Jeon Jong Seo met with Sports Chosun on January 9 in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, where she discussed her upcoming crime film Project Y, directed by Lee Hwan. In the film, Jeon Jong Seo plays Do Kyung, a woman who makes a dangerous choice alongside her friend Mi Sun, portrayed by Han So Hee, as the two find themselves pushed to the edge of their lives.
Reflecting on her decision to join the project, Jeon Jong Seo explained that she received the script during a difficult period for the Korean film industry.
“It was a time when it felt like people had stopped coming to theaters and Korean cinema was at a standstill,” she said. “I thought that if Han So Hee and I did this project together, it could become something that sparks excitement again.” She added that while public judgment would ultimately decide the film’s fate, the cast was prepared to accept both praise and criticism sincerely.
Jeon Jong Seo also revealed that she and Han So Hee received the script around the same time and attended meetings with the director and production team on the same day. Although the screenplay was still in development at the time, Jeon Jong Seo said she was drawn to its potential. “I felt like I could add something more to the role than what was written and help enrich the story, especially in terms of its twists,” she explained.
For Han So Hee, Project Y marks her first leading role in a feature-length commercial film. Jeon Jong Seo noted that her co-star was eager to challenge herself with a character she had never played before, sharing a mutual desire to surprise audiences through their performances.
The interview also touched on a topic that recently sparked buzz among fans. Although Jeon Jong Seo and Han So Hee were long believed to be same-age friends born in 1994, it was later revealed that Han So Hee is actually a year older, having been born in 1993. Reacting with surprise, Jeon Jong Seo laughed and said, “I didn’t know Han So Hee was older than me. I only found out today.”
Jeon Jong Seo opened up about the unexpected start of her relationship with Han So Hee. According to her, everything began not on a film set or through mutual acquaintances, but with a surprisingly casual Instagram direct message.
Speaking about Project Y, Jeon described Han So Hee as someone who suddenly entered her life without warning. She admitted that she never expected their initial connection to grow into both a deep friendship and a professional partnership. Despite Han So Hee’s glamorous public image, Jeon said she found her to be relaxed, sincere, and highly professional.
Jeon explained that filming Project Y was physically demanding, but enduring those challenges side by side created a natural sense of solidarity. Having someone who silently understood the pressure and exhaustion of acting became a quiet but powerful source of comfort. That shared experience, she said, strengthened their connection even more.
Interestingly, it was Han So Hee who made the first move. Jeon recalled receiving a short, friendly message that simply said hello. Although she often received DMs from fellow actresses, Han So Hee was the first person she felt compelled to reply to. The conversation flowed easily, and before long, the two met in person—privately, away from public attention.
Jeon noted that friendships within the entertainment industry can feel different from those outside it. Actors often have to explain their schedules, emotional demands, and public scrutiny to friends in other professions. With Han So Hee, however, none of that was necessary. As fellow actresses, they shared an unspoken understanding that made their bond feel effortless and genuine.
Jeon Jong Seo candidly admitted that Han So Hee’s involvement played a crucial role in her own decision to take on the film. “If Han So Hee hadn’t done this project, I’m not sure I would have chosen it,” she said. “This feels like a project we met by fate, at the right time and at this age. Opportunities to work with someone your age like this don’t come easily, which makes it even more meaningful.”
Project Y follows two women who dream of a different future in the middle of a glamorous city, only to steal black money and gold bars in a desperate gamble at the edge of their lives. The film stars Han So Hee, Jeon Jong Seo, Kim Shin Rok, Jung Young Joo, Lee Jae Kyun, and Kim Sung Cheol, with director Lee Hwan known for Park Hwa Young and Young Adult Matters at the helm.
Project Y is scheduled to hit theaters on January 21.
Sources: Nate, Koreaboo
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