Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Jung Woo returns as Jjanggu in directorial debut ‘Audition 109’
Actor and co-director Jung Woo speaks during a press conference for "Audition 109" at a theater in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
By Baek Byung-yeul
Actor Jung Woo is taking a bold new step by taking on dual roles as lead actor and co-director in his latest film, “Audition 109,” a spiritual successor to the 2009 cult classic “Wish.”
The actor and director said this film marks a significant milestone in his career as the 45-year-old brings his own life stories to the big screen.
He also expressed deep affection for his character, Jjanggu, which has also been his nickname since he was a toddler and remains inseparable from his identity as an actor.
“It is difficult to talk about the character Jjanggu without mentioning the film ‘Wish.’ This character is also something I cannot leave out of my life as an actor,” Jung said during a press conference Thursday.
“It was a pleasure to play Jjanggu again after 16 years. While there were physical challenges and pressure in directing and acting simultaneously, it was a joyful and thankful experience to turn my own story into a movie.”
“Audition 109” follows the journey of Jjanggu, a rookie actor who repeatedly faces failure but never gives up on his dream. While the 2009 film “Wish” focused on his turbulent high school years, this movie depicts his desperate yet humorous struggle to become a professional actor.
Actors Jung Woo, right, and Jung Soo-jung in a scene from "Audition 109" / Courtesy of BY4M Studio
Co-directed by Oh Seong-ho, the film blends reality with fiction. Jung explained that many scenes, such as one during an audition where his character is asked to swim on the floor or deliver specific monologues, were based on his actual experiences auditioning for films like the 2003 movie “Silmido.”
He also shared a poignant moment involving director Jang Hang-jun, known for this year’s biggest hit, “The King’s Warden,” as he made an appearance in the film. Jung recalled that his very first film audition in real life was for Jang, and reuniting with him on set for this project was an emotional experience.
The film features a strong supporting cast including Jung Soo-jung, Shin Seung-ho and Jo Beom-gyu.
Jung Soo-jung, who plays Jjanggu’s girlfriend Min-hee, said she joined the project because she was a huge fan of the original film “Wish” and wanted to work with Jung Woo. “I enjoyed ‘Wish’ so much that I was curious about how a sequel would turn out,” she said.
Actor Shin Seung-ho speaks during a press conference for "Audition 109" at a theater in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Shin, who plays Jjanggu’s friend, expressed deep gratitude for Jung’s leadership on set.
“If I hadn’t found this project as an actor, I wouldn’t have been able to call Jung Woo as a friend,” Shin said. Regarding Jung’s role as a co-director, Shin said Jung always gave clear answers, while telling him to “do whatever you want within the set boundaries.”
Co-director Oh Seong-ho emphasized the film's realistic portrayal of Busan, saying his efforts to capture the city's authentic atmosphere.
“I wanted Busan to look like a living space for the characters rather than just a typical tourist destination,” Oh said.
The director specifically pointed to a scene where Jjanggu delivers a monologue from the 1999 blockbuster “Shiri” as a highlight of the film.
“Audition 109” is scheduled to hit local theaters on Wednesday.