Actor Song Joong Ki has openly expressed his interest in working with director Jang Hang Jun, joking that he now feels the need to impress the filmmaker following his recent box office success.
The actor appeared in a special interview video aired during the October 22 episode of SBS' variety show Master Jang Hang Jun, where several celebrities shared their thoughts about the director and playfully asked to be cast in his future projects.
Song Joong Ki drew attention with his humorous remarks about Jang Hang Jun's growing reputation as a filmmaker.
He said, "Now that he's become a director with 16 million moviegoers, I feel like something has changed. I feel like I need to stay on his good side."
The actor then jokingly suggested that he would be the perfect choice if Jang Hang Jun ever decided to make a film about a great director.
"Wouldn't he need to cast someone to play a great director? I don't think there are many actors besides me who could do it," Song Joong Ki said.
He added with a laugh, "I'll have a serious conversation with him when no one else is around."
His playful comments showed his interest in collaborating with Jang Hang Jun, whose recent success has attracted attention from actors hoping to work with him.
Song Joong Ki was not the only celebrity to express interest in joining the director's future projects.
Actress Shim Eun Kyung recalled an encouraging comment Jang Hang Jun once made to her.
"He told me, 'Eun Kyung, you're a superstar, so hold your head high,'" she shared.
She continued, "He's a director I deeply respect. Deep down, I keep believing that he'll invite me to work with him someday."
Singer and actress Seolhyun also expressed her admiration for the filmmaker and said she would welcome the opportunity to work under his direction.
"I really respect him. As an actress, I definitely want to work with him at least once. I want to experience his directing," she said.
She added, "Even if it's just a small role, I'll come running if he calls me."
Meanwhile, actor Kim Eui Sung took a more humorous approach to the casting discussion.
He joked that he might have to pay for the opportunity to appear in one of Jang Hang Jun's projects.
"I should probably pay to appear. He seems to place a lot of importance on actors sending coffee trucks. Maybe I'd need to send around 20 coffee trucks to get a role," he said.
Actor Jang Hyun Sung, a close friend of the director, also joined the teasing.
He jokingly warned, "You know I have a few stories from your past. Don't forget that."
Comedian Jang Do Yeon added another funny observation about how Jang Hang Jun's lifestyle appears to have changed following his success.
"His status has changed, so you'd think he'd still drink soju, but I saw him drinking whiskey," she joked.
When the production team asked what she would do if Jang Hang Jun invited her to audition, she immediately expressed her enthusiasm.
"It would be such an honor. Please, just give me one chance to work with you," she said while making a playful begging gesture.
The lighthearted interviews highlighted the affection and respect that several well-known celebrities have for Jang Hang Jun, while also poking fun at his growing influence in the entertainment industry.
Although Song Joong Ki and the other stars openly expressed their interest in working with the director, no actual casting announcements were made during the segment.
For now, their playful requests have become one of the memorable moments from Master Jang Hang Jun, particularly Song Joong Ki's humorous suggestion that he might need to work harder to win the director's favor.
