[Photo&] Jang Woo Stars, Co-Directs, and Co-Writes—Film “Jjang-gu” “Breeze” Sequel Returns After 15 Years with an On-Site Media Preview Event

Raw, Unfiltered Youth—Announcing the Arrival of the Film “Jjang-gu”

On the 16th, at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, the film “Jjang-gu” held a successful media preview and press conference. Directed by Oh Sung-ho and starring Jang Woo, Shin Seung-ho, Jung Soo-jung, Kwon So-hyun, and Jo Beom-gyu, the team kicked off the project. As the follow-up to “Breeze”, the 2009 masterpiece that swept the Republic of Korea, this film tells the intense Seoul survival story of “Jjang-gu,” a man from Busan who refuses to give up even after 99 failed auditions. In a harsh reality where even paying the electricity bill is difficult, along with a tangled dating history, the movie captures the struggles of youth with insight that’s neither heavy nor light—confirming the prestige of last year’s invitation to the Busan International Film Festival.

Co-Directed, Co-Written, and Starring—Jang Woo Projects His Own Life onto the Screen

The heart of this work is, without question, Jang Woo. He took on a triple role—co-directing, co-writing, and starring—then poured his own real-life experiences into the film. While not every character is based on a real person, as he put it, starting from “my experiences and emotions,” the many failed-audition episodes that appear in the story were adapted from the bitter reality he lived through as an actor. In particular, the moment when he performs an audition act in front of Director Jang Hang-jun, who served as a judging panel member for his first-ever audition film, delivered a layered mix of feelings that even the actor himself couldn’t fully contain—maximizing the movie’s authenticity.

Shin Seung-ho · Jung Soo-jung · Kwon So-hyun · Jo Beom-gyu—A Perfect Ensemble Boosts the Overall Quality

A cast with solid acting chops is Jjang-gu’s greatest strength. Led by Jang Woo, Shin Seung-ho, Jung Soo-jung, and Kwon So-hyun, the film portrays youth in all its varied forms, each character colored by the performers’ distinct presence—deepening the audience’s immersion in the story. In addition, Hyun Bong-sik and Jo Beom-gyu, joining as supporting cast and stealing scenes with their standout performances, complete an airtight ensemble. What’s more, the cameo by Son Byung-ho, which adds weight to the drama, and Director Jang Hang-jun, whose involvement amplifies the meaning of the work, provide audiences with unexpected fun and plenty to look forward to.

A Self-Portrait of Youth—Fragile Yet Brilliant—Main Poster for “Jjang-gu”

The poster for “Jjang-gu” shows the face of youth head-on—anxious and awkward, yet refusing to give up. The protagonist’s ruthless but buoyant energy, shouting “Once again,” even after stumbling onto unfamiliar ground in Seoul, comes through clearly. Beyond simple comedy, the film also delivers, visually, a heavy message of comfort and empathy for every young person in this era running toward their dreams.

“Jjang-gu” Still Cuts Where Raw Emotions Breathe—Expectations at Their Peak

The still cuts capture the vivid expressions of characters who never lose their spark even amid harsh reality. The pathos that builds through awkward Seoul phrasing and everyday life that won’t go their way will leave a lasting resonance with audiences. Anticipation is high for a finely made youth drama shaped by an authentic story and standout performances.