How Song Joong-ki Boldly Transformed for This 12 Billion KRW Blockbuster Premiering After 3 Years of Making

The highly anticipated film 'Bogotá: City of the Last Chance,' produced with a monumental budget of 12 billion KRW, is finally set to hit theaters on December 31, 2024, three years after its completion.

The film tells the story of Korean immigrants in Colombia during the IMF crisis, and much of the spotlight is on Song Joong-ki, who leads the cast with a groundbreaking transformation.

'Bogotá' follows the journey of Guk-hee (Song Joong-ki), who migrates to Bogotá, Colombia, in the aftermath of the IMF financial crisis. Guk-hee struggles to survive in an unfamiliar land, growing from a 19-year-old immigrant to a resilient man in his 30s. The story delves into his interactions with key figures in the local Korean community, including Soo-young (Lee Hee-jun) and Sergeant Park (Kwon Hae-hyo).

For this role, Song Joong-ki underwent a drastic image change, shedding his familiar persona for a bold new look. At the film’s press conference, he shared, “This is the first time I’ve portrayed a character with such an extensive storyline. To show Guk-hee’s adaptation to life in Colombia, I cut my hair short and wore earrings.” He also revealed the challenges of learning Spanish for the role, saying, “It wasn’t easy, but I gave it my all to fully immerse myself in the character.”

The production team spared no effort in capturing the exotic landscapes of Bogotá and authentically portraying the realities of the Korean immigrant community. Filmed on location in Colombia, the movie aims to deliver an immersive and visually stunning experience.

The cast includes seasoned actors such as Kwon Hae-hyo, Park Ji-hwan, Cho Hyun-chul, and Kim Jong-soo, who bring depth and charisma to the film. Lee Hee-jun plays Soo-young, a powerful figure in the Korean community, while Kwon Hae-hyo portrays Sergeant Park, the head of the Korean Merchants Association. Park Ji-hwan and Cho Hyun-chul add tension and intrigue as Sergeant Park’s right-hand man and Guk-hee’s friend, respectively.

As part of the film’s promotion, Song Joong-ki, along with Lee Hee-jun, Kim Jong-soo, and director Kim Seong-je, will participate in stage greetings to connect with audiences. Starting January 1, 2025, they will visit major theaters in Seoul. On January 4, they will tour theaters in Gyeonggi Province, including Megabox Starfield Suwon and CGV Pangyo. On January 5, they will return to Seoul, greeting fans at locations such as Lotte Cinema Gimpo Airport and CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall.