Jung Doo-Hong talks about лНМЦНК (Mongol)

You've probably seen him in many Korean films, playing a mute bodyguard (피도 눈물도 없이, No Blood No Tears), the big bad boy in 아라한-장풍대작전 (Arahan), and more.
All small roles, most of the times with a mere few lines. But good screen presence aside, the real talent of Mr. Jung is action. He's been the most important and influential Action Director in Korean Cinema for the last 15 years, and the list of films he's worked in reads like a who's who of contemporary Korean Cinema. He was recently offered the chance to direct the Action scenes in the Russian blockbuster лНМЦНК (Mongol), starring Asano Tadanobu. He talks about his latest boxing match, his career, his fitness center and more.

First off, congratulations on winning your first boxing match. It must have been hard, starting late. How much did you win?
Jung: The prize? 350,000 Won (laughs). Korean boxing is like that. Becoming champion is a goal, but I need more matches.

Again congratulations...you've finally started working overseas. When are you leaving?

Jung: We're preparing to leave right now. The first part will shoot until next year, so I just have to wait until September to start. Looks like we'll start shooting from inner Mongolia.

How were you approached?
Jung: The director called Kim Sung-Soo after we worked together in 무사 (Musa: The Warrior). In reality the producer wanted a Hong Kong [action] director, but Bodrov wanted me and fought for it until the end.

Since it's a film about Genghis Khan there must be a lot of horse riding action scenes.
Jung: Obviously. We'll do something a little simpler, yet spectacular horse riding action than Hollywood. More realistic, frightening. At first, because of the budget, I was supposed to go alone, but I asked for my team to give the film my personal color, so we'll all go. All the terms of the contract are really good.

At what level is Korean Action right now?

Jung: We've come a long way, and right now are shoulder to shoulder with the latest Hong Kong productions. Anyway, for my latest project 중천 (Zenith) by director Jo Dong-Oh I went to Hong Kong in May, thinking I had to learn more about wire action. Well, what I saw there wasn't that different from what we do. I don't like to follow other people's styles. The only thing is that we're still far behind when it comes to equipment, stunt drivers and facilities.

Via Yonhap News