Na Hong-jin Links 'Hope' to War Fears at Busan Masterclass

Na Hong-jin told a Busan International Film Festival masterclass audience that his upcoming project "Hope" originated from a 2017 conviction that war was imminent on the Korean peninsula. He recalled news reports at the time describing U.S. fighter jets and bombers flying over Pyongyang through the night, a atmosphere that seeded the film's conception.

The acclaimed director of "The Chaser" and "The Wailing" traced the roots of his previous features to similarly specific inspirations. He noted that "The Chaser" began with conversations overheard at a bar, while "The Wailing" drew heavily from his research into Korean shamanism and folklore.

Na's appearance at the festival offered a rare look into a creative process driven by real-world anxieties and cultural investigation. The masterclass highlighted how geopolitical tension and traditional belief systems have shaped the distinct, genre-blending tone of his filmography.

This brief draws on reporting from Variety.