“When I first read the script of ‘The True Beneath’, I honestly wondered whether it could be movie material”, Son recalls. “But more than a year of shooting and countless filming sessions later, I’m quite satisfied with the final results”
Son plays the wife of a politician who dreams of becoming a member of parliament. She is enthusiastic about her husband’s dream, but their daughter goes missing during campaign season. As her husband only focuses on the election and the police do not pay much attention to the case, Son goes alone to track down her daughter.
The movie follows her inner struggle which might confuse viewers at first. Since the film’s release Thursday, some have found the unconventional approach refreshing while others seem unable to digest the storyline.
Rather than an unconventional role like the one in the thriller, moviegoers may think Son is best suited for innocent characters given her appearance and her roles in most of her previous films, but the actress disputes such stereotyping.
“I did not try to avoid innocent characters intentionally”, she said of her 15-year career. “I have a broader perspective than in the past, and now I’m drawn to stories that may not have interested me previously”.
“I had several turning points in my career as an actress”, she continued. “For example, in ‘The Pirates’ I had to perform many action scenes. When I choose a new project, the most important thing is which story I want to tell at that moment. The latest film was also a big challenge for me, and it’ll be another turning point”.
Hong Si-wan, Seoul