Jung Woo Sung does not consider himself a lucky guy when it comes to awards but his most recent role as James in the film “Cold Eyes” could change that.
The film, which opened on July 3, did well at the box office. It sold almost five million tickets and is headed for the Toronto International Film Festival in September for a Gala Presentation. The film’s cast, which also includes So Kyung Gu, Han Hyo Joo, and idol actor Junho of the band 2PM will attend the red carpet event.
“Cold Eyes” is the story of a police surveillance team that takes down a gang of criminals. Sol Khyung Gu plays Detective Hwang, the leader of the surveillance team and Han Hyo Joo is the newest member. While she takes her detective test, James and his gang are robbing a bank.
It’s Jung Woo Sung’s first bad guy role in a long career that began when he played a melancholy young man in “Beat” 26 years ago. His “Cold Eyes” performance could win him a best supporting actor award.
“They say I did a good job but I haven’t been too lucky with awards,” said the star of the comedy “Mutt Boy,” the films “A Moment To Remember” and “The Good, The Bad and The Weird” as well as the dramas “Athena” and “Padam, Padam.”
After starring in so many films and dramas, some fans are surprised that his role in “Cold Eyes” is only a supporting one.
“People around me were concerned that James is a supporting character and it’s my first villain role but both the film and the character are satisfying enough for me,” said Jung Woo Sung. “I’m hearing a lot of good things about it.”
While James is not a leading role, Jung Woo Sung says he is a pivotal character, one that is important to the success of the story. It’s detective Ha Yoon Ju’s interactions with James that help her to grow.
“The tension in the film was going to be dependent on who played James,” said Jung Woo Sung. “It’s a good story but James is the key to whether the movie is interesting or not.”
“Cold Eyes” will be the third Korean movie presented at the Toronto Film Festival in a Gala Presentation.” The second was “The Good, The Bad and The Weird,” which Jung Woo Sung also starred in. Check out the trailer below: