[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] Actress Lee Yeon, star of “Gyeongju Journey,” plays the third of four sisters and sets out to avenge her younger sister.

Set to open on the 26th, “Gyeongju Trip” is a family revenge drama about four mothers and daughters who, after an eight-year wait, embark on a “deadly” journey for the sake of their youngest daughter, “Gyeongju,” who never returned from a school field trip. Lee Yeon plays “Dong-ju,” the third daughter and a former professional wrestler.
“Dong-ju” is a character who has spent her entire life fighting tooth and nail to be loved amidst the eldest daughter—the pillar of the family—the sharp-witted second daughter, and the cute youngest daughter.
A hot-headed, action-oriented character who acts on impulse rather than reason—and a ticking time bomb who constantly causes trouble—she takes charge of the physical aspects of the family’s revenge plan with her boundless energy, even after retiring from professional wrestling due to an injury. Lee Yeon, playing “Dong-ju,” who dives headfirst into situations without a second thought, infuses the drama with vitality and brings depth to the complex relationships between the sisters.

To physically embody the unique and lively charm of “Dong-ju,” Lee Yeon even personally deliberated over her hairstyle. She went to Japan to get a bold shag cut that suited the character, and she also put in extraordinary effort by undergoing high-intensity action training at the Paju Action School to master professional wrestling techniques.
Director Kim Mi-jo, who had been keeping an eye on Lee Yeon since the film *Ivy*, expressed her deep trust, saying, “She showed such perfect synchronization that it’s hard to imagine ‘Dong-ju’ as anyone other than Lee Yeon.” She also expressed her gratitude, adding, “Even though the numerous action scenes were physically grueling, she tackled them enthusiastically without a single complaint.”
Regarding her character “Dong-ju,” Lee Yeon highlighted her tender inner world, describing her as “the roughest and most outspoken member of the family, but in reality, a young daughter who throws herself into the fray to ease her mother’s pent-up emotions.” Expectations are high that Lee Yeon’s passionate performance—which will vividly portray everything from “Dong-ju’s” rough exterior to her tender inner self—will further elevate the film’s quality.
“Gyeongju Journey” is the first commercial film by director Kim Mi-jo, whose directing skills were recognized with her debut film “The Seagull.” Notably, the film received critical acclaim at the 24th Florence Korean Film Festival held last March and was honored with the Audience Award.