[Interview] Kim Hyun-joo "How Wonderful It Would Have Been If I Had Worked with Kang Soo-yeon"

Netflix's 'Jeong-i' AI Mercenary Role
26-Year Veteran's Long-Awaited Challenge
"No Progress Without Diverse Attempts"

Actress Kim Hyun-joo (45) sat down for an interview after more than a decade. It was especially meaningful as she challenged herself with the SF action genre for the first time in her 26-year career. People usually associate her with melodramas or drama genres. She returned with a new face, not the image we typically imagine. She attributed the casting background that erased preconceived notions to the market changes brought by online streaming services (OTT).

Actor Kim Hyun-joo [Photo by Netflix]

Recently, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Kim Hyun-joo said, "As media has diversified, I feel those changes on set," adding, "If it were the old days, I probably wouldn't have been able to appear in works like 'Jung-E' or 'Hellbound'." She continued, "Global viewers don't have preconceived notions about me. They will view me more coldly, so it was worth trying. I can approach them with a new face beyond fixed images or prejudices. The expansion of the market works positively for actors," she said.

She added, "An environment has been created where I can try new acting in various genres. Regardless of the success of the works, I hope many contents with experimental spirits are produced. Progress requires diverse attempts. Although world-class content is being produced and gaining great popularity, we must not stop here but move forward. New works and attempts like 'Jung-E' should continue. I hope it acts as a good challenge and stimulus for juniors as well," she said.

Challenging SF Film After 26 Years Since Debut

Kim Hyun-joo, who began acting in 1997 with the MBC drama 'The Reason I Live,' challenged the SF genre for the first time in 26 years. She played the role of A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) Jung-E in the film 'Jung-E,' released on Netflix on the 20th. The film depicts the story of people trying to end a war that broke out in a shelter where they migrated after Earth was devastated by climate change by cloning the brain of the legendary mercenary Jung-E to develop the ultimate combat A.I.

Kim said, "I wore a motion capture suit to play Jung-E. Although it was created with CG (special effects), I wore the suit 100% and performed all movements myself to complete the motions. The action scenes were all performed by me, not CG." She added, "Not many people in Korea have tried motion capture acting. It was fun and fascinating," she said.

She worked again with director Yeon Sang-ho, who directed films like 'Train to Busan' (2016) and 'Peninsula' (2020), as well as the Netflix series 'Hellbound.' Kim expressed trust, saying, "I was able to do it because I was with Yeon Sang-ho." She continued, "As an actor, I applaud Director Yeon's attempts and courage. He has various ideas, and I want to work on new projects with him in the future. I always look forward to and am curious about it."

"I have always had a thirst to bring change by playing various roles. It doesn't happen just by deciding; someone has to notice that and choose me. I made bold attempts in photo shoots and appealed to show another side, but it didn't connect. When Director Yeon discovered that and offered me the role, my spirit of challenge was revived. I was stimulated by his attitude of constantly challenging himself as a director."

Ranked No.1 in Top 10, Mixed Global Reactions "Welcoming Criticism"

'Jung-E' recorded 19.3 million viewing hours within three days of its Netflix release, ranking first in the Netflix global Top 10 movies (non-English) category. It also made the Top 10 in 80 countries and regions, including South Korea, the United States, Germany, Spain, Taiwan, and Singapore. As of last month, Netflix's total number of subscribers reached 231 million.

Kim Hyun-joo laughed, saying, "I was anxious and restless the day before the release. I was on a drama set, but honestly, I couldn't concentrate." She added, "I worried and anticipated so much that I wondered if I had ever cared about results like this before. I kept checking (my phone) morning and night while waiting. Fortunately, I am happy with the good results."

Despite the statistics announced by Netflix, there have been harsh reviews. Global reactions are also mixed. When asked about this, Kim calmly said, "People might expect it to be an SF movie full of action just by watching the trailer. Since the trailer was made concisely, it inevitably gives that impression, so if you watch it expecting that, you might be disappointed." She added, "I like the title of Korean SF. It is a film that blends Korean sensibility and SF elements well. Please focus on that perspective when watching."

Emotional settings mainly cause divided opinions. Regarding the maternal love code in 'Jung-E,' Kim said, "Please think of it broadly as love between parents and children, not just maternal love. I think this is the most superior power humans have. At the same time, it is also a human weakness. The will to fight being broken and then re-emerging, and participating in the battle, are all because of maternal love, aren't they? We are telling that simultaneously," she said.

"I Think of the Late Kang Soo-yeon Every Day"

[Photo by Netflix]

'Jung-E' is also the last work of the late Kang Soo-yeon, who was loved for over 50 years and won Best Actress awards at prestigious domestic and international film festivals. Kim Hyun-joo did not hide her longing as she recalled filming with Kang Soo-yeon. Her eyes reddened every time she mentioned Kang Soo-yeon's name. Throughout the interview, she swallowed tears tightly and continued speaking, which was heart-wrenching.

"To me, senior Kang Soo-yeon was a legendary figure in my imagination. I had never met her even passing by. I knew her as a pillar of the Korean film industry but never imagined acting face-to-face. So I was scared to work together. When we first met, she treated me comfortably. She liked and cared for us actors. Until then, I was immature on set and had to act like an adult in front of younger juniors, but for the first time in a while, I was able to act cute and lean on my senior," she said.

When asked how it would have been if Kang Soo-yeon were alive, Kim answered without hesitation, "I think about it several times a day, every day." She added, "I keep imagining, but I don't know. Maybe she wouldn't have been very satisfied. Since she had a lot of experience with global popularity, she might not have shown much reaction or been easily swayed." She lowered her head and said, "If senior Kang Soo-yeon were here, wouldn't we all have met? Wouldn't she have wanted to share all the excitement, anticipation, and nervousness? I talked with Ryu Kyung-soo, and I think she would have kept praising us, saying we did well and worked hard."

"To me, 'Jung-E' is Kang Soo-yeon, Yeon Sang-ho, and Ryu Kyung-soo. It will probably remain a work that stays in my heart. I keep thinking about how it would have been if I had worked with Kang Soo-yeon. I have completely lost the ability to judge objectively and coldly. There may naturally be shortcomings. Leaving all that aside, I hope many people watch it. It is a work that will be remembered for a long time."