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| Actor Ha Jung-woo took the lead role and co-produced the new disaster film "Ashfall," which is set during a fictional volcanic eruption of Mount Paektu. Courtesy of CJ ENM |
When it comes to filmmaking, actor Ha Jung-woo has a handful of duties around the set beyond just acting.
Known for his macho, masculine roles in "Take Point" (2018) and "Along with the Gods" (2017), the 42-year-old has been widening his duties in the film industry as producer and director. He made his directorial debut in 2013 with comedy flick "Fasten Your Seatbelt" and has produced numerous films including "A Single Rider" (2016).
This time, the actor took on the roles of a hero against impending catastrophe and a co-producer for the disaster action film "Ashfall," which premiered last Thursday.
The film is set in a fictional disaster where volcanic Mount Paektu, located on the North Korea-China border, is about to erupt.
Noting that disaster film scripts usually catch his eye, the actor expressed that he was drawn to this film in particular because the story was about an existing active volcanic.
"The topic of the disaster itself was plausible since it has been brought up in Korea previously. And to put it in a film with cinematic imagination sounded very interesting," Ha said during the interview with The Korea Times, Friday, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.
"Especially, Mount Paektu is not a place where you can visit easily, so I felt there would be more stories to it and felt more drawn."
The story revolves around explosive disposal specialist Cho In-chang (Ha) on a mission to stop the imminent explosion with the help of North Korean double agent Rhee Jun-pyung (Lee Byung-hun) who has been imprisoned in North Korea.
Ha said he wanted badly for Lee to take the role from the start. He sent the script to Lee, who was shooting the hit drama "Mr. Sunshine" at the time, and made a personal call to make sure he read it.
"I wanted to work with him, in anything honestly," the actor said. "So, I was looking for ways to work together. Then, I found out about the Ashfall project and contacted him first."
Adding that Lee was the right person to share the burden of leading a film, Ha expressed the chemistry between the two worked out very well, especially with Lee's passionate energy in acting.
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| A scene from the film showing agent Cho In-chang (Ha) with North Korean double agent Rhee Jun-pyung (Lee Byung-hun). Courtesy of CJ ENM |
As he noted, the two lead the film with a cat-and-mouse relationship between the secretive North Korean and South Korean agents forming a borderless, risky friendship as they travel towards Mount Paektu for their own goals.
However, the film puts much emphasis on the two characters' relationship, touching on a sense of humor as they throw jokes at each other, and the emotion as they share stories of their personal lives. As the film is set while a volcanic eruption is imminent, some reporters raised questions about whether it is appropriate to put such emphasis on their inner lives.
When asked, the actor answered that this was much needed, and what made this film realistic.
"Being in fear for 24 hours is not going to solve the catastrophe. People might adapt in the situation as time pass," he said. "So I think a person can make jokes to another who's terrified just like you to try shaking off that fear a little."
With over 40 films in his filmography, the actor is relentless in taking part in films. Another film "Closet" that he produced and starred in is set to hit theaters beginning next year.
He has been shooting the film "Boston 1947" since September and is scheduled to start shooting another film he is also producing in March.
For reasons he continues to expand his work beyond just acting, he said he hopes to express more freely and breathe life into his art.
"As an actor, I appear in tent-pole movies. But as a producer-director, I feel like working on low-budget films filled with wit and imagination, which came as I straightened my identity as a director this year," he said.
Regarding the driving force behind his endless efforts, he noted it is his love for films. "I'm thankful to live as an actor and to take part in making films. And that appreciation and affection allowed me to be here to this day," he said. "Of course I hit bumps and hurdles along the way, but I'm glad I still get to be in this field."
About 16 years since his debut with "Madeleine" (2003), the actor feels he has more responsibilities as one of the experienced actors on set.
"At one point, I started to feel I've become one of the more experienced actors on set," he said. "And I started to feel how my actions and attitude would affect others, and how I should set an example and take responsibility by working more fittingly."
He added that he continues to seek to progress as a filmmaker and an actor.
"I hope next year is better than this year and hope this work will be better than the previous one. Not in terms of box office scores, but in expressing and interpreting (characters) as an actor," he said.
"Ashfall" has sold 2 million tickets as of Monday.
