▲ Actors Park Sung-woong, Park Jin-joo, Ryeoun, Uhm Jung-hwa, director Lee Cheol-ha, and actors Bae Jung-nam, Choi Soo-young and Lee Sang-yoon (from L to R) pose for a group photo at a press conference for the upcoming Korean film "Okay! Madam 2" in Seoul on July 13, 2026. (Yonhap)
▲ This image, provided by CJ CGV, shows the poster for the Korean film "Okay! Madam 2." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Korean film-press conference

Singer-actress Choi Soo-young says wanted to portray unlikely villain in 'Okay! Madam 2'

By Lee Minji

SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- Singer-actress Choi Soo-young said Monday she wanted to play a character that is not predictable or cliched in the upcoming comedy action film "Okay! Madam 2," noting the scarcity of female villains in Korean cinema.

Choi was cast as Anya in the sequel to "Okay! Madam" (2020), starring Uhm Jung-hwa and Park Sung-woong as a seemingly ordinary family embarking on their first international trip, only to encounter terrorists aboard their flight. It also features the original members Lee Sang-yoon and Bae Jung-nam.

The sequel takes place aboard a cruise ship, with new members joining the original cast: Choi playing Anya, a criminal ring leader; Ryeoun, a cruise ship magician; and Choi Jin-joo as Sun-a, the chief of a cruise ship tour company.

"While there seem to be quite many female villain roles, there are not," Choi said at a press conference. "I was thrilled when I was offered the part, and I wanted to make her into a character that is not cliche.

"I wanted to create a female villain that possesses both charisma and humor," she added, saying she suggested ideas to the director to make Anya a playful and witty character, thanking him for reflecting her opinion.

Director Lee Cheol-ha said Choi was on the top of his list for potential candidates, noting how she and Uhm display a special chemistry as actors who also have a common background as singers.

Uhm, who again takes on the lead role as former secret agent Mi-young, said she came to like filming action scenes even more through the sequel.

"I was excited there were more action scenes in the sequel," Uhm said. "All the actors came together as one for every action scene. ... I felt a deep sense of fulfillment. It made me fall in love with action scenes even more."

Having made a splash at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the cast said they were happy to have reunited for a sequel, even hinting at hopes of filming another one.

"I was so happy to hear that everyone in the first film was coming back and cautiously started wondering whether the third series should take place aboard a submarine or a spaceship to make the sequel bigger, since this one is set on a cruise ship," Park jokingly said.

Bae chipped in.

"It was my first time doing a sequel, and I loved it. Everything felt so comfortable this time around," he said. "Maybe the third film could take place abroad. I think it would be great to film it overseas. What about setting it on a train -- maybe the Eurostar?"

The movie is set for release Aug. 12.

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