Actress Chun Woo-hee shares feelings on her Netflix debut with original thriller 'Unlocked'

▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows Chun Woo-hee. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows Chun Woo-hee from a scene in 'Unlocked.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows Chun Woo-hee. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Feb. 22 (Yonhap) -- “I was able to relate better to the character that I play than any other works I have acted out as Lee Na-mi was an ordinary office worker,” Chun Woo-hee shared her thoughts on her role in Netflix’s original thriller “Unlocked,” which was just released last Friday.

Chun, who made herself known by appearing in a slew of hit television series and films including “Melo Is My Nature,” “Han Gong-ju,” and “Mother,” said, “Right before Director Kim Tae-joon cast me, he showed me his collection and information about me, almost as if he was fanboying me. He set Na-mi’s birthday as same as mine, and he even had Kim Ye-won, whom I am close with personally, play my friend in the film,” adding, “He poured the best out of himself so that I can be able to relate to the character and be immersed. Thanks to him, I was able to act more relaxed.”

The smartphone that Na-mi drops from the bus she was drunk on falls into the hands of serial killer Woo Joon-yeong (Im Si-wan). The creepy loner then collects Na-mi’s personal information one by one by unlocking her phone and approaches her with rather frightening intentions.

However, Na-mi does go against Joon-yeong. After figuring out that he was the one who was behind everything that happened to her, Na-mi gears up to chase after the criminal herself. Despite the detectives dissuading her to go up against the criminal and face him, she eventually lures Joon-yeong to her home.

Chun said, “I found Na-mi’s personality quite attractive,” explaining, “I liked the way how she solved the problem one step at a time. Although she is just an ordinary human being, she does take the initiative to get back her life. I was particularly able to relate to her when she confronted the detectives and asked if they could protect her for the rest of her life. I believe what matters is the ability to protect myself.”

She also laid out details on how she joined the work, saying, “I thought I will find the fun of acting by playing Na-mi. I especially liked the fact that I was able to do some daily acting at the beginning of the film and also dramatic emotional changes in the second half. I wished to be a guide who leads the story.”

The grappling thriller film touched down in second place on Netflix worldwide only two days after its release and has been securing its place for three days. The fear-stimulating plot that could happen to anyone at any time has been keeping viewers on the edge of their seats, receiving some rave reviews not only at home but also abroad.

Cheon smiled and said, “It is a relief,” adding that the relatable plot that many can readily sympathize with may be the main catalyst to the film’s success even though the film is based on several Korean cultures and backgrounds.

“Anyone who uses a smartphone shares the experience of either losing it or almost losing it at least once, which is obviously nerve-wracking. Even though they are just machines, we tend to identify them as ourselves. I changed all of my passwords after shooting this film.”

“Unlocked” also marks her debut film on an online video streaming service. She said that she was able to witness the power of online streaming services through the surge in her social media account followers, adding that she does feel definitely different from hitting the big screens.

“I did think that the details of our scenes were clearly more visible on the big screen. However, I think it is a great charm that many people from all over the world could watch the film comfortably in their own space. I know that we cannot have both. For now, I am just grateful and amazed that so many viewers are watching our film and giving out immediate responses.”


(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)

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