“Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae bends his cinematic powers with “Hunt,” a spy thriller he wrote, directed, produced and also starred in.
Lee’s directorial and screenwriting debut made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it is screened out of competition.
The fast-paced, action-packed film revolves around two South Korean spies tasked with discovering a North Korean mole and ending up exploring each other in the process.
Lee, 49, stars as one of the spies opposite his longtime friend and collaborator, Jung Woo-Sung.
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He said his nearly three-decade career was a big help when he was left behind.
“I’ve played in a lot of different genres and I could remember scenes I shot as an actor that were hard to shoot or that didn’t come out as I expected,” he told Reuters in Cannes.
“I tried to remember these scenes when I was writing the script to make sure I could be as effective as possible when directing.”
Lee made his debut, leading the way to the success of his Netflix series, which became the world’s most popular show, and the triumph of other Korean TV shows, movies, and music around the world.
“I am so grateful to be making my directorial debut during this renaissance of Korean culture,” Lee said.
“I hope to meet more international audiences and fans with other films and content as well.”
Asked which of the many hats he wore in his work he liked best, Lee did not hesitate.
“Of course acting. I’m an actor. It ‘s my identity. So, I liked acting more.”
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