Zo returns with Humint, embraces subtle acting

Feb 12, 2026, 08:17 am

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Actor Zo In-sung poses during an interview for the film Humint. / Courtesy of NEW

Zo In-sung returns with Humint, a film that places a human face within the frame of a classic spy action thriller. Reuniting for the third time with director Ryoo Seung-wan after The Berlin File and Escape from Mogadishu, the collaboration now feels almost formulaic — built on trust forged over time.

“Maybe it’s because we live close to each other,” Zo joked, before adding, “Director Ryoo is someone who always observes how an actor changes.” Their partnership, he suggested, has been more than simple chemistry — it has been a record of shared growth.

In Humint, which opened Feb. 11, Zo plays Director Cho, a black ops agent at the National Intelligence Service who leads the narrative and guides the audience through the story.

“I tried to pull back and focus on being a guide,” Zo said. “It was important to leave space for the audience to project their emotions.”

As he grows older, he explained, his acting has shifted toward subtraction rather than addition — a philosophy shaped in part by his collaboration with writer Noh Hee-kyung. “If you want to emphasize a line, you have to ease up beforehand,” he recalled being told. “You have to stay open like a blank page so the audience can step in.”

His approach to action scenes followed the same principle of restraint. Major sequences in Humint were meticulously prepared, with three weeks of action school rehearsals and demo shoots that incorporated camera movements. Filming began with physically demanding scenes, making the shoot far from easy.

Even so, Zo downplayed his own contribution. “I’m not sure I’m good at action,” he said. “It’s the result of the director’s vision.” As for the film being described as a “classic spy movie,” he took it to mean, “Don’t overdo it. Don’t rely on flashy tricks.”

Director Cho is not a conventional hero. He carries the trauma of losing an informant and lives with the tension between professional ethics and personal emotion.

“He’s in a state where his duty and his feelings collide,” Zo explained. Through the character, he sought to portray the inner world of an adult determined not to repeat past mistakes.

On set, Zo often acted as a mediator between cast and crew. “If you understand the situation, you don’t get angry,” he said. Having extensive overseas shooting experience, he said he could naturally sense the fatigue and anxiety of colleagues. Consideration, he noted, has become more of a habit than a conscious effort.

Looking ahead, Zo will continue to meet audiences through diverse projects. Following Humint, he is set to appear in director Na Hong-jin’s Hope and director Lee Chang-dong’s Possible Love this year.

“There’s no reason to turn down directors like Lee Chang-dong, Na Hong-jin or Ryoo Seung-wan,” Zo said. “Working with great directors makes me want to learn more. All three are relentless about quality. I believe they’re where they are because they’ve reached that level.”

He added, “I want to empty myself of all emotions on set, focus solely on acting, and remain an actor who leaves open space for the audience.”

#Zo In-sung #Humint #Ryoo Seung-wan #Na Hong-jin