Renowned director Jang Hang-jun, who recently soared past 14.8 million in cumulative audience numbers with his film “Wang wa saneun namja,” shared a candid and humorous story involving singer and actress IU.

On March 23, the YouTube channel ‘Bibotv’ released a video titled "The Secret of Low-Budget Independent Films: Jang Hang-jun, 'I grouped these two at 2.5 billion.'" In the episode, Jang announced that he would “return to his roots” by embarking on his next project—a low-budget independent film intended as a follow-up to “Wang wa saneun namja.” He appeared with a whiteboard packed with prospective lead actors, displaying a star-studded list: Ko Soo, Park Bo-gum, Jo In-sung, Ju Ji-hoon, Koo Kyo-hwan, Jung Hae-in, Lee Dong-wook, and Gong Yoo for male leads; Kim Tae-ri, Lim Ji-yeon, IU, Park Bo-young, Shin Hye-sun, Kim Ji-won, Shin Se-kyung, and Han Ji-min for female leads.

Jang, who was deliberating between Jo In-sung and Park Bo-gum, eventually chose Lee Jun-hyuk as the male lead following a timely phone call from the actor, who worked with Jang on “Wang wa saneun namja.” Reflecting on the casting process, Jang remarked, “I’m really grateful to IU. She’s so busy, but she was willing to take on a ‘double booking’ (filming two movies concurrently).” He continued with a laugh, saying, “But among Chungmuro filmmakers, that’s not the proper etiquette. I told her, ‘Let’s work together another time,’ and politely declined.”

The video also highlighted “The Fortress of Acting,” a mockumentary variety show conceptualized, directed, written, and performed by Lim Hyung-joon and starring Kim Eui-sung. The program blends reality and fiction, drawing from real conversations between actors. Notably, the video begins with the disclaimer, “This content is 100% fictional.”

Jang Hang-jun’s “Wang wa saneun namja,” released last month, has set a new record as the third highest-grossing film ever in Korea, with expectations it will surpass 15 million ticket sales this week. Previously branded as the “icon of reckless promises” due to his bold industry pledges, Jang has since promised audiences, “I’ll be more careful with my words in the future,” vowing to exercise more caution moving forward.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=MHN DB, Channel Bibotv

(MHN 관리자 )

 

 

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