Kim Yun-jin Returns as Distraught Mother

Actress Kim Yun-jin's latest battle onscreen is not surviving the aftermath of a plane crash but negotiating the safe return of her kidnapped daughter. The star of ``Lost'' returns to Korean cinema for the first time in two years through ``Seven Days'' as a hotshot lawyer who must pay a dear price for her child's life.

Director Won Shin-yun (``A Bloody Aria,'' 2004) offers an emotionally charged, action-packed thriller where Kim stars as a mysterious attorney whose life takes a frightening turn when a man abducts her daughter. The kidnapper offers a deal: to clear all charges of first-degree murder against a suspect in just seven days or else the child's life is at stake. This is mission impossible, even for someone who has never lost a case.

``I hadn't received such a well-constructed screenplay in a long time,'' Kim said about seeing the script for the first time. ``It was hard for me as an actress in Korea to come across such a complicated female character. For `Seven Days,' with its tightly knit scenario and attractive character, I really did not have trouble making a decision. I also had great confidence in the director, so I wanted to work right away.''

Kim spoke to reporters briefly after viewing the movie for the first time at a Seoul theater, Monday. She apologized in advance for having to leave early to catch her flight back to Hawaii.

``An attorney or a mother, I think it became increasingly difficult as I acted out those roles. I was constantly agonizing over it because there is no `right way' to do it per se,'' she said.

``It was also a situation where I couldn't entirely express my emotions, so the director and I discussed how much emotional range we should portray. We shot scenes from different angles, and I think we managed to capture it pretty well so I am quite satisfied.

``The movie shows situations that people should never have to experience firsthand. One should never have to go through them even indirectly, nor would I ever want to,'' she said about having to act out such dramatic circumstances. ``Sometimes the imagination is much more intense… I think I just went by the script and did as the director told me,'' she said.

Kim looked very chic in a gold-studded black outfit that day, vastly different from her distraught character in the film, though she said she never paid heed to looking pretty onscreen. The star smiled brightly for the camera with the director and her co-star Park Hee-soon on her arms. The venue buzzed with reporters and incessant camera flashes.



When asked about how it was like to work with a ``world star,'' the director explained how Kim deeply impressed him.

``After the first or second day of shooting, Yun-jin wrote me an email, saying `My beloved director,' and listed all her grievances. And I thought, this isn't going to be easy. But her complaints were really signs of affection, and I felt wonderful. I am truly fortunate to have been able to work with Yun-jin,'' he said, explaining how Kim's warmth lightened up the working atmosphere.

``I was very nervous at first… I thought how snobby Kim Yun-jin might be, having gotten some Hollywood air,'' said Park. ``I sent her an SMS, saying how honored I was to work with her, and she replied, expressing her discomfort with the `star treatment.'

``And as we worked together I saw how down-to-earth and humble she was, and how she managed to keep her smile even though her parts were very emotionally draining and could easily make an actor very sensitive… But I maintain what I first said, it was an honor to work with her,'' he said.

``Seven Days'' will open across theaters here Nov. 14.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Source : http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/10/135_12810.html

Be the first to discuss and share your message with other users on This Message Board