Jo Yeo-jeong Reflects on Her Intense Role in 'The Murderer Report'

"I was drained, but in a good way."

Jo Yeo-jeong, the lead actress of the film 'The Murderer Report,' shared her thoughts after watching the movie. She stated, "This film is meant to make the audience think, so that kind of draining is a good thing. As you immerse yourself in thought, the power of the film leaves you feeling dazed."

Set to release on the 5th, 'The Murderer Report' follows the story of Seon-joo (played by Jo Yeo-jeong), a journalist desperate for a scoop, who is approached by psychiatrist Young-hoon (played by Jung Sung-il) with a confession of serial murders. Jo Yeo-jeong's description of feeling 'dazed' is fitting, as the intense interview between the journalist and the serial killer in a confined space creates palpable tension.

"I'm cautious about using the word 'pride.' People might think, 'Oh, she must think she acted really well.' But my pride is in the work itself. It's a film that sparks conversation and thought. I'm proud to have been part of a film with a format I've never seen before. I hope viewers appreciate that such a film has been made."

The film's 107-minute runtime is largely composed of tense dialogues between Jo Yeo-jeong and Jung Sung-il. Both actors had to handle a significant amount of dialogue. Jo Yeo-jeong humorously shared, "I felt sorry for oppa (Jung Sung-il), but I comforted myself by thinking, 'At least I have less to memorize than oppa.' I thought, 'If oppa can do it, I can't let myself fail. Look at oppa's lines. I'm less burdened than him. It's no problem.' Sometimes, you just have to think relatively."

When asked about her method for memorizing lines, Jo Yeo-jeong replied, "I mumble them constantly. Even while traveling with my manager, I suddenly blurt them out. Sometimes my manager responds, not realizing it's a line. I keep mumbling, even while doing household chores. Haha."

Due to its 'intimate interview thriller' nature, Jo Yeo-jeong deliberated over her decision to take on the role. She confessed, "The film is essentially Jo Yeo-jeong and Jung Sung-il. There's nowhere to hide. The acting had to be more nuanced. I was most afraid of my mistakes or flaws being exposed. Actors don't express it, but we're always scared of being found out, of our limits being revealed. It's natural. I don't think any actor confidently believes they have endless cards to play."

"I was scared and thought a lot, but ultimately, I chose to do it because I realized, 'If I run away now, I'll run away again when another opportunity to test myself comes.' If I kept running, trying would become scarier, so I decided to face it. It's better to face the music sooner. I don't want my skills to be overestimated; it's embarrassing. I was determined to face it as I am, even if I'm lacking."

Jo Yeo-jeong described 'The Murderer Report' as a physically demanding project. She said, "I don't think I have a weak concentration, but this project required focus and stamina. I'm a bit lacking in stamina," she laughed. The film demanded high levels of immersion. She expressed a sense of accomplishment in managing her condition and completing the project well.

As Seon-joo's emotions escalate in the latter part of the film, Jo Yeo-jeong invested more energy into her emotional performance. She admitted, "In the later scenes, I honestly don't know what state of mind I was in while acting. I was completely immersed. It felt like someone else entirely was performing. Looking back now, I wonder what state of mind I was in."

With 'The Murderer Report' unfolding almost like a two-person play, would Jo Yeo-jeong consider taking on stage acting?

"I'm always open to it. I've never closed the door on the idea of performing on stage. It's not because of this film; I've always been open. I regularly receive theater scripts and talk about it. It's just that I can't do it due to scheduling conflicts. I'm always open to it."

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr