[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] “While box office success is important, I hope this film will remain an unforgettable work for everyone. But since it hasn’t been released yet, I guess I can let my imagination run wild. Haha.”

Actress Gong Hyo-jin made these remarks while expressing her deep affection for the film during a pre-release interview held on the 19th at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. I couldn’t help but hope that her earnest wish would come true.
Gong Hyo-jin initially turned down *Journey to Gyeongju* once due to scheduling conflicts but eventually decided to star in it. It was the power of the story that won her over. “The script was exceptionally well-written, and the lingering impression it left really struck a chord with me. It was so special that I kept thinking about it for days after reading it,” she said.
She continued, “I felt it would be a good movie, and the moment I met the director, I was convinced.” She added confidently, “And Senior Lee Jung-eun had already decided to join, hadn’t she? I thought that simply being part of this project would ensure it would be a good film. I was also curious about the story between the sisters.”
Throughout the interview, Gong Hyo-jin’s eyes radiated a passion that matched her affection for the film. Although the film received rave reviews from the press and critics following pre-release screenings, Gong Hyo-jin remarked, “Box office success is in God’s hands,” while adding, “I believe in the power of the actors and the story.”
She joked, “I try not to get my hopes up, but as the numbers keep rising, I’d like to experience that heart-pounding thrill myself. We’ve even talked among ourselves about wanting to go to the Cannes Film Festival.”

Director Kim Mi-jo’s first commercial film, *Gyeongju Trip*, is a family revenge drama about four women—a mother and her three daughters—who, after eight years of waiting, embark on a “killer” trip for their youngest daughter, “Gyeongju,” who never returned from a school field trip. Gong Hyo-jin plays Jang-ju, the eldest daughter for whom family has always been the top priority.
Regarding the role of Jang-ju, she explained, “I think she was a daughter who was scared her mom might be disappointed and scared her mom might lose her temper, so she was always watching her mom’s reactions.” She added, “She’s a character who supports whatever her mom wants to do unconditionally, feels more sorry for her mom than anyone else, and—because she’s a daughter herself—empathizes with her mom’s feelings. She was a daughter who understood her mom’s pain.”
When asked what kind of daughter she is in real life, she drew laughter by saying, “My mom is a ‘K-eldest daughter’ who’s good at everything. I’m the daughter who asks her, ‘What should I do?’ or ‘How do I do this?’” She also drew attention by adding, “Things changed after I got married. I’ve become more expressive, and instead of just saying, ‘Mom, do this for me,’ I’ve started taking care of my parents. I can see that my mom is getting older now.”
Gong Hyo-jin will be teaming up with Lee Jung-eun, who plays her mother Ok-sil, for the second time as mother and daughter, following the drama *When the Camellia Blooms*. She referred to Lee Jung-eun as “Mom” throughout the interview.
“She’s someone everyone would like, and she’s always consistently warm,” she said. “Even though I call her ‘Mom,’ she really feels like a comfortable older sister.” She added, “Perhaps because we have a similar acting style, Mom and I are almost always on the same page.”
Gong Hyo-jin remarked, “Since we’ve worked together before, I understand how she carries herself on set and can anticipate how she’ll approach and interpret her role.” She continued, “It seems the difficulties—like hesitating to speak up to my co-star—have disappeared. When you meet someone you click with, it creates synergy.”

The MBC drama *Married Woman Killer*, starring Gong Hyo-jin, is a hit, with viewership ratings exceeding 10%. She remarked, “The ratings aren’t turning out the way I imagined. I didn’t expect *Married Woman Killer* to be this successful, so I’m still a bit dazed.”
Jung Joon-won, her co-star, also visited the premiere of *A Trip to Gyeongju* holding a bouquet of flowers. Gong Hyo-jin shared a behind-the-scenes story, saying, “He told me he loved it so much. (Even though he’s introverted), I found myself wondering, ‘How is he managing to come out here like this?’” She also added about Jung Joon-won, “He’s an actor with real charisma and excellent acting skills.”
Following *The Married Woman Killer*, will *Gyeongju Trip* also ride the wave of box office success? Gong Hyo-jin said, “There are so many great films out there, but *Gyeongju Trip* seems to be sparking curiosity.” She continued, “I heard the director’s father mentioned 70 million. That’s the kind of news that makes international headlines,” she said, adding with a smile, “It’s a great film, so I hope lots of people will go see it. Please support us!”
Even before its release, “Gyeongju Trip” has been generating buzz after being invited to prestigious film festivals such as the Hawaii International Film Festival and the Florence Korean Film Festival. In particular, “Gyeongju Trip” received critical acclaim at the 24th Florence Korean Film Festival held last March and had the honor of winning the Audience Award. It opens on the 26th.