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| Director Kim Ha-ra, from left, actors Ahn Nae-sang, Wang Ji-hye, and Lee Si-eon attend a press conference for the mystery thriller "Killed My Wife," at Yongsan CGV in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Kth |
TV show star takes on first lead role in film
By Lee Gyu-lee
Many actors rose to stardom through roles in iconic movies. For actor Lee Si-eon, however, his career launch pad was not a movie in which he appeared, but was a reality show.
His name came to be known to the public through MBC's hit show "I Live Alone," drawing fans' attention for his goofy and funny personality.
He is set to turn his reality-show image upside down with his very first lead role in his 10-year career with the new mystery thriller film "Killed My Wife."
"I had a different tone with this film, compared to how I seem on 'I Live Alone.' So instead of trying to create a different image, I just tried to show a different side of me which I think is more relevant to my actual personality," he said during a press conference for the film, Thursday, at Yongsan CGV in Seoul.
The mystery thriller begins with Lee's character Jung-ho waking up hungover with bloody hands and bloodstains over his shirt. With no memories from the previous night out with his friend, he finds out that his estranged wife has been murdered when Lt. Choi (Ahn Nae-sang) visits Jung-ho's house to question him. He becomes the primary suspect.
Then, the story starts to unfold with flashbacks to the hours before the murder as he tries to remember his alibi. As he retraces the night to find the truth while being chased by the police, the film peels back the layers of what happened that night.
"I'm very grateful that the director has offered me the lead. I didn't realize the pressure (of leading a film) until after we finished shooting," he expressed about taking his first lead role. "After the first screening of the film, I had some scenes I wished I should've done better….But all of us worked hard on it, so I hope to have a nice turnout for the film."
Lee deliberately performs the toned-down, unassertive character who got too deep in the world of illegal gambling. Revisiting his past memories showing the transition from less-unfortunate life to the present day, the film carefully builds up sympathy for his character.
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| A scene from the film about a man accused of murdering his wife while blacked out from drinking. Courtesy of Kth |
Director Kim Ha-ra said he thought Lee's friendly and familiar image from the show would be an addition to his character. "Jung-ho is not a professional killer or a gangster. He's just one of us who gets pushed off the edge," he said. "The character has to look pathetic, but also, at times, has to look diligent and handsome. And Lee was the perfect casting for such a role."
Based on a webcomic of the same name by Hee Na-ri, "Killed My Wife" is his directorial debut work after 2016's web series "Ready for Start" which was also based on a webcomic.
The director expressed that he has a deep interest in webcomics, especially the ones telling stories of people's ordinary, daily lives.
"As Jung-ho goes on to find the truth, the film zooms in on his life and surroundings. And by doing so, I wanted to portray the harsh reality where having a normal life would be a luxury and dream," he said.
And his ability to bring life to a comic and filling in stories for the cinema was the reason actress Wang Ji-hye chose this film as her comeback to the silver screen, nine years after her appearance in "Le Grand Chef 2: Kimchi Battle."
"I really enjoyed his web series too. Cinematizing a comic is not an easy process, but I felt he does a good job making use of sources from the comic," she said. "So I took the role because of my faith in the director"
Although getting himself to heavy-drinking and gambling was his fault, the director wanted to throw a message in a bigger picture, he noted. "I hope the message doesn't simply become 'Let's not gamble,'" he said, adding that he hopes the audiences will see beyond that to understand the subtext of the film.
"Killed My Wife" was screened at Tokyo International Film Festival for the Asian Future section last month and will hit local theaters on Dec. 11.
