[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] “Just like Ma Dong-seok’s *The Outlaws*, I hope *OK Madam* becomes a series too. Please. I already have an idea for the third installment. I think it’ll be so much fun. Haha.”

Actress Uhm Jung-hwa expressed her special affection for the film and shared her thoughts ahead of the sequel’s release during an interview for “Okay Madam 2” held at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the 4th.
Um Jung-hwa, who has long harbored a passion for the action genre, began by saying of the sequel, “I felt like what I’d been waiting for had finally arrived.” She added, “As an actress, expanding my range of genres and roles is something I’m always looking forward to—it’s an opportunity, isn’t it? But as a woman, and as I’ve gotten older, the chances of being offered action roles have become increasingly rare over time.”
She said, “When we first started ‘Okay Madam,’ I made it clear that I really wanted to do it.” She explained that she had been “training” both her body and mind in preparation for the sequel even before funding was secured. “I practiced with a sense of urgency, determined to transcend my age,” Um Jung-hwa said. “I wanted to freely do whatever I could as an actress.”
She continued, “I trained hard in boxing and watched my diet. I prepared myself so my body would feel lighter,” adding, “Since there were so many more action scenes, filming was incredibly tough but also fun. Even though having more to do put some pressure on me, I think I enjoyed it.”

“Okay Madam 2” is a comedy-action film about the family of Mi-young (played by Uhm Jung-hwa), a former legendary agent, who embarks on a luxury cruise only to get caught up in a cruise ship hijacking in the middle of the blue ocean. While the first installment was set on an airplane, the sequel showcases spectacular action sequences aboard a massive cruise ship.
Released in 2020, “Okay Madam” drew 1.22 million viewers and was a huge hit, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Returning six years later, “Okay Madam 2” reunites Um Jung-hwa, Park Sung-woong, Lee Sang-yoon, and Bae Jung-nam. They are joined by Park Jin-joo, Ryu Woon, and Choi Soo-young, ensuring both entertainment and great chemistry.
“Okay Madam” marks Uhm Jung-hwa’s first series. “This is the first time in my 35-year career that I’ve done a new season,” she said. She continued, “I feel proud as an actress. I want to give myself a pat on the back for having the strength to make a sequel. "Am I patting myself on the back too much?" she said with a bright smile. She added, "I’m putting everything on the line and really hope it turns out well."
When asked what sets the sequel apart, Um Jung-hwa said, “It’s a fun family entertainment film—the kind you can watch while enjoying the refreshing ocean view and munching on popcorn with a relaxed mind.” She added, “I’m so happy to have had the chance to once again step into the role of Mi-young and enjoy that experience.”

The film’s release coincides with the premieres of blockbusters like *Spider-Man 4* and *The Odyssey*. When asked if she had any regrets about the release timing, she quipped, “Why would you say that?” drawing laughter. She continued, “‘Okay Madam 2’ is a film that offers a different kind of fun and is suitable for all ages,” adding, “It’s a Korean film, and I’m in it, aren’t I? The teamwork was fantastic, and since it’s such a fun movie, we’re aiming for box office success,” she joked.
Um Jung-hwa’s action franchise has even earned her the nickname “Um-Jolie.” Um Jung-hwa said, “I’d only ever danced before, so when I first started practicing action scenes, even throwing out a single punch felt awkward and didn’t come naturally. I think it took me a really long time just to get the right stance.” Having gained confidence from the first film, Uhm Jung-hwa has returned with even more upgraded action sequences. She drew laughter by sharing, “I used to practice spinning my gun the moment I woke up, but it’s a shame those scenes didn’t make it into the final cut.”
Another highlight of *Okay Madam 2* is Choi Soo-young’s performance as the villain. When asked about her on-screen chemistry with Choi Soo-young during action scenes, she began by saying, “Isn’t Soo-young too skinny, tall, and slender?” which drew laughter. She continued, “Soo-young also has a sense of rhythm honed through dance, so she picked things up quickly. We synced up perfectly right away. She did the action scenes so well—I was really surprised,” he said.
She continued, “When I asked, ‘Why are you so good at this?’, Soo-young told me she’d really wanted to do action scenes,” and praised her highly, saying, “Soo-young’s villain performance was fantastic. She’s an actress whose eyes really come alive.”
What does *Okay Madam* mean to Uhm Jung-hwa? “It gave me the courage to keep going,” she said with a smile. “Sometimes I tell myself to stay strong, and I find myself thinking, ‘Yeah, this is just the beginning.’”
Uhm Jung-hwa, who had previously sent a "love call" to Tom Cruise at a production briefing, expressed her hopes, saying, “Saying things like this makes me wonder if I might actually get to meet him if he visits Korea.” She added, “Maybe he could make a surprise cameo in the next installment of ‘Okay Madam’… If I say it out loud, it might just come true, right?”
“Okay Madam 2” opens on the 12th.