Jun Ji-hyun, the star of the movie ‘Gunche’, shared the delightful chemistry she had with fellow actor Koo Kyo-hwan and some behind-the-scenes stories from the Cannes Film Festival.
During an interview with reporters on May 26 at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Jun Ji-hyun expressed her affection, saying, “I became really close with Koo Kyo-hwan, and we clicked perfectly.”
Talking about Koo Kyo-hwan, she said, “He is such a sensible actor that talking with him was never boring, and every moment was enjoyable.” She added, “Koo Kyo-hwan is someone more interested in things that haven’t happened than things that have. Since I’m a total ‘F’ (MBTI), I just listened and reacted. Director Yeon Sang-ho is similar, so the three of us got along great.”
The two reportedly bonded deeply over imaginative topics and movie settings rather than realistic conversations. Because their personalities matched so well, the atmosphere on set was always cheerful even without many words. She recalled that Director Yeon Sang-ho’s similar disposition made their communication even smoother.
This close bond also shone at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Recalling the red carpet event, Jun Ji-hyun shared, “It was a time when we could fully enjoy ourselves, almost like our own private festival.”
While there were nervous moments on the global stage, she said she was able to naturally relax thanks to being side-by-side with Koo Kyo-hwan, with whom she is already close. She cited the experience of joking around comfortably with her partner and perfectly promoting the film as an unforgettable memory.
She also mentioned Gang Dong-won, her colleague from the Disney+ series ‘North Star’. Gang Dong-won had previously worked with Director Yeon Sang-ho in the movie ‘Peninsula’. When asked what Gang Dong-won told her about the director during the filming of ‘North Star’, she replied, “He told me the director was interested, but I had already received the script, so I told him that. Gang Dong-won is truly a man of few words.”
Regarding a sequel to ‘Gunche’, Jun Ji-hyun said, “I asked the director directly, and he said he wouldn’t make one if it doesn’t go well. However, if a sequel is produced, I will definitely appear in it.” Showing her special affection for Director Yeon Sang-ho, she added, “I personally love all of Director Yeon Sang-ho’s works, so I want to meet him again, and I also have a desire to film high-intensity action with him.”
‘Gunche’, the new zombie film from Director Yeon Sang-ho (who directed ‘Train to Busan’ and ‘Peninsula’), tells the story of survivors fighting a zombie horde in a high-rise building where a mysterious mass infection has occurred. With a production budget of 20 billion won, the film is cruising toward its break-even point of 3 million viewers, bolstered by strong overseas sales.
In the film, Jun Ji-hyun plays biotechnology professor Kwon Se-jung, who fights the zombies, and Koo Kyo-hwan plays Seo Young-cheol, the one who spreads the virus.
