Na Hong-jin's new film 'Hope' premiered today, drawing attention to a review from an audience member who attended a director's Q&A session.
On July 14, a post titled 'Hope Lee Chang-dong Director's Q&A Review' appeared on an online community.
The reviewer noted that Director Lee Chang-dong described the film as "the pinnacle of pure entertainment," adding, "I resonate with that description."
He praised the film for its "exhilarating action, speed, tension, and thrills, showcasing a sensory experience rarely seen in Korean cinema," and remarked that the quality of the cinematography was exceptional.
However, he expressed some disappointment with the CGI, stating, "While it doesn't break immersion, viewers familiar with creature films might find certain scenes somewhat jarring," and predicted that the depth of the story and its conclusion would elicit mixed reactions among audiences.
Additionally, Na Hong-jin mentioned during the Q&A that he wanted to create a film that was "completely different from 'Gokseong,'" and the reviewer felt that this intention was successfully realized, advising viewers not to expect 'Gokseong.'
Further insights into the atmosphere of the Q&A session were shared.
The reviewer noted, "Director Lee Chang-dong humorously remarked at the start, 'Na Hong-jin makes great films but isn't great at speaking, so I'll moderate the discussion,' which had the audience laughing," and added that the unexpectedly humorous moderation was impressive.
He also shared in the comments, "The dialogue is clear. It's not a dialogue-heavy film to begin with," and suggested that Director Lee seemed to have a favorable view of 'Hope.'
Film critic Lee Dong-jin had previously expressed high expectations for the film in his Q&A event announcement.
Lee described 'Hope' as "an astonishing sci-fi film in both the quantity and quality of action, with a story that uniquely delves into various layers," and characterized the film as feeling like a massive crescendo as it boldly races through a bizarre chaos.
He emphasized that it is not merely a spectacle-driven commercial film, but one that impresses with its narrative, direction, and rhythm, stating, "You probably haven't seen Na Hong-jin tell a story this long and deep before."
Fans of the film have been buzzing about Lee's every expression.
In particular, his comment that the "quantity and quality of action are astonishing" has been interpreted as a nod to the film's large-scale action sequences, while the phrase "a story that uniquely delves into various layers" suggests a narrative that goes beyond simple entertainment, allowing for diverse interpretations.
Moreover, the description of the film as racing "like a massive crescendo" has been seen as an indication of the escalating tension and immersion as the film progresses.
Commenters have expressed their excitement, stating, "The most anticipated Korean film of the year," "I always watch Na Hong-jin's films in theaters," "Just reading Lee Dong-jin's review raises my expectations," and "The casting alone is incredible."
'Hope' marks Na Hong-jin's first feature film in nearly a decade since 'Gokseong.' It is known for its global cast and unique worldview, combining action, mystery, thriller, and human drama, and is considered one of the most anticipated films of the summer.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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