Joo Hyun-young is taking on her first leading role in a film with ‘The Horror Train’.
On the afternoon of the 24th, a screening and press conference for the movie ‘The Horror Train’ was held at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul. Director Tak Se-woong and actors Joo Hyun-young, Jeon Bae-soo, and Choi Bo-min attended.
‘The Horror Train’ is a mystery horror film where a horror YouTuber named Da-kyung (played by Joo Hyun-young) uncovers the secrets of Gwangrim Station, where a series of mysterious disappearances occur, leading her to face horrific events. It has been officially invited to the Midnight Passion section of the Busan International Film Festival.
Director Tak Se-woong stated, “I thought the charm of this movie lies in the subway setting. I often use the subway, and there are moments when I feel something strange while riding it. It’s a confined space where an unspecified number of people pass by. Many people are either looking at their phones or sleeping, and it feels odd and bizarre that no one is looking at each other and everyone is disconnected. I started thinking about what it would be like if a ghost were placed among these disconnected characters. I wanted to create a sense of fear that comes from the everyday subway.”
He continued, regarding the casting of Joo Hyun-young, “I was a fan of Joo Hyun-young. When I watched SNL, I thought about how this actress would perform in a horror film. I had confidence that we could show a different side together. I believed that the character Da-kyung, who drives the story, should have a charm that can attract people. I thought she was a suitable actress for that. Personally, when I look at the protagonist in a horror film, I focus on their eyes, and I think she has depth. I thought it would be more attractive if someone who doesn’t seem like they would be consumed by desire played that role. So, I felt Joo Hyun-young was a good fit.”
Joo Hyun-young, who has been active in dramas such as ‘The Contract Marriage of Yeolnyeo Park’ and ‘Surviving as a Celebrity Manager’, takes on the role of Da-kyung in her first thriller lead. Jeon Bae-soo, who left a strong impression in dramas like ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ and ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’, plays the station master of Gwangrim Station. Choi Bo-min, known for his roles in dramas like ‘18 Again’ and ‘Ateen2’, makes his screen debut as Woo-jin, a PD at a YouTube company.
Joo Hyun-young said, “I didn’t think my first debut had to be in a horror film. I had to seize the opportunity when it came, and I’m grateful that such an opportunity has come my way.” She confessed, “I loved horror films so much that my parents tried to dissuade me from watching them, saying they were bad for my emotions. They even threw away all the horror comics and books I had at home on a rainy day.”
She continued, “Watching horror films has enriched my imagination and provided me with a lot of inspiration. It has been a source of nourishment for my dream of becoming an actress. Just the fact that I’m filming a horror movie made me want to dive in without any hesitation, and I wanted to do it right away.”
Joo Hyun-young also mentioned, “I didn’t think the MZ character I played on SNL was connected. I actually look for horror YouTubers. They are not MZ, but people who have communicated with their viewers for a long time. I like their channels and am a fan, so when I got the role of a horror YouTuber, I sought their advice. I wanted to understand how horror YouTubers conduct their research, separate from the MZ image. I’m grateful for the love the public has shown me for the image they’ve seen, and I approached this with excitement, wanting to slowly show new sides of myself one by one.”
Jeon Bae-soo said, “I’ve done a lot of dramas, but I made my film debut. These days, not many films are being produced. When I thought about wanting to do a film, I received the script.” He explained, “In dramas, I usually play widowers, but I thought I could show a different side. The genre of this film piqued my curiosity.”
Regarding reuniting with Joo Hyun-young after ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’, he said, “We didn’t get to interact much during ‘Woo Young-woo’. In this project, we got to work together a lot. It felt familiar, like meeting my daughter Woo Young-woo. Joo Hyun-young is very friendly and made me comfortable. She is a smart actress who quickly understands the director’s direction.”
Choi Bo-min expressed, “It’s meaningful because it’s my first film, and I’m nervous and excited since it’s my first time in such a setting. I was worried and concerned about my first screen project. The reason I chose this work is that I liked the character and found the script interesting.”
He added, “When there’s pressure from the first attempt, the director and everyone around helped me shake off my worries about making decisions, and I wanted to do it. I think it’s a meaningful and successful project because many people around me helped.”
He continued, “Woo-jin helps to neutralize the horror as it unfolds. In that regard, I had many discussions with the director and Joo Hyun-young about what kind of portrayal would be good. I focused on allowing the audience to feel different emotions within the horror theme. Joo Hyun-young did a great job of lightening the atmosphere on set. It wasn’t difficult to match the chemistry between Da-kyung and Woo-jin.”
‘The Horror Train’ is set to be released on July 9.
