The Old Woman with the Knife raised expectations with the unprecedented performance of a killer in their 60s.

On the morning of 27th, a production briefing for the film 'The Old Woman with the Knife' (directed by Min Kyu-dong) took place at Lotte Cinema in Konkuk University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Director Min Kyu-dong and actors Lee Hye-young and Kim Sung-cheol attended the briefing and shared their thoughts.

'The Old Woman with the Knife' is an action drama depicting the intense confrontation between the legendary killer Jo-gak (played by Lee Hye-young), who has been active for over 40 years in an organization handling human pests, and the mysterious killer Tu-woo (played by Kim Sung-cheol), who has pursued him for a lifetime.

'The Old Woman with the Knife' was officially invited to the 75th Berlin International Film Festival last month and received invitations from the Brussels Fantastic Film Festival as well. Director Min Kyu-dong remarked, "I felt good and honored that this film was screened at a festival where it could be viewed with a deeper perspective before showing in Korea. Those who saw it have given various reactions, saying it is brutal yet lyrical, violent yet beautiful; these comments suggest to me that they understood the intent well."

Lee Hye-young conveyed, "Meeting Director Min Kyu-dong and having the chance to take on such a challenge was an honor, and everyone who has seen it viewed it positively. Films by Director Min Kyu-dong typically provoke thought. I think there was a strange harmony between the action genre and thought-provoking elements. Regardless, everyone who watched it said it was good. I'm anxious about how Korean audiences will perceive it."

Lee Hye-young, who plays the role of the killer Jo-gak, previously attracted attention with comments about being cast because she hadn't used Botox. She said, "There are many great actors my age in Korea. I thought, 'Why me?' but while filming, it seemed to be because I hadn't used Botox. Now that it's finished, I think I will try it."

Regarding the character of Jo-gak, Lee Hye-young explained, "Having lived as a legendary killer for over 40 years, I have a consistent life despite being in isolation. I thought my existence itself was art. The style is effective, and if I were to commission a rebellion, I would want to leave it to Jo-gak. Tu-woo, on the other hand, is vital and ostentatious, emotional, and glamorous, but he also embodies a multi-dimensional character whose intentions are not immediately understood. When placed next to each other, Tu-woo wants to kill Jo-gak but also recognizes that without Jo-gak, he has no reason to exist, which shows his obsession and madness. I aimed to create a situation where the collision between them would feel mysterious and interesting."

Kim Sung-cheol, playing the role of Tu-woo, explained, "I found it very appealing as I read the script alongside the original novel. When I read the script, I had already learned that Lee Hye-young would be involved, so I imagined her while reading. The reality on set was more challenging than I anticipated, but ultimately, rather than being pure action, it captured a sense of drama concluding in action, which I think is well integrated into the film."

He continued discussing the character of Tu-woo, saying, "Tu-woo suddenly appears and talks about searching for Jo-gak. I don’t know what kind of life he lived for 20 years, but suddenly he became a killer. The film will reveal the story, but fundamentally, his internal state remains a mystery. The way he speaks and acts poses questions: Why does he act that way? What meaning does it carry? That’s what makes him an attractive character. In fact, the action scenes with Tu-woo were approached with a long take, as the director wished. So, since Tu-woo's first appearance had to be impactful, we rehearsed for about two hours. I thought five takes would suffice, but we ended up doing 17."

Lee Hye-young also shared her difficulties with action acting, saying, "There are so many action films up to now. I’ve seen numerous action films, but playing a killer usually bypasses moral or ethical reflections. Our film is significantly different in that regard; it makes you think. The action is not 'I'm an action film' so I need to look like an action star; the actions arise unexpectedly from my natural expressions, making it challenging. Consequently, I sustained many injuries. I had not prepared beforehand, leading to numerous injuries, and the martial arts director worked hard. Without stunts, such scenes couldn't have emerged. I’m really grateful, and the editing was excellent."

When asked about his reasons for casting the two, Director Min Kyu-dong said, "Lee Hye-young was a mystical presence to me when I first saw her in a theater as a child. This film required a character that conveys something unusually rare, so I wanted to meet her. I thought she could capture the cinematic impressions that transcend the text, thanks to her aura from classic films. When we met, it was an inexplicable, fateful moment. The energy and aura encapsulating the traces of her life became one with the film, and I thought about how wonderful it would be if this energy could be transmitted to the audience."

Regarding Kim Sung-cheol, he noted, "His performances and energy on the musical stage are astounding. I recall wanting to see more of him as the audience gave a standing ovation. Tu-woo serves to unsettle Jo-gak and presents an image that balances both a cute dog that could bite at any moment and a complex persona. Physically, this film also represents how a killer in their 60s can be portrayed. If the confrontation appears absurd physically, it becomes fake, so it should radiate an atmosphere capable of competition. Hence, rather than exaggerated masculinity, a youthfully handsome vibe yet fundamentally powerful and frightening was essential, and I was relieved when I met Kim Sung-cheol. I find it delightful to meet an actor who aspires to action roles when they align with my vision and to experiment freely with character development."

He stated, "It's a story of an unprecedented female killer in her 60s and a mysterious pursuer battling intensely while shaking their lives. Isn't The Old Woman with the Knife unfamiliar? While pondering how to convey a strange word, I heard a voice inside me. It’s about a legendary gunslinger in a town who, on the brink of retirement, is challenged by a quick-handed young gunslinger saying, 'Come out, legend. Do you dare to face me?' It’s not just a simple battle, but a tale filled with a sense of fate that could be characterized as a Western film; I thought it could be worthwhile. Beyond mere action, there are themes of existence and dissolution, injury, loss, recovery, and violence deeply infused in the narrative, which is why I decided to create it. It wasn't easy, but I persevered and finally brought it to life."

When asked about the considerations in creating characters, Director Min Kyu-dong emphasized, "The contrast between them is an essential concept of the film. Jo-gak is a person who lived a consistent life for nearly 50 years in isolation. I believe existence itself is art. She has style and a stubborn philosophy. The action needs to be extraordinarily effective. If I were to commission a rebellion, I would entrust it to Jo-gak. Tu-woo, on the other hand, is vivacious, showy, emotional, and flashy, yet encompasses a character with multi-layered meanings that are not easily understood. When juxtaposed, Tu-woo desires to kill Jo-gak, but he also realizes that without Jo-gak, he lacks existential significance, showcasing his obsession and madness. I aimed to construct the idea that if they positioned a mirror between them, they would see an alternate version of themselves from different timelines, and the collision would feel intriguing and remarkable."

Moreover, he remarked, "The Old Woman with the Knife depicts a struggle not only of the body but also of the mind; it’s a genuine battle of body and heart. In examining the outcome of the tussle, I consider that life does not define winners or losers, but rather reveals human existence. While it carries the genre’s convenience of action, it also leaves an emotional resonance that has not yet been seen, which I believe is the distinct aspect of 'The Old Woman with the Knife.'"

Particularly, Lee Hye-young conveyed the atmosphere during the Berlin Film Festival screening, expressing confidence that "it's more enjoyable than 'Mickey17' (directed by Bong Joon-ho)." When Director Min Kyu-dong was asked about the message he wanted to convey through 'The Old Woman with the Knife,' he expressed hope that, while retaining its nature as an entertaining film, it would be memorable enough so that someone's face and back profile remain in mind, and that it leaves a lasting impression as audiences leave the theater.

Lastly, Kim Sung-cheol expressed his wish, saying, "Since it has been a difficult time since last year, I hope 'The Old Woman with the Knife' conveys a voice of comfort and inspiration. It's my hope that by around May 1st, the situation will have improved and there will be no issues."

[Photo] OSEN Reporter Jo Eun-jung

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