'Bogotá: The Land of Last Chances' - Song Joong-ki Takes on Fatherhood and a New Role

On June 6, a production briefing for the film 'Bogotá: The Land of Last Chances' was held at the Megabox COEX in Seoul, featuring lead actors Song Joong-ki, Lee Hee-joon, Kwon Hae-hyo, Park Ji-hwan, Jo Hyun-cheol, Kim Jong-soo, and director Kim Sung-jae.

'Bogotá: The Land of Last Chances' (directed by Kim Sung-jae, produced by Plus M Entertainment and co-produced by Su-bak Films and Edioplan) tells the story of Koreans who turn to the smuggling market in Bogotá, Colombia, a place chosen by those with no hope left. The film has been officially invited to the 'Korean Cinema Today - Special Premiere' section of the 29th Busan International Film Festival, marking its first presentation to domestic audiences.

Song Joong-ki, known for his diverse roles from a mafia lawyer in 'Vincenzo' to a secretary managing a conglomerate's family in 'The Youngest Son of a Conglomerate', portrays the character Guk-hee, a young man who dreams of rising from the lowest to the highest. After fleeing to Bogotá with his family post-IMF crisis, he works under Park Byeong-jang, a powerful figure in the Korean community and a major player in the smuggling market. Guk-hee demonstrates strong survival instincts as he seeks to return to Korea, gradually establishing his place within the Korean community in Bogotá.

Ahead of the film's release, Song Joong-ki celebrated a personal milestone as his wife, Katie, gave birth to their second daughter last month, making him a father of two young siblings. He shared the joy of his newborn's arrival with a surprise photo from Rome.

Reflecting on the film's setting, Song Joong-ki noted, "What caught my attention in the script wasn't the location itself, but the conflicts among Koreans, particularly those who have settled abroad. I was curious about how these conflicts would play out against the exotic backdrop of Bogotá. It turned out as well as I had hoped."

Describing his character, he explained, "The character evolves with age and circumstances. I think Guk-hee is one of the most ambitious characters I've played. His desire is simple: he needs to survive, which can also be seen as a sense of responsibility. The beginning and end of my journey in this film revolve around the character played by Kim Jong-soo, who portrays my father. The stakes are high, and that sense of responsibility drives me."

Song Joong-ki also experimented with his appearance for the role, stating, "I usually don't like wearing accessories, but while preparing for 'Bogotá', I observed Colombian people and thought about trying earrings or cutting my hair short. The costume director was on the same page, which led to many first-time experiences for me."

He expressed gratitude towards his senior, Kim Jong-soo, saying, "He has a significant presence in my life. We started filming together in Bogotá, and I found a lot of motivation through our deep conversations about fatherhood. He encouraged me to express myself freely, which was very reassuring."

Having learned Spanish after Italian, Song Joong-ki admitted, "Honestly, it was challenging, but I found it very enjoyable once I started. The unique rhythm of Spanish was captivating. I even picked up some phrases related to food, which I used frequently on set."

As he portrayed a character from his teens to his thirties, Song Joong-ki acknowledged the pressure of playing a younger role but felt grateful for the audience's positive reception.

Lee Hee-joon plays the second-in-command in the Korean smuggling market, Kwon Hae-hyo portrays the powerful Park Byeong-jang, Park Ji-hwan plays Park Byeong-jang's nephew, Jo Hyun-cheol is Guk-hee's rival, and Kim Jong-soo plays Guk-hee's father.

Lee Hee-joon shared his excitement about the film's fresh take on the Korean smuggling narrative, while Song Joong-ki humorously referred to Lee's character as resembling Freddie Mercury.

When asked about their chemistry, Lee Hee-joon reflected on the inexplicable bond between their characters, while Jo Hyun-cheol showcased his Spanish skills on set, earning applause.

Director Kim Sung-jae praised the cast, stating, "After editing and screening the film, I realized this is the movie I intended to create. They are all excellent actors."

Although 'Bogotá' began filming in 2019, it is finally set for release after five years. Director Kim clarified that the film was not shelved for that long, explaining, "We started filming in December 2019 and continued for two and a half years, followed by a year and a half of post-production. The pandemic affected our timeline, but we took the time needed to find the right expression for this film."

Song Joong-ki added, "The pandemic was a shared experience for everyone, and I focused on what I could do within that context. I felt a responsibility to present this film well to the audience."

He expressed excitement about finally greeting the audience at the production briefing, feeling a mix of gratitude and humility as the release approaches.

Lee Hee-joon commended Song Joong-ki for his leadership and care throughout the production, likening him to a producer in his dedication.

'Bogotá: The Land of Last Chances' is set to hit theaters on the 31st.