American audiences know Lee Jung-jae as the Emmy Award-winning actor on Netflix‘s “Squid Game.” However, in his home country of South Korea, he’s arguably better known for his directing. And what a resume Jung-jae has, full of actioners, period pieces, and thrillers. Now, his latest, “Hunt,” hits American theaters this December, fresh off its world premiere out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
“Hunt” follows a mole hunt for a North Korean spy whose misdeeds may lead to an assassination attempt against the president of South Korea. Based on true events from the 1980s, the movie stars Jung-jae as a KCIA agent embroiled in a high-stakes political game.
Here’s the film’s official synopsis, courtesy of Magnolia Pictures:
After a high-ranking North Korean official requests asylum, KCIA Foreign Unit chief Park Pyong-ho and Domestic Unit chief Kim Jung-do are tasked with uncovering a North Korean spy, known as Donglim, who is deeply embedded within their agency. When the spy begins leaking top secret intel that could jeopardize national security, the two units are each assigned to investigate each other. In this tense situation where if they cannot find the mole, they may be accused themselves, Pyong-ho and Jung-do slowly start to uncover the truth. In the end, they must deal with an unthinkable plot to assassinate the South Korean president…
Alongside Jung-jae, “Hunt” also stars Jeon Hye Jin, Heo Sung Taeb, Go Youn Jung, Kim Jong Soo, Jung Man Sik, and Jung Woo-Sung. Jung-jae also co-writes the film’s script with Jo Seung-Hee, and co-produces the film with Han Jae-duk.
“Hunt” premiered in the Midnight Screening selection of Cannes, where it received a seven-minute standing ovation. The film also screened at TIFF for its North American premiere. Jung-jae re-edited the film for its premiere at TIFF, but it retained its original cut for its South Korean theatrical release.
Lee Jung-jae’s turn on “Squid Game” already made him a household name for Netflix subscribers. But will “Hunt” begin recognition of his directorial talents stateside? Find out when the film hits theaters and VOD on December 2. Watch a trailer for “Hunt” below.
