Rising Star Seo Soo-bin Shines in 'The Owner of the World' with a Powerful Debut Performance

Actresses Chun Woo-hee and Jeon Yeo-bin gained recognition in the film industry with their compelling performances in 'Han Gong-ju' and 'After My Death,' respectively. Both films, based on shocking real-life events, highlight the experiences of ordinary girls facing extraordinary circumstances.

This brings to mind Seo Soo-bin, the protagonist of the film 'The Owner of the World,' directed by the legendary indie filmmaker Yoon Ga-eun. This film marks Seo Soo-bin's acting debut, where she delivers a realistic portrayal of a teenage girl's exploration of sexuality, love, and trauma.

On the 20th, I met Seo Soo-bin at a café in Palpan-dong, Seoul. 'The Owner of the World' follows the story of 18-year-old high school student Lee Joo-in (played by Seo Soo-bin), who stands alone in refusing to participate in a school-wide petition against the release of a child sex offender.

Seo Soo-bin expressed her excitement about debuting with this film, stating, "I am thrilled to debut with this project. It was Yoon Ga-eun's 'The House of Us' (2019) that solidified my path as an actress." Upon hearing the news of her casting, Seo Soo-bin shared, "I was so excited about Yoon Ga-eun's new project that I told my friend about it before even mentioning my audition success."

Recalling the day she went to receive the script from Director Yoon, Seo Soo-bin said, "I was called to the office to receive the script, but I was unsure why I was going. I wondered if I was in trouble for something. I went with a nervous heart," she laughed.

After reading the script at home, Seo Soo-bin was overwhelmed with emotions. She said, "I cried after reading it. I wanted to send a message to the director, but words couldn't convey my feelings, so I sent a selfie of myself crying. The director said it had been a while since he received a tearful selfie," she laughed.

Initially, Seo Soo-bin tried hard to empathize with Joo-in's pain. "Joo-in's emotional spectrum is wide, and it weighed heavily on me during preparation," she confessed. "The director told me not to feel burdened, as Joo-in isn't living a heavy life. I realized I could portray her as myself," she added.

Seo Soo-bin highlighted the parking lot scene as the most challenging. In this scene, Joo-in confronts her inner trauma and explosively reveals her emotions to her mother. The sound of the car wash machines amplifies Joo-in's cries, intensifying the emotional impact on the audience.

Seo Soo-bin shared, "Unlike the school scenes, the director didn't rehearse the car wash scene. We did it directly on set after one reading. I think the director wanted me to face Joo-in's inner self that day. I felt more connected to Joo-in's emotions during the actual shoot than during solo practice," she said.

Seo Soo-bin expressed gratitude to Jang Hye-jin, who played her mother, for her support during the car wash scene. "I felt anxious and lost focus, but my senior held my hand and calmed me down. Her support helped me regain focus," she said.

Seo Soo-bin revealed her diverse background, having practiced Taekwondo for 11 years and trained as an idol. "I've been on stage since elementary school, enjoying dance and music. I even formed a dance team in middle school and placed third in a major competition," she proudly shared. She also worked various part-time jobs, including as a Taekwondo instructor.

Explaining her decision to leave the idol path, Seo Soo-bin said, "The team's image didn't suit me. I realized being an idol wasn't my path and transitioned to acting." She added, "Looking back, quitting the idol path was part of becoming an actress. The singing and dancing skills I learned are beneficial for acting."

Director Yoon Ga-eun is known for discovering hidden talents with little acting experience, as seen in 'The World of Us' and 'The House of Us.' Seo Soo-bin's future as an actress looks promising. When asked about her aspirations, Seo Soo-bin said, "I'm still thinking about it. I'd love to do a sports-themed project like 'Million Dollar Baby' or '100 Yen Love,' where I can portray physical and gritty roles."

When asked about her favorite actors, Seo Soo-bin shyly mentioned, "I want to act with all my seniors, but especially Chun Woo-hee." She added, "Meeting Park Jung-min at the Toronto Film Festival was a dream come true, and I'd love to meet Bae Doo-na as well."

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