Actor Song Joong Ki in tears over the poor box office performance of ”Bogota”... ”Even if people criticize me, I will try my best to make the situation better”

Actor Song Joong-ki was urged by the poor box-office performance of the film ‘Bogota: Land of Last Chance’ (‘Bogota’).

　On the 12th January, a stage greeting for the film ‘Bogota’ was held. Actors Lee Sung Min, Song Joong Ki and Lee Hee Jun participated in the talk.

　Towards the end of the stage greeting, Lee Sung Min said "Today, I was heartbroken to see the theatre's parking lot was empty. There are no people in the theatre. There are various reasons. When there are no customers in the theatre, it is hard for actors. It really kills me to have a film released during such a period. Yet, it is the actors who have to make it work. We need a lot of help to make sure that our film ends well. I also want a lot of help so that I can finish it well."

　Lee Hee-jung continued "I know that Bogota won't be a 10 million film, it hasn't been as big a hit as I hoped, but I thank the audience for coming. But it is an important film because it was released after Corona. Today is the end of official publicity for ‘Bogota’. I'm very happy, I'm very happy, I'm very happy, I'm very happy. I am very grateful."

　Song Joong-ki also said "My schedule related to Bogota is completely over. I am truly honoured to be ending my career with Lee Sung-min. Recently, Korean cinema (popularity) has been in a very difficult situation. Frankly speaking, we are in a situation where we should be thankful just to have our films in the theatre. Korean cinema is really difficult. I also worked harder than ever to publicise the film. I wanted to let people know about it and wanted it to make a good impression. Even though it wasn't enough and I got some bad press, I tried to make the situation better. I thank everyone who came to see the film."

　He then added "My seniors told me that the reality of the film version is difficult, but the role of an actor is to create good content and to comfort the audience. I will carefully create diverse, interesting and good works to give them strength. I will continue to devote myself to it. When I talk to you, I get woozy. I really appreciate it," he said, wiping away tears and choking.

　Meanwhile, ‘Bogota’ is a film depicting the story of Gook-ki (played by Song Joong-ki), who heads to Bogota, Colombia, on the other side of the world with hope right after the IMF, while intertwining with Soo-yeon (played by Lee Hee-jung) and Park Byung-jang (played by Kwon Hye-hyo), the real authorities in the Korean community in Bogota. The film is currently showing in theatres in South Korea.