The cast of actor Tom Cruise's newest action film "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" on June 29 pose for photos at a news conference for the movie's premiere at Lotte Cinema in Lotte World Tower in Seoul's Songpa-gu District. From left are actors Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, Cruise, Hayley Atwell, director Christopher McQuarrie and actor Vanessa Kirby. (Lotte Entertainment)

By Xu Aiying

"Every time I come, I just feel very welcomed."

Hollywood star Tom Cruise on June 29 expressed his love for Korea at a news conference to promote his latest film "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One," aka "Mission Impossible 7," at Lotte Cinema in Lotte World Tower in Seoul's Songpa-gu District.

Also attending were fellow cast members Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, Hayley Atwell and Vanessa Kirby and director Christopher McQuarrie.

This was Cruise's 11th visit to Korea.

On the nickname "kind Uncle Tom" coined by his Korean fans, he said, "I'm very honored to have that. That's beautiful," adding with a smile, "It was my dream to be able to come to this country, to travel the world to study history, not just be a tourist but to be a part of a culture to experience in it." 

"That is who I am as a person and it means everything to me the welcome that I get."

"The other night we came out to have Korean barbecue, stood on the street and said hello to everyone...I love to be with people who love movies," he added. "It was very special, especially during this time, because making the film with this cast to have them here, we are very excited tonight to present the film," he said.

Hollywood star Tom Cruise (left) on June 29 answers questions from reporters at a news conference for the domestic premiere of "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" at Lotte Cinema in Lotte World Tower in Seoul's Songpa-gu District. (Lotte Entertainment)

In this film, Cruise also performed all of his stunts to complete his "impossible" mission without missing a single frame.

On the movie's motorcycle scene, he said it was his first time to perform a scene in which a motorcycle falls from a cliff, hailing it as a great scene thanks to the director's sophisticated storytelling.

Saying he performed all of its his stunts in this film, Cruise said, "It is my passion for storytelling, it is my passion for life for adventure for entertaining the audience." 

Pegg, a huge fan of Korean content, said he respects Korean fans and Korean culture and enjoyed watching "Train to Busan," "Vincenzo" and "Squid Game." He also hailed "Parasite" director Bong Joon-ho for his creativity. 

Klementieff, who appears as a new villain in the film, said her mother is Korean and that she pursued acting because of Korean movies.

Actor Tom Cruise on June 29 receives a birthday cake from fans at a red carpet event for the premiere of "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" at Lotte World Tower in Seoul's Songpa-gu District. (Yonhap News)

Ahead of the actor's promotional schedule, people on June 28 shared online their stories of meeting him around the city's Songpa-gu District. 

While walking on the street, Cruise showed his affection for Korea through fan appreciation by greeting people and taking photos with them.

His movie will be released on July 12 simultaneously in Korea and North America.

xuaiy@korea.kr