Park Yu-rim to play emotionless killer in Tristes Tropiques

Actress Park Yu-rim will portray Jojo, a loyal member of a killer organization, in director Park Hoon-jung's new film Tristes Tropiques. Scheduled for release on November 25, the film follows members who vow revenge after the death of their Master.

Actress Park Yu-rim will play Jojo, a member of a killer organization, in director Park Hoon-jung's new film 'Tristes Tropiques'. The story follows members of the "Tristes Tropiques" killer organization who grew up like siblings under a leader, only to fall into mutual suspicion and vow bloody revenge following the death of their Master. Following her notable sign language performance in 'Drive My Car', the drama 'Miraculous Brothers', the film 'Ballerina', and the stage play 'The Cherry Orchard', Park will showcase Japanese dialogue and firearm action in this work. 'Tristes Tropiques' is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 25.

Jojo follows the absolute leader of the organization

Jojo, played by Park Yu-rim, is a character who joined the killer organization of her own volition during her childhood. While the members live like siblings, Jojo differs from the others by blindly following the Master, the absolute leader of the organization. Kim Myung-min takes on the role of the Master. In a story where suspicion and revenge unfold within the organization after the Master's death, Jojo is set as a character who maintains loyalty to the Master.

Jojo rarely reveals her emotions. Regarding the character's personality, Park stated, "Unlike the other characters, Jojo's charm of thoroughly hiding her emotions easily will be another viewing point of the film." In the movie, Park portrays a cold-blooded killer, contrasting with her usual calm and mysterious image. The character's primary traits include her tendency to hide emotions and her devotion to the Master within the killer organization.

The film 'Tristes Tropiques' stars Kim Myung-min, Park Hae-soo, and Lee Shin-young. The plot centers on the members' mutual suspicion and vows of revenge following the Master's death, with Jojo appearing as a character who follows the leader. Park Yu-rim has prepared for this new role by mastering Japanese dialogue and firearm action. The film is set to open on November 25.

Preparation for Japanese dialogue and firearm action

Jojo is a character who speaks Japanese. To match the linguistic requirements of the role, Park practiced repeatedly with a Japanese language instructor prior to filming. It is reported that she did not stop at merely learning the lines but prepared by practicing repeatedly with the instructor leading up to the shoot.

For the firearm action, she underwent training to become accustomed to the weight of heavy guns and loud gunshots. She practiced correcting her posture in front of a mirror and learned the movements of handling firearms. In essence, she prepared both language and action separately for her killer role. Park expressed her feelings, saying, "I felt great joy as an actress to challenge something new and to be able to act with various emotions."

This role is introduced as a radical transformation for Park Yu-rim since her debut. Moving away from her previously calm and mysterious image, she plays the emotionless killer Jojo. She prepared for the Japanese dialogue and firearm movements before filming, including the process of getting used to the weight and sound of the guns. Park noted the opportunity to act with diverse emotions in this new challenge.

Director Park Hoon-jung's view of Park Yu-rim

It is reported that director Park Hoon-jung cast Park Yu-rim after discovering qualities in her that suited Jojo. In this work, Park plays Jojo, who blindly follows the Master and hides her emotions. Along with the explanation that the director found aspects of the character in Park's usual demeanor, the film also captures her performing Japanese dialogue and firearm action.

Cinematographer Kim Young-ho highly praised Park's acting. He stated, "Her anxiety, honesty, and wonderful gaze were Jojo herself. Within her sad and vacant gaze, she held an anxiety that seemed ready to explode at any moment. It was the best casting." The cinematographer evaluated the casting by mentioning Park's gaze and Jojo's anxious nature.

Park described Jojo as a person who does not easily reveal emotions and hides them thoroughly. The character's background includes her childhood decision to join the organization and her setting of following the Master, unlike the other members. Director Park Hoon-jung chose her after finding matching qualities in her usual self, while cinematographer Kim Young-ho evaluated the casting by citing her gaze and acting.

Activities since 'Drive My Car'

Born in 1993, Park Yu-rim gained international attention for her role as the actress Lee Yoo-na, who uses sign language, in the Japanese film 'Drive My Car'. That work won the International Feature Film award at the Academy Awards, and Park also stood on the awards stage. In 'Tristes Tropiques', she plays Jojo, who uses Japanese. Following her portrayal of a character using sign language in 'Drive My Car', she now takes on Japanese dialogue and killer action.

Since then, she has expanded her range through appearances in the drama 'Miraculous Brothers', the film 'Ballerina', and the stage play 'The Cherry Orchard'. She has also appeared in 'Ballerina' and was cast in the major film 'Nambeol'. In March 2022, Park signed an exclusive contract with BH Entertainment, the agency representing Lee Byung-hun and others. 'Tristes Tropiques' is one of the works performed by Park, who has moved between film, drama, and stage plays.

Park Yu-rim became known for playing Lee Yoo-na, who uses sign language in 'Drive My Car', and stood on the stage at the Academy Awards when the film won the International Feature Film award. After appearing in various genres, she takes on the role of Jojo in 'Tristes Tropiques', preparing Japanese dialogue and firearm action. The film is directed by Park Hoon-jung, stars Kim Myung-min, Park Hae-soo, and Lee Shin-young, and is scheduled to open in theaters on November 25.

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