Park Hoon Jung is a screenwriter-director from South Korea, known for his dark, action, film noir projects.
Throughout his career, he has been nominated, recognized, and awarded for his works from various award-giving bodies such as the Baeksang Arts Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, Grand Bell Awards, Fantasia International Film Festival, and Golden Cinematography Awards to name a few.
Interestingly, he was praised by Albert Barbera, director of the Venice Film Festival, for his ability to write original screenplays, create complex yet non-stereotypical characters, as well as his impressive and masterly directional skills. “His name will certainly be heard even more in the future,” states the fest chief.
“Sad Tropics” is another notable film from the director which is highly anticipated to be released in 2022. The story will revolve around a mysterious nobleman, to be played by Kim Seonho, and an aspiring Filipino-Korean boxer, to be played by a rookie actor, Kang Tae-joo.
Fans are excited to see Kim Seonho in a dark character as it was reported that the nobleman will completely transform his acting into something different that the audience has never seen him performed before. He was pre-selected by the director for this role expressing his strong trust in what he can do as a skilled actor.
To get a feel of Park Junghoon’s “Sad Tropics”, here are three of his best works to watch while waiting for the Filipino-Korean film:
“Night In Paradise” (2020)
“Night In Paradise” is a crime-drama film, starring Jeon Yeo-been, Uhm Tae-goo, and Cha Seung-won. The story revolves around a revengeful mobster who escapes from a crime scene and meets a hopeless yet badass woman in an island.
Together they will embark a tragic and bloody story set in the beautiful Jeju island of Korea. Aside from the action scenes, the film draws attention to the impressive cinematography, lighting, color grading, and camera works.
Interestingly, it is reported to be the only Korean film to be invited to the 77th Venice International Film Festival in 2020. But due to the pandemic travel restrictions, Park Hoon-jung with the cast weren’t able to join the event. Nevertheless, the film had its world premiere in the said festival.
“Night In Paradise” received nominations at the 26th Chunsa Film Art Awards and 30th Buil Film Awards including Best Supporting Actor (Cha Seung-won), Best Actor (Uhn Taegoo), Best Actress (Jeon Yeo-been), Best Cinematography (Kim Young-ho), and Best Music (Mowg).
The 42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards also nominated Park Hoon-jung for Best Director, Jeon Yeo-been for Best Actress, as well as Best Music, Technical Award for Martial Arts, and Best Cinematography & Lighting. Awarding Ceremony will be held on November 26th at KBS Hall in Seoul.
“Night in Paradise” is available for streaming on Netflix.
“The Witch: Part 1 The Subversion” (2018)
“The Witch: Part 1 The Subversion” is a psychological-fantasy-thriller film starring Kim Da-mi, Jo Min-su, Choi Woo-shik, and Park Hee-soon. The story revolves around a special young girl with telekinetic ability and superpowers.
Residing anew in a faraway home as an ordinary, adopted yet loved daughter, her peaceful life begins to shatter as she meets the nobleman who brought her to a mysterious laboratory.
It’s a box office hit for Park Hoon-jung’s “The Witch: Part 1 The Subversion” as it was reported to sell more than 735,000 tickets from 1,117 screens in three days time. It also earned about US$6 million gross during its opening weekend to a total of US$24,377,666 within two months.
It also received several nominations from various award-giving bodies. Kim Dami, who portrayed the young girl with superpowers took home the “Best Actress” award at the 22nd Fantasia International Film Festival, 27th Buil Film Awards, 55th Grand Bell Awards, 2nd The Seoul Awards, 39th Blue Dragon Film Awards, 18th Director’s Cut Awards, and 10th KOFRA Film Awards. She also received the “Rising Star Award” at the 3rd London Asian Film Festival.
The film also took home the “Best Film Orient Express” at the 39th Fantasporto Film Festival and “Syfy Jury Prize” at the 2019 Gerardmer International Fantastic Film Festival.
“The Witch: Part 1 The Subversion” is available for streaming on Viu.
“V.I.P” (2017)
“V.I.P” is an R-rated crime-psychological-thriller film starring Lee Jong-suk, Jang Dong-gun, Kim Myung-min, and Park Hee-soon. The story revolves around a VIP son from North Korea who travels around the world suspected of committing serial murders. Investigation follows as South Korea, North Korea, and Interpol join forces to search and arrest him.
The film is another box office hit project of the director as it was reported to earn a gross income of US$1.17 million on the first day of opening. It also surpassed 1 million moviegoers within seven days.
Moreover, Park Hoon-jung won the “Best Director” for this film at the 2017 Fantastic Fest.
Other films of Park Hoon-jung include the following:
- 2010: I Saw the Devil, The Unjust
- 2011: The Showdown
- 2013: New World
- 2015: The Tiger: An Old Hunter’s Tale
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