In the movie “Hellbound 2”, along with Kim Sung Cheol - who replaced Yoo Ah In's Jung Jin Soo (in part 1), Moon Geun Young's appearance as Oh Ji Won - a fanatical kindergarten teacher - who always appears with impressive makeup and a fierce, attention-grabbing appearance.
According to Hankook Ilbo, many viewers appreciated the actress for boldly breaking away from her long-standing innocent image.
On screen, Moon Geun Young vividly portrayed the transformation of an ordinary person after being drawn into a cult. Viewers confessed that they only recognized her as the once-famous “national little sister” after hearing her voice.
So despite her short screen time, the 37-year-old star still left a deep impression. Many people believe that Oh Ji Won’s role this time marks a new era for “crazy female characters” in Korean dramas.
Previously, director Bong Joon Ho also praised Moon Geun Young's transformation when attending the film's premiere event.
The “Parasite” director compared the actress’s performance to “watching John Travolta unexpectedly do the twist in “Pulp Fiction” (1994). For him, it was “one of those unforgettable moments when an actor does something unexpected.”
Moon Geun Young was chosen by director Yeon Sang Ho for the project after watching her 2021 short film “Abyss,” about a woman who becomes an alcoholic while taking care of her alcoholic husband.
However, the Korean director admitted that he was initially a bit worried because Moon Geun Young had never played a rebellious role before, and “wouldn’t know what to do” if she wasn’t suitable for the project. However, on set, the actress surprised Yeon Sang Ho with her dedication to the role.
“I have always dreamed of taking on new characters, but I don’t often get the chance, so I have always longed to be an actress. I am very happy to have this opportunity and had a lot of fun filming,” the actress said.
In addition, in response to fans' concerns about her current health, she spoke up to reassure: "I realize that many people are worried about my health, and I am very grateful for that. I have fully recovered and am very healthy now. Although I have gained a little weight, I am currently on a diet. So instead of worrying about my health, please cheer me on to successfully complete my diet."
Moon Geun Young was born in 1987, known as the "national sister" of Korean cinema thanks to her youthful beauty and innocent acting in films such as: "Autumn in My Heart", "A Tale of Two Sisters", "Cinderella's Sister", "The Painter of the Wind", "Alice in Cheongdam-dong", "Goddess of Fire"...
In 2017, she was diagnosed with dangerous compartment syndrome (a syndrome that causes increased pressure leading to ischemia and organ failure) and had to undergo four lengthy surgeries. To recover, she had to cancel many film and drama projects.
