From speaking Korean to stories from the 'Digger' set: 7 moments from Tom Cruise's Seoul press conference

Hollywood star Tom Cruise met with local reporters in Seoul ahead of the film’s Korean release, talking about everything from his dramatic transformation into Digger Rockwell to working with director Alejandro González Iñárritu.

But between questions about the film and his extensive career, Cruise also shared some lighter moments with the press.

Here are seven memorable moments from the “Digger” press conference.

1. Showing off a little Korean

Cruise kicked off the press conference with a greeting in Korean, showing his familiarity with the country he has now visited 13 times.

He also thanked the crowd multiple times with “gamsahamnida,” meaning “thank you” in English, throughout the event.

2. Photo time wouldn't be complete without a heart pose

No celebrity photo time in Korea is complete without a heart pose, and Cruise came prepared.

The actor made several hearts for photographers, including a finger heart and a larger heart with both hands. Reporters didn't even have to ask — Cruise already knew what to do.

3. Standing up to find every reporter

Cruise didn't just listen to reporters' questions — he made an effort to find out who was asking them.

Throughout the press conference, the actor repeatedly stood up from his seat and looked around the room to find which reporter was speaking and made eye contact.

The habit even led to a few funny moments when Cruise started looking around for a reporter, only to realize it was host Park Kyung-lim speaking right next to him.

“It's me again, next to you,” Park said at one point as Cruise's eyes searched the room for the person speaking, drawing laughter from the audience.

4. Four takes for a 10-minute monologue

One of the most memorable scenes in “Digger” features Cruise delivering a roughly 10-minute monologue in a single take.

Cruise said the production initially expected to spend four days shooting the scene. Instead, they got it done in one day and just four takes.

“I was so ready to do it again,” Cruise said.

But director Alejandro González Iñárritu said they already had what they needed.

The fact that it only took four takes drew applause from the room.

5. Treating his body as an instrument

When asked how he prepared for his 10-minute monologue, Cruise said he constantly trains in dance, singing, music and movement, describing his body as part of his instrument as an actor.

By the time the cameras start rolling, Cruise said he already knows the beats of the scene, the lens and the position of the camera, allowing him to simply perform.

“Then I'm just free,” he said. “It's like playing jazz. It's like playing an instrument.”

6. Tom Cruise isn't going anywhere anytime soon

Cruise isn't only thinking about his next film. The actor said he is already preparing projects as far as five years ahead.

“I have films that I'm preparing three years from now, films that I'm preparing four years, five years from now,” Cruise said.

“Digger” itself was years in the making. Iñárritu spent nine years developing the film, with Cruise joining the project in 2019.

7. Thirteen visits down, 30 more to go

Cruise just set a new record as the Hollywood actor who has visited Korea the most — a record previously set by himself, by the way.

But he doesn't plan on stopping there.

“I have spent my life in the beauty of being able to come to this country 13 times, and I hope to be able to come another 30 times,” Cruise said.

Cruise emphasized his intent to return.

“If you'll have me, I'll come back 30 times,” he said.

BY DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ [[email protected]]