Actor Jung Young-joo opened up about undergoing a shaved-head transformation for the film "Project Y."
On the afternoon of Jan. 16, a production press conference for the film "Project Y" was held at Megabox COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul. Present were the film's principal actors Han So-hee, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Shin-rok, Jung Young-joo, Lee Jae-gyun, YooA (Oh My Girl) and director Lee Hwan, who discussed the film under the moderation of Jaejae.
"Project Y" is a film that tells the story of Miseon (Han So-hee) and Dokyung (Jeon Jong-seo), who, dreaming of a different tomorrow amid a dazzling city, steal black money and gold bullion at the brink of their lives. Among them, Jung Young-joo, who made her name as a musical veteran, transforms into a striking new look for the role of Hwang-so, the right-hand person of villain To-sajang (Kim Sung-cheol), even shaving her head for the part.
Jung Young-joo said, "I already knew the director well, but he asked to meet and when I received the script I had a bad feeling it would be that role. Sure enough, he showed me an old photo of me from 2014 and said even though I look more grown now, do that hair, so I felt I couldn't avoid it. The script was fun; I read it in one sitting and it had an incredible pace. When I heard about the rest of the cast, there was no reason to refuse. I thought, why not have some fun," she laughed.
About the character Hwang-so, she laughed, "My father will be very surprised," and said, "From the start the image had to carry cruelty and presence. She is a person moved by capital. Because of her connection with To-sajang, she comes into Hwajung Market to sort out someone muddying the waters. There is the collision with the history of Hwajung Market and the part where she relentlessly torments the two protagonists. To show both sides, I felt there was no convincing option other than shaving my head. I filmed it enjoyably and refreshingly," she said with a laugh.
On the shaved-head transformation, Jung Young-joo said, "As an actor, shaving your head is not an easy choice, but it's not an easy opportunity either. Being able to perform once on stage and once with a shaved head in front of the camera felt 'lucky' in my acting life. People around me worried a lot. They asked if shaving would be okay and told me to consider my age. They said it was cold. But I wanted the bald look to be convincing to viewers. When the director said to shave and said he could picture that image, I thought the exposed forehead and veins that came from it did a lot more than my shaved head alone; on the last day I thought, 'Shaving was the right move.' (My scalp was) cold though," she laughed.
Lee Jae-gyun, who saw Hwang-so up close, said with a laugh, "I have a very long relationship with senior Yeong-joo and we are comfortable with each other. She treats me warmly and comfortably. Acting came out naturally. I automatically said, 'I'm sorry, I was wrong' to the point that it just came out. Her actual charisma was much greater."
Kim Shin-rok also laughed, "I filmed two scenes with (Jung Young-joo). In the first scene I had to be very alert. I still had my hair and wondered what to do. I tried to absorb the senior's energy. The second scene was our film's signature scene. At first it was so hard, but later we burst into nervous laughter and hugged while filming. That scene is the most memorable."
Jung Young-joo responded, "It was hot, fresh madness. We had to bind our bodies in the difficult situation, thinking 'we might actually come to blows' as we filmed. At the same time, you can act by trusting someone, so I felt 'lucky' to be able to work with actor Shin-rok," she reciprocated.
"Project Y" opens on Jan. 21, 2026.
[Photo] OSEN photographer Lee Dae-seon.
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