Ha Jung Woo Is Happy To Be Directing Ha Ji Won

Ha Jung Woo is very happy that he will direct actress Ha Ji Won in his new film "Chronicles of a Blood Merchant." He wanted her to star in his film so badly that he personally persuaded her.

"I've always wanted to act with Ha Ji Won," he said of the "Empress Ki" and "Secret Garden" star. "I think that she is one of the most gifted actresses of our time."

It will be Ha Jung Woo's second time as a director. Last year he wrote the screenplay for and directed the comedy "Fasten Your Seatbelt." Besides his 2013 directorial effort, he also appeared in two films, "The Berlin File" and "Terror Live." His film career has remained consistently busy for a decade although he has not appeared in a drama since "H.I.T" in 2007.

Unlike his last directorial effort, Ha Jung Woo's new film, "Chronicles of a Blood Merchant," will not be a comedy. The film's story is based on a 1995 Chinese novel about a cart pusher who helps support his family by selling his blood. Besides directing the film and acting in it, Ha Jung Woo also wrote the screenplay.

After he finished filming his latest role in the 2014 film  "Kundo: Age of the Rampant," the actor-director spent time in Hawaii adapting the Yu Hua novel into a contemporary Korean setting. The book was considered one of the last decade's most influential Chinese novels, but it was originally set during the time of China's Cultural Revolution, which lasted from 1966 to 1976.

The novel's main character, Heo Sam Kwan, faces many hardships. He cannot earn enough money pushing his cart to feed his family. At first he only adds to his income by selling blood but then his visits become dangerously frequent. Then he discovers his favorite son was actually fathered by his neighbor. His wife is scorned for her infidelity. Now his family must cope with poverty and shame. Ultimately, he must find the strength to endure in his family.

Ha Jung Woo will play Heo Sam Kwan. Ha Ji Won will play Heo Ok Ran, his wife. Heo Ok Ran was considered the prettiest woman in her village before she married Sam Kwan and had three children.

The film's cast also includes Sung Dong Il, Jung Man Shik, Kim Sung Kyun, Kim Young Ae, Kim Ki Chun and Kim Byung Wook.

Filming begins later this year after the conclusion of Ha Ji Won's drama "Empress Ki."