Hitman 2: The Long-Awaited Sequel Returns After Five Years

The highly anticipated sequel, 'Hitman 2' (히트맨2), has finally arrived after five years since the original film's release. A production briefing for the movie took place on December 27 at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall, featuring director Choi Won-seob and cast members Kwon Sang-woo, Jung Joon-ho, Lee Yi-kyung, Hwang Woo-seul-hye, and Kim Sung-oh.

The first 'Hitman' film, released in 2020, starred Kwon Sang-woo, Jung Joon-ho, Lee Yi-kyung, Hwang Woo-seul-hye, and Lee Ji-won, and quickly became a box office hit, ranking among the top four films of that year. 'Hitman 2' (written and directed by Choi Won-seob, produced and distributed by By4M Studio, and produced by Very Good Studio and Studio Target) follows the story of 'Jun,' a once-celebrated writer who falls from grace and becomes embroiled in a comedic action plot when a terrorist mimics his new webtoon.

During the event, director Choi Won-seob expressed his excitement, stating, "Finally, the second installment is here. It was great to work with the actors again, as we had already established a good rapport. The chemistry was truly top-notch. I was particularly thrilled to work with Kim Sung-oh, who was my first choice for the role of Pierre Zhang, as he embodies both charisma and gentleness. There are some close-up shots that will leave you wondering how he can express such emotions, so you can look forward to that."

He also noted that the scale of the sequel is significantly larger than the first film, with enhanced action sequences, set designs, and animation. "We aimed to provide a variety of visual experiences, and there were so many ad-libs that we barely had enough shooting time. I believe our film has the most ad-libs among the New Year releases," he added, highlighting the unique charm of the sequel.

Jung Joon-ho chimed in, agreeing that there were indeed many ad-libs, and humorously pointed out that Lee Yi-kyung sometimes undermined senior actors' performances while pretending to assist them. Lee Yi-kyung responded with a yawn, eliciting laughter from the audience.

Kwon Sang-woo remarked on the challenges of creating a sequel, saying, "It's not easy to return with a series, but it's an honor to be here. It requires all the actors to be united in spirit. We don't often get the chance to express this, but I think our passion for the film, especially under Jung Joon-ho's leadership, made it possible."

He also praised Kim Sung-oh for his strong presence in the film, stating that despite the short filming period, they managed to shoot efficiently. "It's a new experience to hold such an event before the release. I've worked on many projects, but 'Hitman 2' holds a special meaning for me," he shared, while Jung Joon-ho humorously suggested that the lengthy discussions during filming were a reflection of his own tendency to talk too much.

Jung Joon-ho introduced his character, saying, "In this sequel, I return as 'Jun,' the assassin. Looking back at my previous works, I realize I have a fondness for comedy, especially films by Stephen Chow. 'Hitman' incorporates many of those elements, making the set a lot of fun. My commitment to fitness is likely driven by my desire to participate in films like this. 'Hitman' is truly one of my favorite films."

Kwon Sang-woo also shared insights about the filming atmosphere, stating, "When the three of us gathered for the second film, we found our unique comedic style within 'Hitman.' There were moments when we would look at each other during our lines and think, 'This is it.' The thrill of being able to recreate such moments is immense, and I hope that energy translates to the audience."

He humorously added that he tried to run faster than Tom Cruise during action scenes, aiming to outpace the Hollywood star.

Jung Joon-ho expressed his hopes for the film, saying, "With 'Hitman 2,' we want to bring big laughs to start the New Year on a high note. After the challenges of COVID-19, we haven't had many opportunities to produce films. It feels like a dream to have waited five years for this. However, once you watch the movie, it will feel like just last year."

He described his character as the elder statesman of the agents, responsible for protecting his colleagues, drawing parallels between his character's life and his own. "In both the film and real life, my role is to safeguard my peers, and I find that similarity quite striking."

Jung Joon-ho also shared a humorous anecdote about his character being taken hostage and enduring physical confrontations, noting that the realism sometimes blurred the lines between acting and reality. Lee Yi-kyung added that Jung Joon-ho's experiences reminded him of a technique called 'jokta' in Japan, which involves a similar level of physicality.

Lee Yi-kyung recounted a memorable incident on set involving spent bullet casings flying near Jung Joon-ho's eye, which taught him a lot about safety on set. He also praised Jung Joon-ho's calm demeanor, even in stressful situations, likening him to a wise monk.

As for the comedic elements, Lee Yi-kyung expressed confidence in delivering laughs in 'Hitman 2,' hinting at a comedic rivalry with Jung Joon-ho. He noted that the director had even requested that certain comedic tones and styles be exclusive to their film.

Hwang Woo-seul-hye expressed pride in the sequel, stating, "I can confidently say that 'Hitman 2' is much more entertaining than the first. I hope we can make a third installment with your support. In this sequel, my character has become more aggressive and uses more profanity than before."

She humorously mentioned her on-screen chemistry with Kwon Sang-woo, saying, "This time, it feels like we have a lot of scenes where we are truly in love. He ends up getting hit by me quite a bit!" Kwon Sang-woo added that he might have taken more hits from Hwang Woo-seul-hye than during action scenes.

Kim Sung-oh, who joins the cast as Pierre Zhang, shared his excitement and pressure about being part of the sequel. "I hope to contribute to making this film even better than the first. My character is a French art collector who gets involved in various incidents while in Korea, and he has a surprising twist."

He also reflected on the fun he had watching the first 'Hitman' film, which fueled his desire to work hard to make the sequel enjoyable. Kim Sung-oh noted the abundance of ad-libs on set, recalling a particularly funny moment when the director struggled to call 'cut' during a hilarious scene.

In terms of action, Kim Sung-oh shared a personal anecdote about his shoulder injury during filming, suggesting a scene where his character gets shot in the shoulder as a backup plan. Fortunately, he managed to complete the action scenes without needing that setup.

As the event concluded, Kwon Sang-woo expressed his hopes for audiences to start the New Year with laughter through 'Hitman 2.' Jung Joon-ho emphasized the film's family-friendly nature, making it suitable for all ages, while Lee Yi-kyung highlighted the film's unique comedic genre. Hwang Woo-seul-hye encouraged viewers to find joy and laughter during a time when it may be scarce.

'Hitman 2' is set to hit theaters on January 22, 2025.