Jung Woo plays third-rate gangster in action noir 'Hot Blooded'

A scene from the film "Hot Blooded" / Courtesy of Kidari Studio

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Actor Jung Woo said he wanted to break away from “the funny guy” image that he had and show off the tough, charismatic side of him in the action noir “Hot Blooded,” a film adaptation of Kim Un-su's novel of the same title.

Set in a shabby town near the port city of Busan, the film tells the story of a third-rate gangster Hee-su (Jung Woo), who unwittingly becomes involved in a brutal gang war. The film also stars Kim Kap-soo, Choi Mu-sung and Ji Seung-hyun.

“At first, I wasn't so intrigued by this story because I've already played a character like this before ― a gangster from Busan who uses Busan dialect,” he said during an online press conference for the film, Monday.

“In the past, I've mostly played really bright, quirky characters. This time, I had this feeling that I could show a hyper-tough guy image by taking the lead in a mostly masculine story. It was the type of character that many good actors would love to play.”

Director Cheon Myoung-kwan, who is making his feature directorial debut with “Hot Blooded,” revealed that writer Kim inspired him to venture into filmmaking.

“Kim is my dear friend. Even before he started writing the novel, the author told me stories about growing up in a shabby town near the port city of Busan and watching residents being pushed out from their homes. I was the one who encouraged him to write a book about it,” Cheon said.

“After the book came out, Kim asked me to adapt it into a movie. I actually declined his offer several times because I have never directed a film in my life. But when I read the script, I felt like I would regret it if the script went to someone else.”

From left, actors Lee Hong-nae, Choi Mu-sung, Jung Woo, Kim Kap-soo and Ji Seung-hyun pose during a press conference for the film, "Hot Blooded," Monday. Courtesy of Kidari Studio

The director also talked about the major difference between being a writer and a filmmaker. “I'm sure it's a surprise to many, but I have always dreamed of becoming a filmmaker. I have a complex feeling about making a movie 30 years after I set foot in Chungmuro (he penned the screenplay for the 1999 film “The Great Chef”). I learned about the collaborative process behind filmmaking, which was fun,” Cheon said.

Jung Woo said the most challenging part was the pressure to remain faithful to the character and prove himself as the lead actor.

“It was difficult because I had to find a way to create life without copying it from characters in other action noir films or repeating myself. In each take, I acted differently,” he said.

Actor Kim Kap-soo said his role is not the typical crime boss that frequently appears in other action noir films.

“I'm not a big fan of violent movies, so I hardly starred in them. However, the script for 'Hot Blooded' was different. It didn't sound like a violent movie at all. It sheds light on gangsters' human side,” he said.

“Hot Blooded” will hit local theaters, March 23.