Director Na Hong-jin’s new film Hope has reportedly cut actor Park Young-gyu’s scenes from the theatrical release, sparking controversy.
On the 7th, film journalist Im Soo-yeon said in a YouTube video reviewing Hope, "The Cannes Film Festival version and the theatrical cut are slightly different." They added, "Park Young-gyu had scenes at Cannes, but in the release cut, his part is completely gone. Director Na is still revising the CG that’s been the subject of ongoing discussion."
Afterward, Na said in an interview, "(Regarding Park Young-gyu’s role being cut) I was about to call him, but the article came out first."
Meanwhile, the issue is drawing heated reactions across social media and online communities. Many called it disrespectful to Park Young-gyu, a veteran stage actor who debuted in 1973 and has worked for over four decades. Comments include, "A complete cut is too much," "I was excited, but this is such a buzzkill," and "There’s been too much noise around this film even before release."
Meanwhile, Hope is Na Hong-jin’s first feature since 'The Wailing'. The film follows Beom-seok (played by Hwang Jung-min), the head of the Hopo Port outpost near the DMZ, who hears from village youths about a tiger sighting—plunging the entire village into an emergency. It opens on the 15th.