Seoul: Director Lee Sang-geun of "Exit" has reunited with actress Im Yoon-ah for the upcoming comedy "Pretty Crazy," aiming to replicate the box office success of their previous collaboration. At a press conference for the new film on Wednesday, the director said the K-pop idol-turned-actress was his first choice for the role of Sun-ji, an ordinary baker by day who turns into a demon at night.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the director expressed that the chemistry they shared during the filming of "Exit" played a significant role in choosing Im Yoon-ah for the new project. He praised her versatility and wide acting range, making her an ideal fit for the dual role in "Pretty Crazy."
The comedy film centers on Kil-gu, played by Ahn Bo-hyun, a jobless young man who takes on a part-time mission to monitor and protect Sun-ji as she transforms into a strange being, a change she is completely unaware of. For her dual-role, actress Im put significant effort into her visual transformation, convincingly portraying two completely different personas. By day, she wears neat attire with long, straight hair, while at night, she features a wild, disheveled hairstyle and sports outfits in vivid colors.
Im Yoon-ah discussed in detail with the director about the character's physical styling, vocal tones, and facial expressions to bring authenticity to the role. She expressed that this is the most bizarre character she has ever played, highlighting the unique challenge it presented.
The director's debut feature, "Exit," drew more than 9.4 million moviegoers in 2019. For Lee's second feature film, the production team from "Exit" has joined forces again to create another potential mega-hit comedy timed for the summer holiday season. The veteran team includes award-winning art director Chae Kyoung-sun of "Squid Game."
Lee revealed that "Pretty Crazy" was initially intended to be his debut film, but he retooled it from scratch to present it as his second feature. He aimed to focus more deeply on the characters and their everyday lives, describing them as "ordinary, common-sense people who can muster a little courage."
"Pretty Crazy" is set for release on Aug. 13.