[Interview] "It's Not Just 'Mask Girls' at Momi... Everyone Hides Dark Secrets Inside"

Netflix Original 'Mask Girl' Director Kim Yong-hoon
Efforts to Capture Human Duality and Ambivalence Behind the Mask
Ahn Jae-hong's Bold Visuals, Hair Loss Was My Idea
Rising Star Lee Han-byul Cast, Considered a Fateful Encounter

By day, an ordinary office worker; by night, Kim Momi (Lee Hanbyeol/Nana/Go Hyunjung) dons a mask and captivates as an adult broadcast BJ with dazzling dance moves and a stunning figure. In the Netflix original 'Mask Girl,' the reason he wears a mask is not only for mystique but largely as a shield to hide his appearance complexes. Even as everyone runs toward the image they desire and dream of, don’t we all carry a mask to conceal the flaws we dare not reveal? Director Kim Yonghoon, who directed Mask Girl, emphasizes that while the surface story deals with appearance-based discrimination, beneath it lies a portrayal of human duality and ambivalence. "It’s not only Momi who wears a mask. Everyone hides their dark inner selves. If you look closely, depending on the person and situation, they put on and take off new masks." Through the mask symbolizing pretense, hypocrisy, and duplicity, Director Kim reflects contemporary issues in the work, eliciting diverse reactions. Below is a Q&A with Director Kim.

Netflix Original 'Mask Girl' still.
[Photo by Netflix]

- I’m curious why you chose 'Mask Girl' as your next project after directing a film.

▲ I found the original webtoon very interesting. I was drawn not only to the intense story but also to the characters within the work. The narratives of characters standing on the borderline between good and evil came across vividly, and I found myself wondering, 'Why did each character come this far?' Also, the work contains many contemporary issues?appearance-based discrimination, religious problems, distorted motherhood, and other social issues are woven throughout. I thought it would be suitable to present it as a drama at this time. Drawn by the various thoughts and concerns I felt while reading the work, I decided to produce 'Mask Girl.'

- The characters with duality in the original work evoke mixed reactions from the audience, much like their direct portrayals.

▲ That aspect attracted me a lot. Depending on how you look at it, some might find them unlikable or uncomfortable. But why did they come this far? Why did they make these choices? Pondering these questions led to the creation of characters as intense as the protagonist.

Ahn Jae-hong, who played Joo Onam in the Netflix original 'Mask Girl.'
[Photo by Netflix]

- The strong performances of the intense characters stand out, especially the transformation of actor Ahn Jae-hong playing Joo Onam has become a hot topic.

▲ I saw a review jokingly asking, 'Is this Ahn Jae-hong’s retirement work?' (laughs) As a director, I actually feel a bit wronged. The character Joo Onam was born because Ahn Jae-hong actively wanted to break his image more than I did. The idea of hair loss was mine. The line 'Aishiteru (あい-する)' when confessing to Momi was Ahn’s ad-lib. There was no prior agreement on this, but since Joo Onam is an anime otaku (someone deeply obsessed with a particular field), he learned Japanese. When Ahn said 'Aishiteru' on set, laughter erupted among all the staff. Just before filming, Ahn suggested thickening his glasses lenses for the final character look, and I tried to dissuade him, but he wanted viewers to react with 'Is that really Ahn Jae-hong?' I tried to protect the actor in my own way, but in the end, it became an amazing transformation.

- Newcomer Lee Hanbyeol showed a perfect sync rate, almost like the live-action version of Kim Momi from the original. Is there any story behind the casting?

▲ She came to us like fate. While broadly searching for actors and even inquiring at model agencies, the assistant director, after explaining the character, noticed Lee Hanbyeol’s photo on the agency’s reception desk monitor and contacted us. When we met and talked, she was considering giving up on her dream of acting and had just submitted her profile photos to the model agency as a last effort. Her attitude, thoughts, and human charm strongly resonated with us, and these aspects played an important role in casting.

Director Kim Yong-hoon [Photo by Netflix]

- There are criticisms that Kim Momi’s villainous acts, emphasized in the original, were somewhat toned down during the adaptation to video.

▲ The original webtoon, as a genre, allowed a single character to lead the story continuously, but I thought such development might be tedious and somewhat risky in a drama. Considering this, we changed the character’s personality and the direction of the ending. The antagonistic relationship between Kim Momi and Kim Chunae (Miae) in the original was altered to a mutual support relationship, where women with similar pains build solidarity and friendship to solve problems. The original author mentioned that during the planning stage, they intended a romantic comedy between Momi and Joo Onam, but it turned into a thriller. The rivalry between Momi and Chunae felt artificial in the depiction. Ultimately, the story was changed to have Momi surrender after Chunae’s death triggers a change of heart. Featuring Kim Momi, who killed and mutilated a body, as the central figure might have made it difficult for viewers to follow the character on screen.

- Opinions differ regarding Kim Mimo’s biological father. Is Joo Onam really the biological father?

▲ Yes, he is. But I don’t think Momi cares much about that fact. Mimo is just Kim Momi’s child; the father is not important. When Momi informs Chunae of her pregnancy, she indirectly reveals the identity of the biological father but does not specify exactly whose child it is.

- Then, Kim Gyeongja (Yeom Hye-ran), who devotes her life to tracking and avenging Kim Momi, becomes a more tragic character.

▲ I wanted to create an ironic situation. I pondered what the most tragic ending would be for a character with distorted motherhood and religious beliefs. Even when her granddaughter appears before her and sincerely shows filial piety, Kim Gyeongja fails to recognize her and only tries to kill her. Isn’t that the most tragic situation?

In the Netflix original 'Mask Girl,' she also delivers a crazed performance as Kim Kyung-ja, who wields a shotgun with short hair.
[Photo courtesy of Netflix]

- Each episode shows a different directing style. Was this intentional?

▲ When directing, I wanted to vary the visual feel and music style in each episode. Just as everyone has their favorite tastes, I hoped each episode would have a distinct flavor. But I also thought it should be presented as one cohesive work. Since there aren’t many works like this, perhaps viewers find the unique aspects a bit unfamiliar.

- What kind of project are you planning next? Do you still intend to present works in the 'picaresque' genre?

▲ I’m researching various stories, including classic folktales, but nothing is decided yet. I’m not pursuing uncomfortable genres per se, but I find such characters fascinating and enjoy stories led by them. 'Beasts Clawing at Straws' was like that, and 'Mask Girl' also started because I was drawn to uncomfortable characters. If there’s a good story, I’d like to work on it again.