By Lee Minji
In Yeon Sang-ho’s compelling new zombie thriller, “Colony,” acclaimed actress Jun Ji-hyun delivers a powerful performance as Kwon Se-jeong. She portrays a righteous yet blunt biotechnology professor who courageously leads a diverse group of survivors. Their mission: to escape a cordoned-off Seoul high-rise, battling ever-evolving zombies amidst a mysterious viral outbreak.
“Rather than embodying an overtly special character, my focus was to build audience trust in Se-jeong’s choices,” Jun Ji-hyun explained to reporters in a recent interview. “It was crucial for viewers to understand and follow the decisions she makes in such a chaotic, life-or-death situation.”
Known for her powerful action sequences, the talented Korean actress deliberately toned down her signature moves for this role. Her aim was to authentically portray a brainy biotechnology professor.
“During filming, we discussed how it would feel awkward for a biotechnology professor to suddenly exhibit extraordinary action skills,” she recalled.
“I poured everything into the role, but in a more restrained manner that Kwon Se-jeong would realistically manage,” Jun Ji-hyun stated. She also expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with director Yeon Sang-ho again on a future project, perhaps one more dedicated to intense action scenes.
Jun Ji-hyun, who recently graced the Cannes Film Festival alongside director Yeon Sang-ho and the main cast of “Colony” for its acclaimed Midnight Screenings, described the experience as “invigorating.”
“It’s truly hard to express in words. I’ve attended Cannes before, but this time felt like the ‘true’ Cannes. Walking our red carpet was incredibly encouraging for me as an actor,” she shared.
Reflecting on the film’s seven-minute standing ovation, Jun Ji-hyun described it as a “touching” moment, where she felt industry peers were applauding each other’s dedicated efforts in bringing “Colony” to life.
Jun Ji-hyun, who launched her career as a celebrated high-teen star and has consistently remained a top-tier Korean actress, attributes her enduring success to an aspiration for a broader acting perspective.
“Beyond delivering strong performances, I realized the importance of a wide perspective to evolve and not limit myself solely to South Korea, but to engage with a larger global market,” Jun Ji-hyun elaborated. “Pursuing overseas projects when I was younger naturally led to action performances, progressively shaping my career path.”
Having starred as the half-human, half-vampire Saya in the 2009 multinational action film “Blood: The Last Vampire,” Jun Ji-hyun notes the dramatic shift in global reception for Korean culture, including Korean movies, over the past decade.
“I now feel that ‘being Korean is being global.’ As a Korean actor and a Korean national, I believe my best work here will resonate globally,” she asserted. “The cultural landscape has transformed, so my focus is now on what I can achieve in the present.”
This “here and now” philosophy also guides the actress, who debuted as a teenager and is now in her 40s.
“As actresses age, opportunities can become scarcer, and roles may seem more limited. I am committed to finding roles that allow me to authentically convey emotion, believing that is the right artistic journey,” Jun Ji-hyun concluded. “It’s about embracing the present, not dwelling on the past or rushing into the future, but connecting with characters that reflect my current emotions.”
