Excitement Builds for 'Bogotá: The Land of Last Chances' Starring Song Joong-ki and Lee Hee-joon

The film 'Bogotá: The Land of Last Chances' is set to heat up theaters this holiday season with its stellar cast and gripping storyline. On December 6, a production briefing was held at the Megabox COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, featuring actors Song Joong-ki, Lee Hee-joon, Kwon Hae-hyo, Park Ji-hwan, Jo Hyun-cheol, Kim Jong-soo, and director Kim Sung-jae.

Scheduled for release on December 31, 'Bogotá' follows the journey of Guk-hee (played by Song Joong-ki), who, after the IMF crisis, travels to Bogotá, Colombia, in search of new hope. There, he becomes entangled with influential figures in the Korean community, such as Su-young (Lee Hee-joon) and Park Byeong-jang (Kwon Hae-hyo). Directed by Kim Sung-jae, known for 'Minority Opinion,' the film portrays the tumultuous survival stories of Koreans in Bogotá, marking a first for Korean cinema.

Director Kim expressed his fascination with the stories of Korean immigrants living in distant cities, stating, "Our film tells the story of youth who have matured too quickly, sharing friendships and betrayals. It follows a boy whose family has fallen apart as he struggles to survive."

Song Joong-ki portrays Guk-hee, a young man with intense ambitions. He described his character as someone filled with desire, saying, "Guk-hee is a bundle of ambition driven by the need to survive. His journey begins and ends with his father, played by Kim Jong-soo, which adds complexity to his character. Guk-hee is determined to survive against all odds."

He also shared insights into his character's appearance, noting that he typically prefers minimal accessories but decided to experiment with earrings after observing locals during pre-production in Colombia. "This film has pushed me to try many new things," he added.

Recently, Song Joong-ki celebrated the birth of his second daughter, receiving warm congratulations from fans and colleagues alike. He graciously thanked the MC, Park Kyung-rim, for the well-wishes.

The film showcases Guk-hee's evolution from his teenage years into his thirties. Song Joong-ki humorously noted that the teenage stills were taken four and a half years ago, making him appear younger than he is now.

Lee Hee-joon plays Su-young, the second-in-command in the Korean smuggling market and a customs broker. He humorously referenced Brad Pitt's character from 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' for his look, joking that he ended up resembling Super Mario or Freddie Mercury on set. He elaborated, "Su-young is an elite who became a broker after his company collapsed in Bogotá."

Kwon Hae-hyo portrays Park Byeong-jang, the powerful figure in the smuggling market within the Korean community. He explained his character's background, stating, "Park Byeong-jang is a product of the early 1970s immigration wave to South America, having chosen Colombia over Brazil or Argentina. I aimed to portray him as a character who is both relatable and enigmatic."

Other cast members include Park Ji-hwan as the younger Park Byeong-jang, Jo Hyun-cheol as Jae-woong, a schoolmate of Su-young, and Kim Jong-soo as Guk-hee's father, Geun-tae, who relocates the family to Colombia after their garment factory fails due to the IMF crisis.

Director Kim revealed that filming began in December 2019 and continued for about two and a half years, followed by a year and a half of post-production. He emphasized that 'Bogotá' is not an old film but a fresh project that has been carefully prepared for audiences, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "We are excited to present this newly created film to viewers," he concluded.