MOVIE
Jo Yeo-jeong Embraces Unique Cinematic Challenge in 'The Murderer Report'
On the 28th, a press screening for the film 'The Murderer Report' was held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Director Jo Young-jun, along with actors Jo Yeo-jeong, Jung Sung-il, and Kim Tae-han, attended the event.
'The Murderer Report' follows the story of veteran journalist Seon-joo (played by Jo Yeo-jeong), who is eager for a scoop. She receives an interview request from psychiatrist Young-hoon (played by Jung Sung-il), who confesses to a series of murders.
Jo Yeo-jeong plays Baek Seon-joo, a social affairs reporter who accepts the interview request from the murderer for an exclusive story. She shared, “It was a film format I had never seen before, making me realize that a two-hour movie could be possible in this style. Although I wanted to avoid it due to its difficulty, I ultimately wanted to take on the challenge. It was a film that made me glad I took the risk.”
She continued, “We had to intensely portray the events occurring within a few hours inside a suite room. While we shared our concerns intensely behind the monitor outside the set, we tried to keep the atmosphere as pleasant as possible when together. We bonded like siblings to make the film enjoyable.”
Jo Yeo-jeong admitted, “Because it was a format I had never seen before, there was nowhere to hide if my acting wasn't up to par. That was why I wanted to avoid it. The script was so well-crafted that I feared if I didn't express it effectively, it would leave a significant gap in the film. That's why I wanted to avoid it.” However, she added, “If it weren't for this project, I wonder if I could have shown this side of myself. It feels rare. It shows the duality of being both a journalist and a mother. Starting as a cold journalist and revealing the motherly side. That's why I'm glad I took the risk.”
In Jo Yeo-jeong's recent films, 'Parasite', 'The Hidden Face', and now 'The Murderer Report', the common theme of 'confined spaces' appears. Jo Yeo-jeong explained, “During 'The Hidden Face', I didn't think about the confined space in 'Parasite', and during 'The Murderer Report', I wasn't particularly conscious of the confined space in 'The Hidden Face'. In hindsight, the tension that confined spaces bring is a common thread in these works. However, that wasn't the focal point of my choice. Actors tend to choose based on their character and story. I have a desire to explore different characters as much as possible. I chose these roles because I wanted to meet different characters.”
By Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr
