Thousands of actresses competed for a chance to be the female lead in Kim Soo Hyun's next film "Real," but only one was chosen.
That actress was Han Ji Eun.
Han Ji Eun's agency, In-New Entertainment told the Korean media outlet Insight that she had been chosen as his leading lady. She was one of 4,200 actresses who auditioned for the role between July and August.
The 25-year-old actress has been described as a rookie but she already has a few impressive film roles to her credit. She appeared in "The Con Artists" with Kim Woo Bin, "Miss Granny" with Shim Eun Kyung, "The Royal Tailor" with Park Shin Hye and Yoo Yeon Suk, and the critically acclaimed film "The Coin Locker."
In the action thriller "Real" Han Ji Eun will play the actress Han Ye Won. If her character is dating Kim Soo Hyun's character, life won't be easy. His character Jang Tae Young is cold and ambitious.
Jang Tae Young is a problem solver for gangsters, who can usually solve most of their own problems with ample doses of violence. His character takes care of the really messy problems that gangsters can't solve. That includes collecting money that people owe gangsters using whatever methods possible. And Jang Tae Young justifies his coldhearted actions as a means to an end. He wants to build a casino and become the most powerful man in his hometown.
Recent reports also say that Lee Sung Min, who appeared in the dramas "Misaeng," "Hwajung," and will appear in the upcoming drama "Memory," will play the writer who interferes with Jang Tae Young's plans.
Former f(x) member Sulli is also considering a role in the film. It was originally rumored that hers would be the leading female role but it has been confirmed that she is up a supporting role. According to her agency, she has not yet decided whether she will be in the film. She had a supporting role in the film "The Pirates," starring Son Ye Jin and Kim Nam Gil and a leading role in the 2014 film "Fashion King" which co-starred Joo Won.
"Real" is being financed by Alibaba Pictures and Kim reportedly invested $7 million of his own money into it. Filming begins in January.
Filmgoers may not have been familiar with Han Ji Eun's name before this casting win, but she will definitely become better known as a result.
