[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] “My child is in elementary school, so they’ll be racing toward the goal of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) for about 10 years now, but it seems too difficult. I hope children can grow up playing actively, making memories, and engaging in artistic activities.”

Actor Yoo Jae-myung is set to meet audiences with the black comedy film *CSAT: The Secret of the Exam* (*Sucheolbi*), which centers on the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). While he plays an adult who refuses to acknowledge his mistakes in the film, in real life, he is a father to a elementary school student. During an interview for *Sucheolbi* held on the 21st at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Yoo Jae-myung shared his interpretation of the CSAT theme and the preparation process for the film.

Yoo Jae-myung confided, “It seems like every family is racing toward the finish line that is the CSAT,” adding, “Amid a flood of information, don’t we all worry about how to raise our children well? It’s really difficult, and I don’t think there’s a right answer.”

When asked what kind of father he is, he drew laughter by saying, “We have a cat at home, and I think I’m about a ‘cat-level’ dad.” He added, “I don’t have much influence. Rather than being someone who exerts a strong influence on my child, I just want to grow old together with him.”

“Export Fee” is a mission comedy about Maeng Bo-ram, a Korean language teacher from a small provincial town who accidentally joins the exam-setting headquarters—which is sealed off for 40 days to prepare for the “College Scholastic Ability Test” (CSAT), a Level 2 state secret in South Korea—and goes through all sorts of mishaps trying to create “flawless questions” free of typos and controversy.

Explaining his reason for joining the cast, he said of “Export Fee,” “Not only is the premise fresh, but I felt the film, framed as a black comedy, captures a cross-section of our society very well. When people come together, even in a small organization, a hierarchy emerges, and processes of conflict, persuasion, and compromise naturally follow. I thought the film did a great job of satirically portraying those dynamics.”

Yoo Jae-myung plays the role of Moon Ju-yeol, the chairman of the exam committee. Moon Ju-yeol is the absolute authority within the exam headquarters, controlling every situation with the authority and power befitting a veteran of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).

The character he portrays possesses intelligence and social status but is also an adult who “never apologizes.” He explained, “I was worried that the character might become too one-dimensional, but I thought that if I portrayed him in a likable way to depict one form of adulthood, viewers might find him entertaining rather than simply disliking him.”

Yoo Jae-myung said, “It seems there’s a lot of talk these days about the lack of communication and intergenerational conflict throughout society.” He continued, “I tried to portray someone who, even though they could speak honestly and say ‘I’m sorry,’ chooses not to. I worked on objectifying that aspect,” describing the process of building the character.

When asked what he focused on, he replied, “Don’t people say that if the college entrance exam goes wrong, society falls into great chaos? It’s an important system, but viewed paradoxically, that means it’s not as fair as it should be.” That said, he doesn’t want audiences to take the film’s critical message too seriously. Yoo Jae-myung believes the power of comedy lies in the questions that linger after the laughter.

He added, “I hope you’ll laugh your heart out and, as you leave the theater, take a moment to ask yourselves, ‘What is the CSAT, anyway?’” He continued, “In that sense, I think we chose the format of a black comedy and a farce.”

“Export Fee” features an all-star cast of talented actors, including Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Sun-bin, Kim Young-min, Jeon Seok-ho, Kim Kyung-min, Lee Jin-hee, Hwang Bo-ra, Jung Soo-young, Lee Jung-ok, and Ryu Kyung-hwan. Yoo Jae-myung praised their chemistry, saying, “I knew they were talented and sharp actors, but it was great to see each of them bring their own fresh touch to the film, and Lee Sun-bin really carried the film well.”

He expressed particular affection for Lee Seon-bin, saying, “She’s a solid, energetic actress who’s assertive and sharp, but in reality, she’s incredibly pure-hearted and quite timid.” He continued, “It was always noisy when the cast got together. I also remember going to a karaoke bar with Seon-bin and singing.”

Yoo Jae-myung mentioned Kim Young-min, with whom he displayed bromance chemistry, saying, “He’s actually three years older than me.” Referring to Kim Young-min’s youthful appearance, he quipped, “My older brother is the abnormal one, and I’m the normal one,” drawing laughter. He also revealed that the line “Is that Leslie Cheung or what?” in the drama was ad-libbed.

Yoo Jae-myung smiled and said, “The college entrance exam is a once-in-a-lifetime, crucial moment for our children, and I’d be so happy if this movie could offer them comfort and enjoyment.” He added, “I hope the movie holds up well (even after the exam) so that we can see a beautiful scene where students say, ‘Let’s go see *The College Entrance Exam*’ as soon as they finish their exams.”

He offered words of encouragement to students preparing for the exam, saying, “You may find it difficult due to the pressure, sense of responsibility, and anxiety, but I hope you’ll look up at the sky, spend time with friends, cherish every moment, and do your best on the exam.”

He also expressed his respect and gratitude toward the CSAT question writers. Yoo Jae-myung added with a touch of humor, “There are some satirical elements in the film, so I do feel a bit uneasy,” but noted, “It’s a movie—it’s fiction. They’re probably setting the exam questions right now, but I trust they’ll create questions that are fair and free of controversy.”

“Export Fee” opens on the 28th.