▲ Actor Ha Jung-woo poses for photos at the media conference for upcoming film "Hijacking" held at CGV Yongsan in Seoul on May 22, 2024. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- "I've played many characters struggling in confined spaces before, but this one was the most challenging," said actor Ha Jung-woo at a production briefing held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul on the 22nd.

 

The film 'Hijacking,' set to be released on the 21st of next month, is a thriller that portrays an extreme situation when a passenger plane is hijacked over South Korea in 1971. Ha Jung-woo plays Tae-in, the co-pilot responsible for the passengers' safety.

 

Ha Jung-woo explained that the compelling and dramatic script was a significant factor in his decision to take on the role. He has previously portrayed characters dealing with crises in limited spaces in films such as 'The Terror Live' (2013), 'Tunnel' (2016), and 'PMC: The Bunker' (2018).

 

However, he confessed that 'Hijacking' was about 20 times more challenging than his previous works. He had to manage the unfolding events in the cabin, meet the hijacker's unreasonable demands, and fight for the passengers' safety all at once.

 

The film is based on the real-life 1971 attempted hijacking of a Korean Air F27 aircraft. A young man in his twenties from Goseong, Gangwon Province, named Kim Sang-tae, attempted to hijack the plane with around 60 passengers on board and fly it to North Korea.

 

▲ From Left: Actors Seong Dong-il, Chae Soo-bin, director Kim Seong-han, actors Yeo Jin-goo and Ha Jung-woo pose for photos at the media conference for upcoming film "Hijacking" held at CGV Yongsan in Seoul on May 22, 2024. (Yonhap)

 

Director Kim Sung-han shared, "When I first heard about this incident, it sounded so cinematic that I suggested to writer Kim Kyung-chan that we make it into a movie. Fortunately, I was able to take on the direction of the project." Kim Sung-han, who has worked as an assistant director on significant films such as 'Asura' (2016), '1987: When the Day Comes' (2017), and 'Ashfall' (2019), makes his directorial debut with 'Hijacking.'

 

Actor Yeo Jin-goo plays the terrorist Yong-dae, marking his first role as a villain since his debut. Yeo Jin-goo, who had always wanted to try a villainous role, said, "I also changed my appearance to show a rougher side that I hadn't shown before. Sometimes, my emotions would get so intense during filming that I would act out violently," he laughed.

 

▲ Actor Yeo Jin-goo speaks during a media conference for upcoming film "Hijacking" held at CGV Yongsan in Seoul on May 22, 2024. (Yonhap)

 

Ha Jung-woo, who worked with Yeo Jin-goo for the first time, commented, "The real Yeo Jin-goo was very different from the image I had of him. He has grown into a very manly and impressive actor."

 

Veteran actor Sung Dong-il plays the experienced captain Kyu-sik, reuniting with Ha Jung-woo after 15 years since their film 'Take Off' (2009). Sung Dong-il also has a history with Yeo Jin-goo, having played his father in the drama 'I Want to Love' (2006).

 

Sung Dong-il remarked, "There is often an expectation that I will bring some humor, but 'Hijacking' is a terrifying situation where no jokes can be made," hinting at a significant shift in his acting approach.

 

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]