Yum Jung-ah on 'Mission: Cross': 'I Can Keep Doing Action Films for a Few More Years'

▲ This image of Korean actress Yum Jung-ah is provided by Netlfix on Aug. 12, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- After showcasing underwater action scenes in last summer's hit film Smugglers, actress Yum Jung-ah (52) returns this summer with Netflix’s Mission: Cross. In this film, she once again dives into the action genre, portraying a passionate detective who engages in hand-to-hand combat with a taser and participates in shootouts.

"I think I'll keep doing action roles as long as I can. By that measure, I think I have a few more years left in me," Yum said during an interview on the 12th at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.

Released on Netflix on the 9th, Mission: Cross is directed by Lee Myung-hoon and tells the story of Detective Mi-seon (played by Yum Jung-ah) from the violent crimes unit and her husband Kang-moo (played by Hwang Jung-min), a former special forces operative who is now a stay-at-home dad. The plot thickens when Kang-moo, who has kept his past a secret from his wife, encounters his former colleague Hee-joo (played by Jeon Hye-jin) and becomes involved in a covert operation crucial to national security. Mi-seon, suspicious of her husband's possible infidelity, starts to investigate, leading to the film's intense developments.

Although Yum has often described herself as having little natural athletic ability, she now seems more confident in her action scenes. "After having gone underwater for Smugglers, I felt there was nothing I couldn’t do," she remarked. "I believe that with the right mindset, you can overcome anything."

In the film, her character Mi-seon is also a former Asian Games silver medalist in shooting. Yum underwent firearm training at an action school for the role, rekindling memories of her work in the mystery thriller H (2002), where she also handled a lot of gunplay.

Mission: Cross is not only packed with intense action but also highlights the dynamic banter between Mi-seon and Kang-moo as a middle-aged couple. Despite this being their first time working together, Yum and Hwang display great chemistry on screen. Yum praised Hwang for his professionalism, noting, "He always arrived early on set to check the environment, which was really impressive."

▲ This still image of Korean film "Cross," starring actors Hwang Jung-min (L) and Yum Jung-ah is provided by Netflix on Aug. 5, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

As for Hwang's strengths as an actor, she admired his approach to action scenes: "He never tries to look cool. I expected him to emphasize the coolness in certain scenes, but instead, he performed with a relaxed attitude, which made him look even cooler."

When asked why the two actors work so well together, Yum suggested, "Maybe it's because our 'styles' (the way we appear on screen) are somewhat similar. There's just that kind of vibe."

Mission: Cross also explores the theme of a middle-aged couple overcoming misunderstandings and crises to rebuild their relationship. Yum reflected, "In marriage, there are aspects where you align and others where you don't, but living together is about finding that balance. I think that's something everyone can relate to." Married since 2006, she humorously added, "We thought we'd be perfectly compatible, but there are quite a few things we’re still working on."

Yum described Mission: Cross as "a movie you can comfortably watch at home, even with kids. It’s fun, has action and comedy, and is a harmless film."

▲ This still image of Korean film "Cross," starring actors Hwang Jung-min (L) and Yum Jung-ah is provided by Netflix on Aug. 5, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Initially planned for theatrical release, the film eventually shifted to Netflix, marking Yum's first project with the streaming giant. She expressed her excitement, saying, "The anticipation and thrill of a global simultaneous release were huge."

Now in her 34th year in the industry, Yum is as busy as ever, appearing in Disney+'s new series No Way Out: The Roulette among other projects. "I really enjoy working with my juniors and colleagues on set," she said, adding with a smile, "I hope to keep doing this for a long time."

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