Director Min Yong-geun "Kim Da-mi and Jeon So-ni have stories in their eyes."

Director Min Yong-geun, who directed the movie 'Soulmate', talked about Jeon So-ni, who plays Ha-eun, and the relationship between Kim Da-mi and Jeon So-ni.

Director Min Yong-geun met with Ten Asia at the 'Soul Mate' pop-up store located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 6th and told various stories related to the upcoming movie 'Soul Mate'.

'Soul Mate' is the story of two friends, Miso (played by Da-mi Kim), Ha-eun (played by So-ni Jeon), and Jin-woo (played by Woo-seok Byeon), who recognized each other from their first meeting and shared everything together, including joy, sadness, excitement, and longing.

Director Min Yong-geun, who made an impressive debut with the movie 'Hyehwa, Dong', returns with 'Soulmate' 10 years after 'A Certain Perspective - Ice River'. It sheds light on not only friendship but also individual life, and by bringing in the subject matter of painting, it not only raises emotions more dramatically, but also differentiates itself from the original work to stimulate interest.

On this day, director Min Yong-geun said, "After receiving the offer for 'Soul Mate', I decided to do it, and soon after, 'Bad Cop' was released in theaters. It was produced by a producer I knew when that movie was made. I talked a lot about actress Jeon So-ni. “I heard about it. I watched the movie knowing only that a new actor played a significant role and had the impression that he had a clear personality,” he said.

He continued, "In 'Bad Cop', actress Jeon So-ni's eyes told a story. I didn't specifically have 'soul mate' in mind, but for the first time, I thought I wanted to work on a movie with actress Jeon So-ni. Afterwards, we had an interview. “I looked it up and they said, ‘I want to shake a lot,’ and ‘I want to grow while shaking,’” he added.

Director Min Yong-geun said, "I haven't met and talked to him, but I was curious about his attitude toward life and his sensibility. After that, I happened to go to the GV screening of 'The Gates of Night Open' and we met by chance. I greeted him for about 5 minutes, and he left an impression on me. “I stayed strong,” he recalled.

Director Min Yong-geun is said to have continued to have coincidental encounters with Jeon So-ni. He said, "My close friend was sick, so I went to visit her, and the next time, actress Jeon So-ni came to visit me. At that time, I was in the middle of carefully writing a scenario. When I took on the character of Ha-eun, I thought she would fit well. (Jeon So-ni) “I don’t know what the actor’s eyes are, but I wanted to bring out the story.”

Kim Da-mi and Jeon So-ni became close friends through 'Soul Mate'. In particular, Jeon So-ni said that she felt camaraderie with Kim Da-mi. Director Min Yong-geun said, "I like the fact that two people with stories in their eyes have become best friends, regardless of the movie. I don't think movies can lie. Their relationship has no choice but to be revealed."

He also said, "I feel like I can't hide the relationship between the two, whether they are just pretending to be close or whether they are sharing something deep. It is up to the audience to judge how it turned out in the end. Actors Da-mi Kim and So-ni Jeon have different personalities. “The acting styles are also different. I watched the process of fully communicating with each other even in different situations. Just seeing that that touching relationship can continue even after the movie ends makes it worthwhile to make the movie,” he said, expressing his satisfaction.

Director Min Yong-geun said, "We met often even after filming was over. We even went to a housewarming party when So-ni Jeon said she had moved. Actress Da-mi Kim and So-ni Jeon talk well together. There are many times when I watch them talking while talking together. “It was the same when filming the movie, and I saw them talking during post-production and while waiting for release.”

Director Min Yong-geun said, "In a way, because they are actors, there are not many people to talk openly about. There are professional characteristics, and there are also sensitive parts of the job, aren't there? But the two people had the feeling that they were able to overcome those aspects. When talking, there are times when I look into the eyes of two people for a long time. Strangely, the feeling is different from that between boyfriends. I really don't know why, but it is touching. I'm not talking about a sad story, but seeing two beings talking so openly. “There was something touching about it,” he said, expressing his affection.

Meanwhile, 'Soulmate' will be released on the 15th.

Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr