Actor Ha Jung-woo shares his artistic world with exhibition at Hakgojae Gallery

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Actor Ha Jung-woo shares his artistic world with exhibition at Hakgojae Gallery

Published: 17 Oct. 2024, 14:24

YIM SEUNG-HYE
yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr

Actor Ha Jung-woo's artwork "Untitled" (2024) is exhibited at the Hakgojae Gallery in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul. [HAKGOJAE]

When Korean actor and director Ha Jung-woo's solo art exhibition opened on Wednesday at the Hakgojae Gallery in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul, many art aficionados were intrigued. Hakgojae is one of the major galleries in Korea that has been representing big-name artists like Nam June Paik, Lee Ufan and Yun Suknam. Its vision, according to the gallery, is to focus on "bridging between the past and the new" and has been organizing historical art exhibitions.

So, taking on a monthlong solo exhibition with works by a celebrity artist with no formal background in art came as a surprise.

Woo Chan-kyu, president of Hakgojae, said, however, that he's been eyeing "Ha Jung-woo's works and his artistic world for a decade now.” He added that he decided to hold the exhibition because he believes that Ha “could bring a fresh breeze to the art world.”

Actor Ha Jung-woo [HAKGOJAE]

Actor Ha Jung-woo's artwork "Untitled" (2024) is exhibited at Hakgojae Gallery in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul. [HAKGOJAE]

Actor Ha Jung-woo's artwork "Untitled" (2024) is exhibited at the Hakgojae Gallery in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul. [HAKGOJAE]

Woo added that Ha's works “will help broaden the horizons of Korean art, as he demonstrates that one can be an artist even without majoring in art.”

Ha's latest exhibition is his 14th solo exhibition, presenting 34 works all newly painted this year. It's titled “Never tell anybody outside the family,” which is a line from the iconic film "The Godfather” (1972). Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the line is spoken by Don Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando, as part of his advice to his son, emphasizing the importance of keeping family matters private.

Art critic Lee Jin-myung says Ha's decision to include this line in one of his paintings shows his desire to have a “true friend that he can share his closest stories with” and an opportunity to "encounter his true self within.”

"This is the world of painting for Ha Jung-woo. It's a place where everything can be shared and the true self can be awakened. For him, painting is not just another job but a gateway to an endless horizon,” said Lee.

Ha, who shot at least five films and directed one last year, said during a press conference held Wednesday, the first thing he does whenever he travels for shoots is to visit an art store to buy canvases, brushes and paints.

"Before shooting, I always paint first. I do not paint to hold exhibits or to sell my paintings. I paint because it allows me to escape from my thoughts. It comforts my soul and also helps me regain strength.”

Ha's exhibit "Never tell anybody outside the family" runs until Nov. 16 at the Hakgojae Gallery in central Seoul. [YIM SEUNG-HYE]

Ha's exhibit "Never tell anybody outside the family" runs until Nov. 16 at the Hakgojae Gallery in central Seoul. [HAKGOJAE]

The exhibit is largely divided into two sections — the carpet series, which is inspired by Persian carpets, and the tal series, which is inspired by Korean traditional masks.

Ha debuted as an actor in 2002 and rose to prominence after his breakout role as a psychopathic serial killer in the 2008 film “The Chaser.” He has starred in over 40 films. Some of his notable movies include “The Yellow Sea” (2010), “Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time” (2012), “Love Fiction” (2012), “The Berlin File” (2013), “The Terror Live” (2013) and “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds” (2017). Ha also made his debut as a director, helming "Roller Coaster" in 2013.

Ha's exhibit at the Hakgojae Gallery runs until Nov. 16.