Lee Jung-eun Shines Again in Netflix Thriller 'In the Forest of No One'

Actress Lee Jung-eun has once again proven her worth with the Netflix series 'In the Forest of No One'.

Released on the 23rd of last month, the suspense thriller 'In the Forest of No One' tells the story of people whose peaceful lives are disrupted by a mysterious visitor during the height of summer, leading to uncontrollable events.

Lee Jung-eun plays the role of Yoon Bo-min, a former ace detective with a keen instinct who follows her gut to uncover the truth. Bo-min views solving cases as a kind of game, possessing a 'seeker' sense. She leaves the Seoul Major Crimes Unit to become a police chief in a small town, seeking a break with her daughter. However, she becomes a keen observer of the suspicious events surrounding Young-ha (played by Kim Yoon-seok) and connects the dots between the past involving Sang-jun (played by Yoon Kye-sang) and the present.

Lee Jung-eun's portrayal of Yoon Bo-min differs from the typical detective seen in dramas. Although she is instinctively drawn to crime, she has grown into a character who can control these impulses through her experience. This is evident in a tense scene where she persuades Young-ha to prioritize his daughter's safety over catching the criminal. While she doesn't actively chase down criminals, breaking the detective cliché, her meticulous observation and restrained emotions make Bo-min a relatable and human character.

Director Mo Wan-il expressed his affection for the character Bo-min in an interview, stating, "Bo-min always exudes extreme likability and trust. I thought that by drawing a well-rounded person first and then adding the detective setting, the character would come to life." He also mentioned working with Lee Jung-eun, saying, "I once apologized to her while directing, asking her to ensure that viewers wouldn't question Bo-min's actions through her performance."

'In the Forest of No One' opts for a narrative style where viewers piece together various bits of information rather than having everything explained. There is no detailed backstory for Yoon Bo-min, but as viewers follow Lee Jung-eun's meticulously layered emotions, they come to understand Bo-min's heart. Her detailed acting brings to life the image of a middle-aged detective, even with a plain face and a sweat-stained T-shirt.

Lee Jung-eun masterfully controls the pace of her dialogue, maintaining her composure even when confronted by the aggressive Seong-ah (played by Go Min-si), and heightens the tension with her cold demeanor. Without any gimmicks, she portrays a lifelike detective solely through her acting, further solidifying the public's unwavering trust in her.

Already renowned for her performances in films like 'Parasite' and dramas like 'Our Blues', Lee Jung-eun continues to captivate audiences with her dense and charismatic portrayal in 'In the Forest of No One', following her charming role in 'She Who is Different by Day and Night'. Expectations are high for her future endeavors, as she consistently delivers meaningful performances.

Choi Ji-ye, TenAsia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr