Korean stars join Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender in ‘Hope’

Award-winning Korean actors Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Hoyeon have joined Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender in the cast of upcoming thriller Hope.

The Korean feature is directed by Na Hong-jin, marking his first film since The Wailing in 2016, and is backed by Korean producer-distributor Plus M Entertainment.

Hwang starred in The Wailing, which played at Cannes, and is also known for Netflix’s Narco-Saints, Cannes 2022 title Hunt and Berlin 2023 feature Kill Boksoon.

Zo is known for roles in war epic The Great Battle and more recently Escape From Mogadishu, while Hoyeon was a breakout star of Netflix’s Squid Game, for which she received an Emmy nomination and won best outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series at the SAG Awards. Hope will mark her feature debut.

The film follows the residents of Hopo Port, where a mysterious discovery is made on the outskirts of the remote harbour town. Before long, the residents find themselves in a desperate fight for survival against something they have never encountered before.

It is not yet known what roles Oscar winner Vikander and Oscar nominee Fassbender will play in the largely Korean-language film, but Hwang will play a village police officer while Zo takes on the role of a young hunter.

Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, known for his work on Oscar winner Parasite and Cannes Competition title Burning, is also on board. It marks his second collaboration with Na after The Wailing.

Plus M Entertainment recently signed a financing and distribution deal with director Na, who is also known for The Chaser and The Yellow Sea, which respectively played at Cannes in 2008 and 2011. Hope will be produced under Na’s own Forged Films and in pre-production, with filming set to begin in Korea later this year.

Plus M will manage international sales while UTA Independent Film Group and Plus M will handle North America sales.