Actor Byun Yo-han has appeared in the film "The Journey to Gyeongju" without receiving a fee.
"The Journey to Gyeongju" is a family revenge drama about four mothers who embark on a thrilling trip after an eight-year wait for their youngest daughter, Gyeongju, who never returned from a school trip. Lee Jung-eun, Kong Hyo-jin, Park So-dam, and Lee Yeon star in the film. Byun Yo-han contributed to the quality of the movie through a special appearance.
In this film, Byun Yo-han plays Baek Sang-hyun, a veiled figure who is the target of the four mothers' revenge. Baek Sang-hyun is the person who took the youngest daughter Gyeongju away from Ok-shil's family, and after serving an eight-year sentence, he is kidnapped by the four mothers while fast asleep under anesthesia before he can even enjoy his freedom.
To complete the chilling appearance of Baek Sang-hyun, Byun Yo-han completely erased his usual visuals by sporting unkempt hair, a shaggy beard, rough skin, and personally wearing a mouthguard for discolored teeth, while repeatedly studying his gait and nervous gaze.
This appearance came together out of loyalty, and he is known to have received no fee. Byun Yo-han shared the reason for participating without a fee, stating, "Because the project is produced by the PD of 'Will You Be There?', which was my first commercial film, my heart naturally gravitated toward it, and the scenario was truly great. It was also meaningful to be able to work together with senior and junior actors, including senior Lee Jung-eun, and I wanted to lend even a small amount of strength."
He added, "Since there is no rationality or sense of pity in this character's actions, I was able to throw myself forward boldly and act." He also shared his determination for the character, saying, "I thought that the more painful I was, the greater fear and tension the audience would feel."
Director Kim Mi-jo, who agonized over the casting of Baek Sang-hyun until right before filming, did not spare praise, saying, "The moment I heard actor Byun Yo-han's name, it felt like a lightbulb turned on in my head like fate. He is a professional actor who grasped even the hidden contexts beyond the script that I hadn't thought of and brought them out onto the screen."
"The Journey to Gyeongju," where audiences can meet the passionate performances of the four actresses and Byun Yo-han's groundbreaking transformation, will open in theaters nationwide on August 26.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)