The sci-fi action film is set in Hope Harbor, a remote village near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between South Korea and North Korea. When rumors of a tiger near the village surface, police chief Bum Seok (played by Hwang Jung Min) receives a warning, triggering panic among the residents. The situation quickly escalates into a mystery, forcing them to confront the unknown.
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Hwang Jung Min at the premiere of "Veteran 2," co-starring Jung Hae In. Photo: Max Movie |
Hwang Jung Min at the premiere of "Veteran 2," co-starring Jung Hae In. Photo: Max Movie
The project brings together a cast of Korean and Hollywood stars. Jo In Sung plays Sung Ki, a courageous local who pursues the dangerous creature into the forest. "Squid Game" actor Jung Ho Yeon makes her film debut as Sung Ae, an upright but inexperienced young police officer facing a crisis beyond her training. Four international actors—Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell, and Cameron Britton—portray extraterrestrial beings who arrive in Hope Harbor, adding to the chaos.
According to Variety, "Hope" is the largest-scale project in the career of "thriller master" Na Hong Jin, marking the filmmaker's return since "The Wailing" (2016). The film is currently in post-production and is set to premiere in the summer of 2026.
The news has generated significant interest and promises to make a new mark for Korean cinema in the international market. On X (formerly Twitter), some expressed hopes for the film's debut at one of the world's top three film festivals next year, including Cannes 2026.
Trailer for "The Battleship Island," starring Hwang Jung Min. Video: CJ Entertainment
Hwang Jung Min, 55, has been active in the entertainment industry since 1990 and is considered one of the most versatile actors in Korean cinema. His films "Ode to My Father," "Veteran," "The Himalayas," "A Violent Prosecutor," and "The Wailing" are all among the top 50 highest-grossing Korean films of all time. In 2017, he starred in "The Battleship Island" alongside Song Joong Ki and So Ji Sub. Three years later, Jung Min impressed audiences with his leading role in "Deliver Us from Evil" as a retired assassin who must protect his daughter.
In 2004, Hwang Jung Min married music producer Kim Mi Hye, and they have one son.
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The cast of "Hope," with Hwang Jung Min in the center. Photo: Plus M Entertainment |
The cast of "Hope," with Hwang Jung Min in the center. Photo: Plus M Entertainment
Na Hong Jin, 51, is a prominent director in Korean cinema, known for his gritty and experimental storytelling style. He has made his mark with films like "The Chaser" (2008), "The Yellow Sea" (2010), and "The Wailing" (2016). Following the success of these films, he has been dubbed a "master of fear." Na Hong Jin often blends crime, horror, and supernatural elements, reflecting human anxieties in the face of unseen forces.
Que Chi (Variety)
