Suzy and Ko Hyun-jung Shine in Psychopath Roles, Captivating Audiences Worldwide

Playing a psychopath character is a double-edged sword for actors. It can either expose their limitations or showcase their talents. Recently, actresses Suzy and Ko Hyun-jung have received praise for their performances in such roles.

The Netflix series 'Genie, Make A Wish' is a fantasy romantic comedy about a genie named Jinny (played by Kim Woo-bin) who awakens after a thousand years and meets a human named Ka-young (played by Suzy), leading to a story centered around three wishes. According to Netflix's Tudum Top 10 site, 'Genie, Make A Wish' recorded 4 million views within three days of its release on October 3, ranking 5th in the global Top 10 series (non-English) category.

In 'Genie, Make A Wish,' Suzy plays Ka-young, a character with antisocial personality disorder. Unlike traditional psychopath characters depicted as 'demons,' Suzy's Ka-young is more of a 'mischief-maker.'

Raised by her grandmother, Ka-young strictly adheres to rules and routines learned through acquired learning. Although a psychopath, she possesses a 'human's good will.' Suzy portrays Ka-young as a unique psychopath, different from the typically chilling portrayals, with a blunt and quirky demeanor. Even when Jinny claims, "Humans eventually all become corrupt," Ka-young retorts, "I'm the only bad thing in the world," showing a more human side.

Despite occasionally hitting Jinny due to his annoying obsession with wishes, Ka-young's anticipation of Jinny's rules and routines for a kiss adds a touch of cuteness. Suzy's portrayal of Ka-young, who is honest about her emotions and adheres to societal norms despite lacking social skills, makes the character endearing. Her expressionless and unresponsive acting is particularly captivating.

Ko Hyun-jung concluded the drama 'Queen Mantis' with a final episode rating of 7.4%, earning acclaim. The drama revolves around a copycat crime of the 'Mantis' serial killer case from 20 years ago. Detective Cha Soo-yeol (played by Jang Dong-yoon) collaborates with his mother, the former serial killer 'Mantis,' Jung Yi-shin (played by Ko Hyun-jung), to solve the case.

Ko Hyun-jung captivated viewers with her intense presence from the beginning of the series. Her inscrutable gaze and expressions, along with subtle changes in breathing, delivered a chilling performance. She vividly portrayed the character's complex facets, from deriving pleasure from killing to moments of maternal instinct during collaboration with her son. Her portrayal of a cold-blooded killer and a warm mother was noted for its impressive intensity.

Playing a psychopath can potentially disrupt the entire narrative if not executed well, revealing an actor's limitations. However, when done successfully, it offers an opportunity for actors to be spotlighted once again. Suzy and Ko Hyun-jung have achieved the latter.

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