Director Daishi Matsunaga of the film 'The Criminal' personally revealed the decisive reason for casting actor Jung Il-woo and the core message of the work.

At a press conference held on the 30th, Director Matsunaga shared the story behind casting Jung Il-woo. He began by saying, "Before watching the film 'Highway Family,' I actually met Jung Il-woo in person first. The most important thing in casting an actor is the atmosphere you feel from that person."

He continued, "After watching the film, I became convinced that actor Jung Il-woo has even greater potential, and I wanted to bring out that potential in this work."

He also did not hold back in his praise regarding their collaboration. Director Matsunaga evaluated, "Working together, his passion for acting was truly remarkable," adding, "He actively offered his opinions about the character in every scene, and his attitude of constantly seeking new challenges as an actor was very impressive."

Smiling at the reporters in attendance, he said, "I'm curious to know how audiences in Korea viewed Jung Il-woo's new side," and "I would love to hear that people discovered a new facet of the actor through this work."

"Who is the real criminal?"... The core question of the work

Director Matsunaga also explained the core thematic consciousness that the work aims to convey. He emphasized, "Many criminals appear in 'The Criminal,' but ultimately the fundamental question the work poses is 'Who is the real criminal?' In a state governed by the rule of law, crime is clearly wrong, but justice can also become a form of violence to someone. I wanted to capture on screen the points where each person's sense of justice collides, and I hope this message is well conveyed to the audience."

Meanwhile, Director Daishi Matsunaga's new film 'The Criminal' continues to enjoy box office success, ranking No. 1 in the series category in Japan for three consecutive weeks.