A standout among Hollywood blockbusters like 'Spider-Man' and Christopher Nolan's latest film 'Odyssey,' the well-crafted Korean movie 'Gyeongju Journey' has made a bold entrance. Directed by Kim Mi-jo, known for her acclaimed film 'The Seagull,' the movie features a seamless ensemble of top-tier actors including Lee Jung-eun, Gong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon, delivering an unprecedented tale of vibrant revenge.
On August 13, a press screening for 'Gyeongju Journey' took place at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Songpa-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by director Kim Mi-jo and cast members Lee Jung-eun, Gong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, Lee Yeon, and Byun Yo-han.
'Gyeongju Journey' tells the story of four sisters who embark on a 'killing' trip after waiting eight years for their youngest sister, Gyeongju, who did not return from a school trip.
Director Kim Mi-jo shared her thoughts on the film's premise, stating, "When I watched existing revenge dramas, I wondered, 'Is it really easy to come to that decision?' Taking a life is never simple. While the film takes on an inefficient form of family revenge, it fundamentally focuses on how to overcome the loss of family and the choices a mother makes that defy common sense."
Regarding the choice to center the story on four sisters, Kim noted, "Having grown up as the youngest in a family with four daughters, I felt I could confidently portray the emotions and stories I know best," raising anticipation for the complex relationships between the mother and her daughters.
Kim also discussed the film's commercial viability and directorial challenges, saying, "I always try to fit the format within the production environment and story I can manage. This work is a family story that intertwines comedy and tragedy, and I directed it accordingly. Thanks to the professionalism of the action director and the cast's ability to handle action scenes, we were able to film action sequences like car chases without difficulty."
Lee Jung-eun plays the mother, Ok-sil, who is consumed by revenge after losing her youngest daughter. Gong Hyo-jin portrays the eldest daughter, Jang-joo, who prioritizes family, while Park So-dam plays the calculating second daughter, Yeong-joo, and Lee Yeon takes on the role of the tough third daughter, Dong-joo.
Lee Jung-eun expressed her enthusiasm for the script, saying, "From the first reading, I found the script to be excellent. Our 'daughters' chose their roles first and waited, which led to this serendipitous casting."
Gong Hyo-jin shared her intense thought process during character development, stating, "I didn’t have much in common with Jang-joo. I often thought, 'If this were real, wouldn’t it be right to stop my mother?' We constantly discussed how an ordinary family of victims would react and how to make it feel authentic during our meals together."
She added, "Jang-joo is not a daughter who is anxious but rather a chic daughter who becomes a strong support for her mother, ensuring everyone’s safety. We included details like getting matching blue eyebrow tattoos at the bathhouse, which the director captured perfectly."
Byun Yo-han, who joined the project on a no-fee basis due to his connection with the production company, expressed his strong trust in the impressive cast. He said, "Every time I meet Lee Jung-eun, she inspires me, and I have always been a fan of Gong Hyo-jin. Seeing Park So-dam's solid acting and Lee Yeon's innate energy, I felt there was no reason not to participate in this project."
He praised the flawless ensemble of the four sisters, stating, "Although I am not a daughter, I felt a deep sense of family love while watching the film. Gong Hyo-jin created a comfortable atmosphere whenever Lee Jung-eun wavered, fulfilling her role as the eldest daughter both on and off camera. Park So-dam portrayed the edgy second daughter without showing it, while Lee Yeon excellently expressed the toughest yet most vulnerable youngest daughter. The ensemble was truly remarkable."
Despite the sorrow of losing their youngest sister, the chemistry among the sisters shone through. Park So-dam remarked, "From the moment I read the script, it resonated deeply with me, and I wanted to do well. I never felt confused during filming, thanks to the director and my seniors. I hope the energy we created together, from cold to hot days, reaches the audience in theaters."
Lee Yeon emphasized the importance of growth as an actor, saying, "I value my development as an actor, and I learned a lot from spending quality time with such excellent seniors. As an only daughter in real life, I felt incredibly happy to gain real siblings through this experience."
Gong Hyo-jin praised director Kim Mi-jo's passion and leadership, stating, "She is particularly strong in her enthusiasm and drive. Since she wrote the script, I felt her presence in the characters, which added pressure and responsibility to my performance. Her exceptional leadership ensured that we followed the schedule without a single delay, and her relentless pursuit of perfection during post-production showcased her love for the film, which truly made it shine."
In response, Kim Mi-jo acknowledged, "I have a lot of ambition, and I made the actors work hard with repeated takes for action scenes, but I felt reassured during editing. I consider myself blessed and fortunate as a rookie director."
Finally, the cast encouraged audiences to see the film. Byun Yo-han said, "I hope viewers can empathize with the journey of the four sisters and how it will resonate with them." Gong Hyo-jin added, "I believe we have created a film that surpasses the script. I hope many people can feel the deep emotions we experienced. If you have the time, please don’t hesitate to invest 1 hour and 40 minutes; it will be a choice you won’t regret."
'Gyeongju Journey' is set to be released in theaters on August 28.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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