Must-Watch Movies of Jung Hae-in
Features the famed Korean actor’s significant films from his varied filmography, including some of his many memorable roles
Jung Hae-in for 'I, The Executioner,' Promotion/Showcase. Photo: courtesy of HanCinema.
Conspiracy: The Age of Rebellion, or The Age of Blood (2017), caught my eye lately. Jung Hae-in plays Kim Ho, a legendary swordsman, and the king’s erstwhile security personnel, now a jail guard, in director Kim Hong-seon’s Sageuk war action film playing out in the days of Joseon. It’s about this rebel group’s inciting outrage against the king to depose him. But for that, they must first put up with Kim Ho to free its captive leader.
Jung blends effortlessly into the character’s skin—unleashing his valor, unfettered skills, and spirit to rise to the challenge—to eliminate all threats to the king’s safety. And he’s just on fire in the bloody opus—the realism of the portrayal, the character immersion, everything makes him a big deal in the role.
Once more going over that instinctual acting is his forte, Jung’s popularity took off through Tune in for Love (2019). His role in the film, which got him a Popularity Award at the London East Asia Film Festival (2019) and the 56th Grand Bell Award for Best New Actor (2020) in tandem with multiple nods, offers great chemistry with co-star Kim Go-eun and his first-rate performance, digging into emotions—moping over, gloom, a dark past, and struggles in between.
Director Jung Ji-woo’s bittersweet sentimental feature is the love of Cha Hyun-woo (Jung) and Kim Mi-soo (Kim Go-eun), entwined with the tensions of youth and the 1997 IMF Crisis. Time is instrumental in this romance, ruling harshly while also healing as they keep connecting and drifting apart intermittently.
Jung’s prowess can be seen in a distinct light in director Choi Jung-yeol’s comedy-drama film Start-Up, which succeeded Tune in for Love that same year. While it may not have been a box-office smash, it’s still a beautiful, uplifting encounter. The story primarily chronicles two best friends as they navigate the peaks and troughs of maturity through an uphill battle while grappling with circumstances.
Jung has Woo Sang-pil, who, in his desperate need to find work, takes a job in the lending sector. He’s akin to Jung in that the actor’s unmistakable presence on screen shapes the essence of Sang-pil. Start-Up is all fun but also replete with emotions, excitement, and valuable realities. Worth watching.
The actor’s next, I, The Executioner (Veteran 2), alongside “the” Hwang Jung-min, was Jung Hae-in’s debut on the Cannes red carpet this year.
I, The Executioner, was screened at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in its “Out of Competition” category within the midnight sessions. Director Ryoo Seung-wan’s high-octane action movie follows the dogged hunt for criminals by expert detective Seo Do-cheol (Hwang) and his colleagues at the Major Crimes Investigation Division. In the process, Park Sun-woo (Jung) is reached to assist when a nasty serial killer is terrorizing the neighborhood.
Veteran (2015)’s sequel, I, The Executioner, hints at more suspense and violence as Do-cheol and Sun-woo pursue the culprit. It represents criminals playing on society’s poor assessment and awareness. The killing of a professor suggests a serial killer camped close by, who teases those investigating with the info of the next target; enters the picture, Sun-woo central to the case in response to the situation.
The film’s theatrical release date is September 13.
