Director Na Hong-jin, Zo In-sung, and Jung Hoyeon, the leading figures of the film "HOPE," met local audiences directly through North American promotions.
Kicking off on Monday, September 7, the North American promotional tour for "HOPE" has visited major North American cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, and San Francisco, further heightening interest in the film.
The red carpet event at the New York screening, attended by Director Na Hong-jin, Zo In-sung, and Jung Hoyeon, saw a continuous stream of local media and fans eager to meet the stars in person, highlighting the intense interest surrounding the work. Director Na Hong-jin, Zo In-sung, and Jung Hoyeon responded to the enthusiastic support from local press and fans with bright smiles, elevating the atmosphere at the venue.
During the subsequent stage greeting and Q&A session with the audience, rich discussions about the film unfolded, ranging from the original worldview of "HOPE" to the action sequences that delivered unputdownable immersion. Director Na Hong-jin shared the background of the film's creation and behind-the-scenes production stories, stating, "I made this movie because I wanted to see it in the theater. I didn't want it to be a film within the predictable range for the audience, so when it seemed like they would predict what's next, I edited and designed it by changing genres or adding comedy."
Zo In-sung expressed his strong trust in Director Na Hong-jin, saying, "I took on the role because I desperately wanted to work with Director Na Hong-jin." Meanwhile, Jung Hoyeon drew the audience's attention by sharing her thoughts on the filming process, stating, "It was an enjoyable project because I was able to try many things I hadn't done before and expand my imagination."
Following New York, the special meetings with local audiences continued in LA and Chicago, and Director Na Hong-jin is scheduled to visit Austin and San Francisco in turn to meet audiences at local theaters.
Released across North America on the 9th, "HOPE" recorded 5 million dollars in revenue in its opening week alone. The release scale spanned 1,560 screens across North America. This marks the largest North American release scale for a Korean film since "Parasite," proving the high local interest and expectations for the film.
In particular, as it is unprecedented for a non-English Asian live-action film to break into the top 10 of the North American weekend box office, "HOPE" demonstrated high competitiveness in the North American market by recording box office revenues of around 5 million dollars in its opening week.
Enthusiastic praise from influential local media outlets has also followed the North American release of "HOPE." The New York Times praised Director Na Hong-jin's unmatched directing skills, stating, "Director Na Hong-jin transforms high-speed driving, racing, and even a horseback riding scene into something as elegant as ballet," while the San Francisco Chronicle commended, "The master's touch evident in pacing, twists, and action."
The Daily Beast praised the nonstop, fast-paced action, stating, "Overwhelming imagination and artistry with an unstoppable drive," and Chicago Reader lauded, "Effectively elevates the film's energy through continuous movement."
"HOPE" begins as Beom-seok, the head of the Hopohang branch office located in the Demilitarized Zone, hears news from local youths about the appearance of a tiger, throwing the entire village into a state of emergency as he encounters an unbelievable reality. Released in July, the film drew 4.65 million moviegoers domestically.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)