[Edaily Starin YUN GI BACK Reporter] Singer WOODZ (Jo Seung-yeon) is set to expand his career onto the big screen in earnest with the film “Nambeol.” Having made his screen debut in “Slight Strum Mute,” which was released this past February, WOODZ plans to embark on a full-fledged acting career with “Nambeol.”

According to production company HYBE Media Corp. on the 23rd, the film “Nambeol” is a hard-boiled martial arts action movie depicting the story of nine warriors who set out for Tsushima Island to rescue prisoners kidnapped by Japanese pirates during the early Joseon Dynasty. Having previously garnered attention with the casting of Lee Byung-hun, Ko Yoon-jung, and Lee Do-hyun, the film is finalizing its cast lineup with the confirmation of WOODZ’s participation.
The character “Cheotnom,” played by Woozi, is an archer with unerring accuracy. He embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue his family, whom he left behind in his hometown, and is a character driven by a strong sense of responsibility and conviction to protect both his comrades and his family. He is set to play a pivotal role in driving the film’s emotional arc amid the fierce battlefield.
This project is also significant for Woozi as it marks a new challenge for him as an actor, Jo Seung-yeon. Having established a unique musical world as a singer-songwriter and performer, he is making his full-fledged screen acting debut through *Nambeol*. Attention is focused on how the intense presence he has shown on stage will translate to the big screen.
The film is directed by Lee Mo-gae, a former cinematographer. It is generating high anticipation as Lee’s directorial debut, following his impressive visual style in films such as *Seoul Spring*, *Exhumation*, *Hunt*, *The Opposition*, and *Declaration of Emergency*.
Production is handled by Hive Media Corp., the studio behind *Seoul Spring*, *Harbin*, *The Man Standing Next*, *The Inside Men*, and *Deliver Us from Evil*. Attention is also focused on the synergy that will emerge from the collaboration between the production company—which has consistently delivered major hits—Director Lee Mo-gae, and the cast featuring Lee Byung-hun, Ko Yoon-jung, Lee Do-hyun, and Woozi.
“Nambeol” is currently in pre-production, with the goal of beginning principal photography in the second half of this year.