In rookie director Kim Chang-hoon’s feature debut film “Hopeless” which opened in theaters last week, Hong Xa-bin plays Yeon-kyu, an 18-year-old high school student who lives with an abusive stepfather and an enervated mother. He is even asked to leave the Chinese restaurant where he works part time. Then, he meets Chi-gun (Song Joong-ki), the right-hand man of a gang boss, who seems to be a haven for Yeon-kyu.

Before "Hopeless," which was invited to the Cannes Film Festival in May, Kim had only appeared in a number of indie films and a drama series. The noir film is the 26-year-old's feature film debut, as well as his first-ever lead role in a commercial film.

“Of course, there was pressure. Everything was new to me. But when I think about it, Yeon-kyu may have felt that too," Hong told The Korea Herald in an interview in Seoul on Sept. 26.

"Although my situation is not as extremely merciless as that of Yeon-kyu, I could easily understand his mind and situation. So it was easy for me to be Yeon-kyu.”

• ·Posco to start search for new chief
• ·S. Korea issues navigation warning amid planned N.K. rocket launch
• ·S. Korea issues navigation warning amid planned N.K. rocket launch
• ·[Korea Beyond Korea] In Sao Paulo, horizons expand for Korean studies
• ·류호정·장혜영의 ‘세번째권력’ “총선서 30석, 200만 득표가 목표”
• ·인요한 “한동훈, 신선하고 합리적…총선 역할 결정된다면 좋은 일”
• ·YouTuber ‘iGoBart’ and his mission to explore all 467 neighborhoods of Seoul
• ·[Contribution] Korean food captivates global palates
• ·'12.12: The Day’ attracts 1.8m moviegoers in five days since opening
• ·Navigate flavors of the Mediterranean in Seoul
• ·Alternative nicotine products lead to reduction in smoking rates: report
• ·60조 역대급 세수 펑크에도…여야, 국회 운영비 364억 증액 합의
• ·[Herald Interview] Korea ramps up high
• ·[Herald Interview] Latvia hopes to boost economic, cultural ties with Korea
• ·Seoul shares open higher ahead of Nvidia results
• ·YouTuber ‘iGoBart’ and his mission to explore all 467 neighborhoods of Seoul