JOHNNY :While attacks in the Korean countryside are common place, were the reports of Wild Boar venturing into the cities one of the catalysts to start development of Chaw ? If not, how did the project come about?

JUNG: There had been reports of hungry wild boars attacking the city at the time when I was developing my next project. It still is one of the social issues on the rise in Korea.

JOHNNY: The film is a very character driven one, with everyone turning in a star performance. How was the casting progress undertaken – were the actors all known to you, or were some of them ‘unknown’ to Korean cinema before?

JUNG: At the time of production, the all cast members were not very famous. That made them more refreshing and all of them are now quite busy. CHAW was the first film for EUM Tae-woong to play the lead and now he is one of the most recognized actors in Korea.

JOHNNY: How hard was it to get the dark horror and comedy to compliment each other?

JUNG: If film is a miniature version of life, people would laugh at least a couple of times each day. Based on my experience, I find that people tend to laugh instinctively even when faced with critical situations. Despite the terrors, tragedies, throughout history, humor is an essential element that cannot be omitted. And it will be the same for any kind of film genres.

JOHNNY: Why was the decision taken to film almost 70% of the film in California?

JUNG: Korea has four distinct seasons and had only two months of summer that we can shoot, which was close to impossible when we had to shoot within the thick woods. California had dense woods right beside big roads so it was the optimum choice for the location.

JOHNNY: Are you familiar with the Australian films Razorback and Pig Hunt – that both draw on similar themes as Chaw?
 
JUNG: I tried to see RAZORBACK but it was impossible to find the film in Korea. So I decided that it would probably be better not to see it at all.

JOHNNY: How long did it take to design and bring to life the mutated boar?

JUNG: It took us for about a year. It was mostly about deciding whether to make it a monster or a realistic animal.

JOHNNY: The eclectic energy in this film is something that is sorely lacking in many films – Western and Eastern included. What drives you as a director – what energies and inspirations did you draw from while undertaking this epic film?

JUNG: That is a very generous compliment, but thank you.

I had dreamed of films since childhood. I wanted to be an archeologist after watching INDIANA JONES or KING SOLOMON, then a space pilot or Jedi knight after watching ALIEN or STAR WARS. Then I found out that those films were made by a film director and became my dream ever since. I decided to become a film director before I turned thirty and made it come true. And I still dream to be a filmmaker who creates wonderful movies.

But unlike writing novels, film is a collaboration of money and people. And I had to go through numerous hardships which were the driving force behind this film. That’s why I am more attached to this film and hold regrets for it.

I had thought that I’ve extinguished all my energy making two films the hard way, but I feel recharged recently.

JOHNNY: Do you view Chaw as a straight horror film, or more of a black comedy?

JUNG: I always say that I don’t hold a big meaning to categorizing films in genres. But if I had to, I’d say CHAW has strong black comedy elements to it.

JOHNNY: Are there plans for a sequel?

JUNG: Of course. I believe it will be a fascinating work and already have an idea on the storyline.

JOHNNY: Would you ever make a film for the English-speaking market?

JUNG; I haven’t thought to make something for a specific market, but rather think that my own style could be universal. If there is a chance, I would like to show my ideas and styles as much as I can to people in other countries.

JOHNNY: The leap from your first film, 시실리 to this, is quite some undertaking. What direction will you take with your career to make sure it constantly challenges you, and your audience?

JUNG: I always remind myself that I was an audience who loves film and a film fanatic. Being involved in the industry, it has become more difficult to see films and sadly to look at them with different eyes.

But I can never go back to being an audience and never will. So I try to make my best efforts rather than to relish the present or follow routine, in order to make films that I can enjoy as well as the audiences. I plan to create films that people can be love and relate to in my own style, and will succeed.