Double life, detective wife: Actor Hwang Jung-min gears up for explosive action in 'Mission: Cross'

Movies

Double life, detective wife: Actor Hwang Jung-min gears up for explosive action in 'Mission: Cross'

Published: 05 Aug. 2024, 16:12 Updated: 05 Aug. 2024, 18:05

KIM JI-YE
kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr

From left, actors Hwang Jung-min, Yum Jung-ah and director Lee Myung-hoon pose for a photo during a press conference for Netflix's upcoming action comedy film ″Mission: Cross″ in Jung District, central Seoul, on Monday. [NEWS1]

Start off with a stay-at-home dad trying to hide his agent past from his veteran detective wife, mix it in with a little bit of action and comedy and you get Netflix's latest Korean original "Mission: Cross."

Netflix original film “Mission: Cross,” directed by Lee Myung-hoon, revolves around Kang-mu, a former agent-turned-househusband, hiding his previous life from his wife, Mi-seon, a veteran detective. Kang-mu becomes involved in a mission to help his former colleague Hee-ju, which leads his wife to become suspicious of their relationship and later gets entangled in a risky situation.

“When the two characters come together as one, it leads to thrilling actions, while their moments of discord bring about delightful comedy,” director Lee said during a press conference held in Jung District, central Seoul, on Monday ahead of the film's release on Netflix on Aug. 9.

The cast includes veteran actors Hwang Jung-min, playing Kang-mu, Yum Jung-ah, playing Mi-seon, and Jeon Hye-jin as Hee-ju.

A still from Netflix upcoming action comedy film ″Mission: Cross″ [NETFLIX]

The idea of the film started off from a personal question the director had when he got married.

"During my wedding, the celebrant said that dating is about facing each other, while marriage is about walking together, looking in the same direction,” director Lee said. “This speech raised a question for me about married couples getting the chance to face each other, if they’re always looking [toward] the same direction. I wanted to find the answer for this question by writing a script based on it.”

As the film was derived from the question regarding marriage, the main characters are also a married couple, which is different from other action films on the market, according to the director.

“Most films center on male duos creating a bromance in the film,” the director said. “But ‘Mission: Cross' is a romantic action film following the journey of a male and female couple exchanging dynamic energy.”

A still from Netflix upcoming action comedy film ″Mission: Cross″ [NETFLIX]

Actor Hwang, who appeared in numerous action films with male partners, such as “The Point Men” (2023) and “Deliver Us From Evil” (2020), admitted that he wondered how the chemistry would turn out when he meets a female partner in an action film.

Yum, who plays Hwang's wife, had to hold a gun and learn action for her character, who is also an Asian Games medalist. The actor said this was much more difficult than simply doing seaside labor in a recent episode of tvN’s variety show “Fresh off the Sea.”

“Doing front and back rolls was the most challenging for me when I practiced action moves at an action school,” she said.

Hwang also revealed a little secret about the film that the audience should look forward to regarding one of his previous Netflix series, “Narco-Saints” (2022).

A still from Netflix upcoming action comedy film ″Mission: Cross″ [NETFLIX]

“All the actors just hope that the project will be successful upon its release,” Hwang said. “I just wish for the audience to laugh and enjoy the film. In fact, the film has also something to do with ‘Narco-Saints.’”

Director Lee showed his confidence in the film, saying the film has everything entertaining and nothing boring.

“It’s a film that gives you the thrill of hitting the lottery when you least expect it,” Hwang added.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]