[2026 Cannes] Director Na Hong-jin Praises Jo In-sung’s Dedication in ‘HOPE’ Despite Knee Injury

On the afternoon of the 18th (local time), an official press conference for “HOPE,” invited to the competition section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, was held at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France. Director Na Hong-jin attended along with actors Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Michael Fassbender.

During the event, Director Na revealed, “I wanted ‘HOPE’ to be a primitive film rather than a modern one. To achieve that, CG creatures were introduced, and acting from the cast that contrasted with them was necessary. Since highly difficult action scenes were required, I had to persuade, trick, and lure them into it.”

He continued, expressing gratitude and apology, saying, “Actually, Jo In-sung had undergone knee surgery when we were filming the forest scenes. He had already agreed to join the project, so he told me, ‘I’m sorry, but I think it will be difficult for me to run.’ At the time, I confidently told him there would be no running, but he ended up running through the forest constantly during filming.”

In response, Jo In-sung said, “It might seem like a physically demanding shoot, but courage is needed to create something new. I approached the filming with that courage. Above all, ‘HOPE’ had a screenplay that touched the desires of a filmmaker.”

He added, “Actually, the emotional state was more challenging than the physical hardship. I worried about how to convey this sense of fear to the audience. Furthermore, I focused my acting on how to express human survival instincts in a way that people could empathize with.”

Meanwhile, ‘HOPE’ is Director Na’s first new work in 10 years since ‘The Wailing.’ The story begins when Beom-seok (Hwang Jung-min), the head of the Hopohang branch office located in the Demilitarized Zone, hears news from local youths that a tiger has appeared.