Actor Kim Hee-ra expressed her thoughts on returning to commercial films after the school violence controversy through the film "The Savior."
On the afternoon of the 22nd, at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, a press screening and press conference for the film "The Savior" (director Shin Joon, provided by Studio Plum, distributed by MINE, produced by Mayday Studio and Studio Plum, co-produced by IFilm Corporation and Grida Studio) were held. At the event, lead actors Kim Byung-chul, Song Ji-hyo and Kim Hee-ra and director Shin Joon attended and discussed the film.
"The Savior" is a mystery occult film in which miraculous events happen to Young-beom and Sun-hee after they move to the blessed land of Obok-ri, and they learn that all of this is the price someone paid for misfortune. Kim Byung-chul, who was praised for the dramas "drama" "Mr. Sunshine" and "Doctor Cha," plays Young-beom, and Song Ji-hyo, who has been steadily loved for the variety show "Running Man," plays his wife Sun-hee. Kim Hee-ra plays Chun-seo, who lived in Obok-ri, heightening the mystery.
In particular, Kim Hee-ra began by saying, "I'm afraid because this is my first commercial film," revealing her nervousness and excitement. No wonder: Kim Hee-ra drew great attention in the 2023 Netflix series "The Glory" for her role as Lee Sa-ra, but was soon embroiled in a past school violence controversy. Seven months later, in April last year, her agency said she met with the parties involved, sorted out long-held memories, and agreed to support each other, ending the controversy.
Regarding this, Kim Hee-ra said again, "I previously released a statement through my agency. There were parts that caused concern, but I met the parties involved directly and through deep conversations we resolved the parts that were misunderstandings. After that we have supported each other's lives and still keep in contact."
She added, "I never absolutely avoided or felt wronged about the time afterward when I couldn't be active. I thought I would also experience that, so I filled that time with deep acting study and there wasn't a day I didn't think about acting. I became a bit stronger, reflected deeply and waited, and like a miracle I met a great project, so when I play Chun-seo I feel much more desperate and earnest and I want that miracle. But while being cursed, I realized that the things I thought were ordinary that I had been enjoying were actually miracles, and I approached each one with deep gratitude. So I will approach many future activities with deeper self-reflection and be able to give more and move forward."
She also explained why she chose "The Savior" as her first commercial film, saying, "I originally liked the occult genre itself, and this is a mystery occult. As you can see, when you look at each person closely there is no villain. People, desperate to regain the health, sight or ability to walk they should have, seek salvation, and incidents and crises arise from that. That gave the audience a new sense of eeriness and fear. And I thought the role of Chun-seo would be a great challenge for me. There were so many things I wanted to explore that I definitely wanted to try it," she emphasized.
"The Savior" opens on Nov. 5.
[Photo] OSEN reporter Park Jun-hyung.
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