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 movie created a huge buzz. Let’s take a look back at the film and see where the cast members are now, 22 years later.
“Sex Is Zero”, a film that became a hit not just because of its steamy 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. He also joins a martial arts club at the university.
Jang Eun-shik’s student life seems to pass by uneventfully until one day he falls for the beautiful student Lee Eun-hyo. However, Jang Eun-sShik is too shy to express his feelings and only dares to silently watch her from afar. Moreover, Lee Eun-hyo does not share the same feelings for him. Instead, she has feelings for Ham Sang-ok, a handsome, wealthy, and very popular guy at school.
However, Ham Sang-ok is a playboy. When Lee Eun-hyo becomes pregnant, only Jang Eun-shik stays by her side, helping her through the tough times.
As mentioned above, “Sex Is Zero” drew a lot of attention. The film was a massive box office success, earning nearly $24 million on a modest $2.2 million production budget.
Of course, the steamy scenes piqued viewers’ curiosity and drew them to theaters. However, many films with explicit scenes still fail to captivate audiences. The key to this movie’s success was its storyline, humor, and the relatability of its plot.
What happened to the cast of “Sex Is Zero” 22 years later?
In addition to its captivating storyline, 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 top star
Playing the female lead, Lee Eun-hyo, was Ha Ji-won. She began her artistic 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 slated 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 much-anticipated film “Portrait of a Family”. The two play a famous, 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.
The male lead of “Sex Is Zero” embroiled in a series of scandals
Im Chang-jung played the male lead, Jang Eun-shik. He is a multi-talented artist, leaving 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 film “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 taken on any lead roles in television. His last leading role in a film was in “Gate”, 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 of the ballad genre, and he is the only artist to have chart-topping hits in South Korea in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s.
In his personal life, Im Chang-jung has been involved in several scandals. Last year, he was suspected of stock price manipulation. Earlier this year, he was once again caught in controversy, facing accusations of fraud at an acting school and allegations that a salon he owned overcharged clients 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’s been 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 compared to his co-stars Ha Ji-won and Im Chang-jung. He mostly appeared in supporting roles in the projects he participated in. In 2015, Jung Min took on the lead role in “City of the Sun”, but the film was not a major success. Since then, he has stepped away from acting, with no new projects since 2015.
Source: K14
