Jung Ho-yeon Drives a Stella for a Drift…Hyundai in Na Hong-jin’s Film “Hope” Releases Behind-the-Scenes Action Video “Sung-ae”

Na Hong-jin, the director who represents Korea’s unmatched auteur tradition, has finally unveiled his new film Hope (HOPE). Released on Jan. 15, the movie seized theaters immediately, and it is a science fiction action thriller that depicts a desperate human battle against an unknown presence in the remote village of Hopo Harbor near the Demilitarized Zone. What especially grabs public attention in this installment is an astonishing car-chase sequence created by actor Jung Ho-yeon and the classic car Stella from the 1980s. The newly released action-behind-the-scenes video, the “Sung-ae” edition, captures their intense on-set record in vivid detail, placing them at the center of the buzz.

A Meeting of Nostalgia and Destructive Action, the Mise-en-Scène Completed by the Stella

Set against the backdrop of the 1980s, the 1983 Hyundai Stella appears in the film as the police car for Beom-seok (Hwang Jung-min) and Sung-ae (Jung Ho-yeon), demonstrating an impact far beyond a mere prop. This classic car speeds while spewing out worn-out engine sounds, taking the lead in the pulse of a tense pursuit sequence, while also serving as a decisive metaphor that maximizes the eerie mood that runs throughout the movie and the depth of its narrative.

Above all, it is the sheer drive of Jung Ho-yeon. He showed relentless determination to obtain a Class 1 manual driving license in order to handle this challenging car-chase scene without using a double. In the video, he is seen gripping the Stella steering wheel himself and executing advanced driving techniques flawlessly, including unbridled drifting and J-turns—proof that he is exactly the actor the entire world is watching right now.

Director Na Hong-jin, who has proven limitless directing power through The Chaser, Yellow Sea, and 哭聲, pulled off a major feat with this Hope (HOPE): an official invitation to the competitive section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival. At the time of the world premiere screening, critics gave a standing ovation for the overwhelming scale of the car pursuit sequence, and this behind-the-scenes video shines a light on the primal connection between the actor and the machine hidden behind that praise.

Meanwhile, the moves by Hyundai Motor that sponsored this project also draw attention. Rather than simple PPL, it is rolling out a high-level cultural marketing strategy that embeds its heritage and cultural values into the minds of global audiences. From the short film Night Fishing to Bedford Park, which won a special award from the jury of the SUNDANCE Film Festival, their innovative attempts to break down the boundaries between cars and art elevate the brand’s stature to a new level.