Lee Jung-jae's film 'Hunt' to be screened at Cannes Film Festival

Lee Jung-jae [AFP/YONHAP]

“Hunt,” directed by actor-turned-filmmaker Lee Jung-jae of Netflix’s “Squid Game” (2021) was invited to screen at the 75th Cannes Film Festival. Lee and Jung Woo-sung, who features in Lee’s film, will step on the red carpet together.

The film was invited to screen at the Midnight Screening, a non-competitive section of the festival. Prior local films such as “A Bittersweet Life” (2005) by Kim Jee-woon, “The Chaser” by Na Hong-jin, “Train to Busan” (2016) by Yeon Sang-ho and “The Merciless” (2017) by Byun Seong-hyun have also been invited to screen in this section.

Lee participated in the screenplay, production and directing. He also features as a lead role.

The action film is set in the 1980s when Korea's military regime was at its peak. Lee plays elite agent Park Pyung-ho who works at the Agency for National Security Planning and chases after a North Korean spy while coming to terms with the truth about his country.

Jung portrays the role of Kim Jung-do, a rival and colleague of agent Park.

Lee is expected to head to Cannes for the world premiere of his film next month. The 75th edition will run from May 17 to 28.

Lee, already a well-beloved celebrity from the '90s, shot to global stardom with Netflix Korea’s “Squid Game," sweeping awards for his performance at American awards such as the 28th Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, 27th Critics’ Choice Awards and the 37th Film Independent Spirit Awards. Lee became the first Korean actor to win an award for his performance at the SAG awards.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]