The calm response of actor Jung Jun-ho, co-director of the Jeonju International Film Festival, has become a topic of conversation. On the afternoon of the 1st, a press conference was held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to announce the film selections for the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF).
The event was attended by Woo Beom-ki, the organizing chairman, Min Seong-uk, Jung Jun-ho, co-directors, Moon Seok, Moon Seong-gyeong, Jeon Jin-su programmers, and Park Tae-jun, general producer of the Jeonju Project. During the Q&A session, Jung Jun-ho was asked by a reporter, “I doubt whether you understand the Korean film industry” and “The Yoon Seok-youl administration has drastically reduced the budget for festival support.”
Other film festivals are raising objections to this.
The question was quite aggressive, drawing the attention of not only festival officials but also everyone present.
However, Jung Jun-ho listened to the question with a calm expression and asked for the reporter’s affiliation and name in a composed tone.
After hearing the reporter’s response, he began, “You asked the same question last year.” Jung Jun-ho said, “The government is short on tax revenue, so the budgets of all ministries have been reduced.
So I fully understand (the reduction in the festival budget).
If a father’s business struggles, the family needs to economize.
We also think it is inevitable that budgets in departments are reduced due to the national budget cut,” he said. To this, the reporter retorted, “Do you think the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) budget decreased last year?
Do you really know that?
Do you understand it that way?” Jung Jun-ho replied, “I cannot be certain about the decrease in the MCST budget.” With Jung Jun-ho’s response, the reporter, who was already heated, stated, “It increased.
It increased slightly,” he chided.
Jung Jun-ho, with a smile, responded, “Do I need to know such details?” and added, “With reduced budgets, we are preparing a rich festival again this year with corporate sponsorship and support.” Further questions from the reporter continued.
He mentioned that Jung Jun-ho had visited an entertainment bar in Daejeon during last year’s Jeonju International Film Festival period and asked, “As a co-director, do you have no sense of responsibility for this?
Do you think it’s acceptable?”
Jung Jun-ho explained, “Scores of sponsors support the festival.
I personally meet them and get support.
During the festival, if foreign guests or sponsors visit and want to meet, wouldn’t it be courteous to have a meal with them?” and added, “I went to greet them where they were staying.” He continued, “As a co-director, I think it’s proper to meet and greet the sponsors.
There seems to be a misunderstanding, but it was all after work hours,” and emphasized, “We are doing our best to bring many people to the festival.
Of course, I understand the perspective of the reporter.” Meanwhile, the Q&A session was uploaded on a YouTube channel on the 2nd under the title ‘Confrontational Reporter VS Calm Jung Jun-ho.’
The video gained 320,000 views and about 5,000 comments in just two days, receiving explosive reactions.
Most netizens criticized the reporter’s rude stance and highly praised Jung Jun-ho’s calm response as a festival co-director. Reporter Jang Joo-yeon jang3@edaily.co.kr
