Actor Cho Yeo-jeong plays cellist Soo-yeon in the thriller "Hidden Face." Courtesy of Studio & NEW, SOLAIRE Partners
Actor Cho Yeo-jeong revealed that the strong chemistry with her co-stars Song Seung-heon and Park Ji-hyun played a key role in bringing to life the thriller film, "Hidden Face." The film revolves around a unique situation of being trapped in a sealed room.
"(Regarding acting while trapped in a sealed room) I didn't need to calculate or plan my actions specifically. It was more about pure reactions (against my co-stars)," Cho told The Korea Times during an interview at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday.
In "Hidden Face," a remake of the 2011 Colombian film of the same name, orchestra conductor Seong-jin (Song) is on a quest to find his missing fiancee, Soo-yeon (Cho), the orchestra's lead cellist. During his search, Seong-jin unexpectedly falls for Mi-joo (Park Ji-hyun), a junior of Soo-yeon's. Unbeknown to him, Soo-yeon is not missing but trapped in a hidden room within their home, helplessly observing the burgeoning romance through a window.
In the movie, Cho once again demonstrates her acclaimed acting skills previously seen in films like "The Servant" (2010) and “Parasite” (2019). She delicately portrays Soo-yeon's transformation from someone who grew up getting everything she wanted to being consumed by fear, forced to observe her fiancé's intimate moments while trapped in a sealed room.
"I had to focus intensely on the two people in front of me because what they were doing in the house and how it made me feel was particularly important to the scene," she said.
The 43-year-old actor said that she tried to fully concentrate on filming these voyeuristic scenes to ensure they felt convincing to the audience.
"Given the unique situation in the film, we had no choice but to focus more on the circumstances and emotions. We all filmed with utmost concentration knowing that if we didn't, the audience wouldn't find it convincing," she said.
Actor Cho Yeo-jeong / Courtesy of Studio & NEW, SOLAIRE Partners
Cho particularly praised Park for her fearless performance, including her willingness to take on unconventional nudity scenes.
"While filming scenes with Park at an airport and a cafe, I felt she was a trustworthy partner. Through our ensemble, I was able to better play my character Soo-yeon," she said.
"I told her that her acting skills are extraordinary. I couldn't act like that at her age. If I were her, I couldn't have portrayed Mi-joo the way she did."
"Hidden Face" marks director Kim Dae-woo's return to the big screen since "Obsessed" (2014). Cho first appeared in Kim's film "The Servant" and later played a couple with Song in "Obsessed."
Regarding reuniting with Song after 10 years, Cho praised his excellent portrayal of an orchestra conductor in the film.
"He expressed the maestro role so well," she said. "I feel comfortable looking into his eyes. Even after not seeing each other for a long time, we could act comfortably together in this film. I think we both feel at ease and reliable with each other."
When asked about potentially working with him again in future projects, Cho added, "If someone writes roles for us, I'd like to meet him in a different role."
She described the director, with whom she is working for the third time, as someone who "explores human nature while leaving footprints in unexpected places."
"I was worried whether I could portray this role dynamically enough for the audience. Since the director entrusted me with the role, it felt like doing homework, but at the same time, I strongly felt that I needed to draw something out of this character," she said.
Cho gained significant attention both domestically and globally through "Parasite," an Oscar-winning black comedy of director Bong Joon-ho. "Hidden Face" is her first main role on the big screen since that hit. For her, "Parasite" serves as both a burden and driving force.
"(The attention from 'Parasite') was just an unexpected good thing that happened in my evolution as an actor. My goal is simply to do my best each day so that I won't feel ashamed or regretful," she said.