"Salmokji" Kim Hyeyoon revealed why she chose a horror film as her screen comeback.
On the morning of Apr. 4 at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul, a footage screening and production briefing for the film "Salmokji" was held. Director Lee Sang-min, lead actors Kim Hyeyoon, Lee Jong-won, Kim Jun Han, Kim Young-seong, Oh Dong-min, Yoon Jae-chan, Jang Da-a and others attended.
"Salmokji" (director Lee Sang-min, distributed by SHOWBOX, produced by The Lamp Co.) is a horror film in which an unidentified shape appears in a road view photo titled "Salmokji," and during a reshoot the crew heads to a reservoir and encounters something in the black, deep water. It is director Lee Sang-min's first solo feature film, after building his own color and sensibility in the horror genre with short films such as "Ham Jin-abi," "Dolrimchong," and "The App That Calls Ghosts: Young."
Kim Hyeyoon passionately played PD Su-in, who leads the crew to Salmokji to reshoot the road view photo in which an unidentified shape was captured. Kim Hyeyoon, who has appeared in dramas such as "Sky Castle," "Lovely Runner," and "No Tail to Tell," won the Blue Dragon Film Award and the Grand Bell Award for best new actress in 2022 for the independent film "The Girl on the Bulldozer," and through "Salmokji" she returns to the big screen after four years to take on a "horror queen" transformation.
Lee Jong-won plays Ki-tae, a PD at the road view company in the film. He heads to Salmokji looking for his colleague Su-in and encounters horror that sinks like a swamp. It is his first leading role in a commercial film and his challenge in the horror genre with "Salmokji." Kim Jun Han plays Gyo-sik, the on-road media team leader who used to care only about work and whom Su-in trusts and follows more than anyone.
On why she chose "Salmokji" as her comeback work, she said, "First, the subject of water ghosts felt fresh," and added, "Su-in is a character who expresses emotion with just her expression and eyes, so Su-in's restrained aspects felt attractive, which is why I chose it."
She said, "It's my first challenge in a horror film, but I really like horror movies. The sense of fear on set while filming was fun. I don't know if 'I was really thrilled' is the right expression, but it was exciting and fun while filming," and added, "I tried to perform with refined expression, removing some of the loveliness. The director always guided me well on set, so I think the character Su-in was created."
Kim Jun Han praised their chemistry with Kim Hyeyoon, saying, "I think Su-in suppresses, restrains and contains her emotions for various reasons, and I felt Kim Hyeyoon's depth in carrying the weight of the work steadily. This is the first time we have worked together, but I was able to rely on her and act confidently."
Lee Jong-won also confessed, "We hadn't known each other long when we started working together, but I felt an incredible ability to quickly become close. The energy and stamina from such a small frame were extraordinary," and added, "In horror films, the eyes are very important. Those eyes are shown tremendously in 'Salmokji.' Watching those eyes, I thought, 'I can't believe I can match that rhythm.' It was very good."
Meanwhile, "Salmokji" opens Apr. 8.
[Photo] Park Joonhyung reporter
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