The South Korean film industry has long been known for its bold 18+ films, and “Sex Is Zero” was one such work. Released in 2002, this film created a huge buzz. Let’s take a look at the film and see where the cast members stand now, 22 years later.
“Sex Is Zero”, a film that became a success not only for its hot scenes
The plot of “Sex Is Zero” revolves around the story of two main characters, Jang Eun-shik and Lee Eun-hyo. At 28 years old, Jang Eun-shik is just a freshman in college. She also joins a martial arts club at the university.
Jang Eun-shik’s student life seems to be uneventful until one day he falls in love with the beautiful student Lee Eun-hyo. However, Jang Eun-shik is too shy to express his feelings and only dares to silently observe her from afar. Furthermore, Lee Eun-hyo does not share the same feelings for him. Instead, she has feelings for Ham Sang-ok, a handsome, rich and very popular boy at school.
However, Ham Sang-ok is a playboy. When Lee Eun-hyo becomes pregnant, only Jang Eun-shik remains by her side, helping her through difficult times.
As mentioned above, “Sex Is Zero” has attracted a lot of attention. The film was a huge success at the box office, earning nearly $24 million on a modest production budget of $2.2 million.
Of course, the steamy scenes piqued the curiosity of the viewers and attracted them to the cinema. However, many films with explicit scenes still fail to captivate the audience. The key to the success of this film was the plot, humor and the relatability of the plot.
What Happened to the Cast of ‘Sex Is Zero’ 22 Years Later?
In addition to its gripping plot, the success of “Sex Is Zero” was also driven by the stellar performances of its cast. Who are they and where are they now, 22 years later?
Ha Ji-won, the lead actress of “Sex Is Zero,” has become a successful star
Playing the female lead, Lee Eun-hyo, was Ha Ji-won. She began her acting career in 1996. After 28 years in the industry, Ha Ji-won is now a household name across Asia. She has starred in many notable works such as “Empress Ki”, “Secret Garden”, “Hospital Ship”, “Something Happened in Bali”, “Pawn” and more. Ha Ji-won remains active in the entertainment industry, with significant projects in both film and television scheduled for 2024.
On the small screen, viewers will see Ha Ji-won in “Murder Case of a Visiting Tutor in J Apartment,” a drama that follows the investigation of a mysterious murder by a tutor and a security guard.
On the big screen, Ha Ji-won will star alongside actor Ryu Seung-ryong in the highly anticipated film “Portrait of a Family.” The two play a famous and happily married couple. The husband, Jung Gu, is a baseball player, while the wife, Nam Mi, is a movie star. However, their idyllic life is shattered when a woman named Dong Ju unexpectedly appears.
‘Sex Is Zero’ Male Protagonist Embroiled in Series of Scandals
Im Chang-jung played the male lead, Jang Eun-shik. He is a multi-talented artist who has made his mark in both music and acting. However, in recent years, he has stepped away from acting.
The last time viewers saw Im Chang Jung was in the romantic drama “Radiant Eyes,” starring Han Ji-min and Nam Joo-hyuk, where he made a guest appearance. In fact, since his role in the 2012 drama “Ji Woon Soo’s Stroke of Luck,” Im Chang-jung has not played a leading role on television. His last leading role in a movie was in “Gate,” which was released in 2018.
However, Im Chang-jung continues to be active in music. Last year, he released a mini-album titled “Fool.” He is considered a legend in the ballad genre and is the only artist to have chart-topping hits in South Korea in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s.
In his private life, Im Chang-jung has been embroiled in several scandals. Last year, he was suspected of stock price manipulation. Earlier this year, he was embroiled in controversy again, facing allegations of fraud at an acting school and allegations that a salon he owned overcharged customers 1 million won for a haircut. Despite his explanations, his public image has taken a hit.
“Ham Sang-ok” actor Jung Min’s career never took off, and he was away from the screen for 9 years
Jung Min, who played the supporting role of Ham Sang-ok, has had a less successful acting career than his co-stars Ha Ji-won and Im Chang-jung. He has mostly appeared in supporting roles in the projects he has been involved in. In 2015, Jung Min took on the lead role in “City of the Sun”, but the film was not a big hit. Since then, he has stepped away from acting, with no new projects since 2015.
Source: K14
