tokyo International Short Film Festival.
It also received honors at festivals in New York, Sweden and Italy, with official selections at Berlin Indie Film Festival, Arizona International Film Festival and others.
“Making a film feels a bit like raising a child,” Jung said with a smile. “The words that come to mind are effort, sincerity, asking and persuading. Watching each department work so intensely on set reminded me that I need to prepare even more thoroughly as an actor.”
Looking ahead
Known for his versatility as an actor across genres ranging from thrillers to romance, Jung chose a more restrained performance for “One Lucky Day,” focusing on building emotion gradually. “I wanted the film to follow the changes in Jung-woo’s face and feelings,” he said.
Jung has appeared in SBS’ “The Killing Vote,” ENA’s “Moon in the Day,” MBC’s “Bitter Sweet Hell” and the upcoming Disney+ series “The Manipulated,” as well as films such as “The Tooth and the Nail.”
Asked about his future, he said, “My main job is acting. I love genre dramas and romances, and I’m always eager for bold roles. Of course, a beautiful romance would be great too. But if time allows, I’d like to direct again — this time focusing only on directing.”
Jung said he hopes to be remembered as someone who never hesitated to take on challenges and always existed fully in his roles.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.