[Interview②] 'Chimipja' Song Ji-hyo: "Kim Mu-yeol, the Best Groom and a Reliable Actor"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actress Song Ji-hyo named Kim Mu-yeol as the top groom material. The two, who played siblings, delivered intense performances ranging from deep emotions to action scenes.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, they shared various stories during an interview held ahead of the release of the film Intruder (directed by Son Won-pyung).

Intruder is a mystery thriller about a family that begins to change little by little after the younger sister Yoo-jin (played by Song Ji-hyo), who had been missing, returns home after 25 years. The older brother Seo-jin, suspicious of the changes, pursues his sister’s secret and faces a shocking truth. In the film, Song Ji-hyo plays Yoo-jin, who appears gentle and kind but is shrouded in mystery with an unknown secret. The film is directed by Son Won-pyung, the author of the novel Almond.

Song Ji-hyo made a strong debut with a chilling look in her first work, Wishing Stairs (2003), the third installment of the Whispering Corridors series, which was known as a gateway for stars at the time. It attracted attention for being the most eerie and frightening in the series. In the film, Song Ji-hyo played Jin-sung, the perennial second place who was jealous of So-hee (Park Han-byul), who was perfect in skill, personality, and appearance. She captivated the audience by simultaneously expressing the innocence of a high school student with dreams of being the best and the ugliness of doing anything to reach the top. Now, after 17 years, she returns to the thriller genre with Intruder.

In the film, Kim Mu-yeol plays Seo-jin, the older brother who waited for his younger sister who disappeared 25 years ago to return, but after their reunion, he treats her as a stranger and keeps his distance. Song Ji-hyo plays Yoo-jin, the sister who chills the audience with her cold and eerie expressions, and the two portrayed siblings with strong chemistry. Song Ji-hyo said, “Kim Mu-yeol is reliable. From the start of the film, I trusted working with Mu-yeol. It was good to have someone to lean on during filming. Isn’t Mu-yeol a master of thrillers? Whenever I had doubts, I talked to him like venting, hoping he might know the answers. The responses he gave each time encouraged and motivated me,” showing her special affection.

Song Ji-hyo said, “We became closer and communicated more as humans after all the post-production was done and during the promotion period. Before that, we didn’t communicate much on a personal level. After filming, during promotional activities, it was easier to talk as human beings.”

Kim Mu-yeol married actress Yoon Seung-ah in April 2015. Song Ji-hyo said, “Kim Mu-yeol is probably the best spouse among the people I know. He treats his partner as a human being. I felt that he values the other person’s existence and respects their character.”

When asked about her thoughts on marriage, Song Ji-hyo said, “Unless the best person appears, I don’t think I will change my current lifestyle.” She added, “I am happy now. I am satisfied and happy with how I live, and I don’t want to meet someone by forcibly changing my lifestyle and emotions. I have no intention of artificially changing myself. I have staff and family who understand my work and lifestyle patterns, so I can endure confidently. I like the small daily routines and am content with the present. I have no particular desire to change.”

Intruder will be released on June 4.

Photo = Ace Maker Movie Works