[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] “I used to think actors just had to do their best at acting, but these days there’s so much more to do. Hehe.”

Actress Kim Hyun-joo shared her thoughts on her return to the big screen after a 15-year hiatus during an interview for the film *Paradise Lost*, held on the 16th at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.

“Paradise Lost” is a psychological thriller that begins when Ryu So-young (played by Kim Hyun-joo)—a mother who lost her son in a camping school bus disappearance nine years ago—is reunited with her son Ryu Seon-woo (played by Bae Hyun-sung), whom she believed to be dead, as he miraculously returns alive.

This marks her first feature film appearance in 15 years, following *Beyond the Gaze*, which was released in 2011. She previously collaborated with director Yeon Sang-ho on the 2023 Netflix film *Jeong-i*.

Commenting on her long-awaited return to the big screen, Kim Hyun-joo joked, “This time, I found myself wondering, ‘Why hasn’t the film industry called me?’” drawing laughter from the audience.

She also touched on how her promotional activities have changed from the past, noting that her short video shoots with Director Yeon have been generating buzz. Kim Hyun-joo drew laughter when she said, “It does drain my energy. The director was so kind and supportive in front of the camera that I didn’t know how to react.”

She also attended the Toronto International Film Festival for *Paradise Lost*. Kim Hyun-joo said, “It was my first time at an international film festival, and it was a completely new experience. I would have felt overwhelmed if I’d gone alone, but I felt at ease because I was with the director, who has a lot of experience.”

She continued, “I was curious to see how it would be received overseas, and I was worried that people might find it overly emotional, so I was surprised to hear reviews praising its emotional restraint.” She added, “I also sensed a high level of interest in Director Yeon Sang-ho. People were waiting outside the hotel, shouting ‘Yeon Sang-ho!’”

“Paradise Lost” is a low-budget film that wrapped up in just 14 shooting days. Why did Kim Hyun-joo readily choose this project? Kim Hyun-joo cited her first impression of the script. She smiled and said, “Since it had been a while since I’d done a film, I felt some pressure, but I was actually able to work in a comfortable atmosphere. It was a really good system for me.”

She said, “The preparation period wasn’t very long. We started shooting just a few months after discussing the project.” She continued, “Of course, there are some regrets. I think, ‘I feel like I missed this part’ or ‘That was overdone,’ but I think it would have been the same even if we’d had more time,” and explained, “I think being able to express condensed, raw emotions was a good fit for this film.”

Kim Hyun-joo has collaborated with Director Yeon so frequently that she’s often referred to as his “persona.” In a previous interview, Director Yeon praised Kim Hyun-joo, saying, “She was already a top star, but with the recent release of ‘100 Days of Lies,’ it feels like she’s truly showcasing her true worth.”

“The director is just teasing me,” she said. “I don’t like who I was back then, but the director teases me by asking, ‘Is that really the same person?’”

When asked why she didn’t like that version of herself, she drew laughter by saying, “I believe that rice bends its head as it ripens, but back then, I wondered, ‘What made me think I was so great?’ It seemed like I didn’t know what humility was. (Laughs) I guess I wasn’t ripe yet.”

Kim Hyun-joo shared, “The director said that people these days like characters who live for their own self-importance, and that I should return to playing that kind of character.”

She continued, “I don’t really experience those kinds of ups and downs. I’ve always approached my work with the mindset that if it goes well, great, and if not, I’ll do better next time. It’s wonderful when things go well, but I don’t think my life will change drastically because of it.”

She also connected this to *Paradise Lost*. Kim Hyun-joo said, “The word ‘contemplation’ comes up a lot in our movie, and I think I’ve become who I am today through contemplation,” adding, “I think I’ve become who I am now by looking back at my past self and reflecting on what went wrong,” which drew attention.

Kim Hyun-joo added, “Watching the film made me ask myself a lot of questions,” and explained, “Rather than offering specific answers, it was a film that made me think, ‘Why don’t I reflect on what kind of person I am?’”

In this film, Kim Hyun-joo plays a mother who has lost her son. Her character struggles with the conflict between her AI son and her biological son, who has returned after nine years. Did she face any challenges in delivering such deeply emotional performances?

When asked what she focused on, she explained, “As an actress, it’s my job to portray the character Ryu So-young, so understanding the character is a given—but that understanding seems different from justification.” She continued, “I didn’t want to justify her choices, but I tried to act while fully understanding Ryu So-young.”

Regarding maternal love, she said, “I believe it’s absolute, but I actually found myself pondering after filming wrapped whether maternal love can truly be absolute even without spending time together. While acting, I immersed myself completely in the role of Ryu So-young.”

Kim Hyun-joo highlighted two memorable scenes, which are also key points to watch in *Paradise Lost*. She said, “The first is what Ryu So-young must have felt when she reunited with her son, who had returned after nine years. And the final scene.”

Kim Hyun-joo, who has returned to the big screen after a long hiatus, mentioned the fans she’s been meeting at theaters, saying, “They’ve been asking me to do a lot of weird things. There are so many trends these days that it’s tough,” she said with a hearty laugh. Still, she expressed her affection, adding, “They came to see me, so I have to do it for them.” After the interview, Kim Hyun-joo handed reporters a four-leaf clover keychain she had made herself. She then laughed, saying, “Keychains are trendy these days, too.”

“Paradise Lost” opens on the 21st.