[On the Record] Kim Yoon-jin: "Original World Star? Now Is the Era of Korean Cinema"

Actor Kim Yoon-jin Interview

Lead and Co-producer of the Film 'Dog Days'
"Expecting a Happy Ending Surpassing 2 Million Break-even Point"

"What if my pet dog Dungi, who crossed the rainbow bridge, came back to life? I want to hear her say, 'Mom, I'm hurting here.' It would be great if she could tell me exactly where it hurts. If a product that can understand a pet's words comes out, I would bet all my assets and invest in it."

Actress Kim Yoon-jin (50) expressed her deep affection, saying that her pet dog, who had passed away and gone to heaven, still comes to mind. Meeting at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, she showed special affection in an interview with Asia Economy, saying, "We were a family that unusually loved dogs." She also shared an anecdote about imagining opening the door of her house in the U.S. and being connected to Korea to visit her dog. She was so sincere that she still keeps the fur of a dog she raised as a child in a handkerchief even after several decades.

Actor Kim Yoon-jin [Photo by CJ ENM]

Korean Adaptation of American Film... Co-producer Participation

Her deep love for her pet dog led to the creation of the film Dog Days. She decided to remake the Korean version after accidentally watching the original American film Happy D Day (2020) on a plane and bursting into tears. She recalled, "It was shortly after I had sent Dungi off, so I couldn't control my emotions."

When JK Film, the production company she had worked with on films like Harmony (2010), Ode to My Father (2014), and Pawn (2020), accepted the proposal, she went to Los Angeles (LA) to meet the people involved and purchased the rights. Along with JK Film, her husband Park Jung-hyuk's company Zion ENT co-produced Dog Days, following their previous collaborations on The Neighbor (2012) and House of Time (2017). Kim Yoon-jin also participated as a co-producer for the first time. She said, "Casting for the Korean remake was the most important, and when I thought about who would do it best, it was obviously JK Film." She added, "I went to persuade director Yoon Je-kyun. After watching the original film, director Yoon said, 'I really like this kind of movie,' and immediately said 'Okay' that day. We didn't have to go to Plan B or C; Plan A was successful."

Dog Days stills [Photo by CJ ENM]

Dog Days, which opens on the 7th, tells the story of lonely people such as a successful architect and an MZ rider who find warmth in life through meeting their pets. The omnibus-style film interweaves episodes featuring Yoo Hae-jin & Kim Seo-hyung, Youn Yuh-jung & Tang Jun-sang, Daniel Henney & Lee Hyun-woo, and Kim Yoon-jin & Jung Sung-hwa. It warmly portrays how meeting a pet dog brings warmth in a harsh life, and how they become another family to each other. The film is directed by Kim Deok-min, who served as assistant director on Hero (2022).

The original was adapted into a Korean version based on Korean sensibilities by writer Yoo Young-ah and director Yoon Je-kyun. Kim Yoon-jin said, "We changed the characters' ages and genders to fit the domestic audience's sensibilities. About 70% was adapted. If you watch the two films 10 years later, you'll feel the difference." She added, "It's not a film that deeply explores topics like infertility or adoption, but I didn't want it to be too light either. Director Yoon smartly adapted these parts to fit a commercial film." She also laughed, saying, "The characters and couple settings were written with my husband and me in mind. We are a couple who try to live fun lives with sharp jokes."

"I didn't expect the cast to be this glamorous. It got too big. (laughs) After the production briefing, while eating, I heard that our film's break-even point (BEP) is 2 million viewers. So I blurted out, 'Director, why? What happened with the production costs?' At first, we imagined a happy ending with 1 to 1.5 million viewers, thinking 'We did well.' Even though there aren't many special effects (CG), the production costs were high due to 12-hour shoots and insurance. In the past, a 2 to 3 billion won film was standard, but now 6 to 7 billion won is the baseline. Our goal is for everyone to part with smiles without anyone losing money."

"Recognition Rises with Psy and BTS... Hollywood Entry Becomes Routine"

Actor Kim Yoon-jin [Photo by CJ ENM]

Sitting at the interview table, producer Kim Yoon-jin's expression was different. She said, "I learned a lot. I've worked as an actress for over 25 years, but I didn't know it was this much. I saw a new side of myself." She continued, "I want to treat the production team well from now on. In the past, I tried to respond within a week after receiving a script and deciding to appear, but that was long. Now that I'm producing, I wonder, 'Why does it take so long to read one script?' From now on, I'll respond within three days," she laughed.

Kim Yoon-jin is considered an original 'World Star.' She earned this title by appearing in the American ABC drama Lost (2004). Nowadays, with the development of online streaming services (OTT), the term 'overseas expansion' has become meaningless, but there was a time when she went to the U.S. and distributed her profile, working hard on foot. She confessed, "It wasn't comfortable. It was so hard that I had facial paralysis."

"Now, would anyone ask, 'Did they enter Hollywood?' after reading an article? Working in Hollywood has become routine for domestic actors. It's not treated as a special event. I have mixed feelings. Back when I was on Lost, there weren't many Asian actors in dramas. Even if I spoke Korean, I didn't have to be asked, 'Are you from South Korea or North Korea?' (laughs) It's nice to be well known as the country of Psy and BTS. Yesterday was history, tomorrow is mystery, and today is a gift. I'm proud and grateful that it was part of my history, but you never know what tomorrow will bring. Even now, I'm constantly auditioning. Even if I keep failing, I'll keep trying."