Actress Moon Chae-won is taking on her first-ever horror role, stepping away from her long-standing image as a "rom-com queen" to challenge herself with a chilling new transformation in the film Gwisi (directed by Hong Won-ki), set to hit theaters this fall.

First Steps into Horror

On September 9, a press screening and conference for Gwisi was held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Moon Chae-won, director Hong Won-ki, Yoo Jae-myung, Seo Young-hee, and Won Hyun-jun attended.

The film is a supernatural thriller that unfolds in a ghost-trading market that appears when a window opens at night. It depicts the eerie desires of people who try to obtain what they cannot have.

Moon confessed that horror was unfamiliar territory for her. "I'm actually scared of horror films, so I don't usually watch them. But this felt like a new experience. I was curious, and I thought it could bring freshness to audiences," she said.

Playing a Character Consumed by Desire

In Gwisi, Moon plays Chaewon, a beautiful woman who is never satisfied with what she has and covets what belongs to others. The role required her to dive into darker emotions.

"Since I work in a profession where appearance is constantly judged, it wasn't hard to understand her perspective. But I tried to portray someone much more consumed by desire," Moon explained.

The film also highlights symbolic moments, such as a scene where her character stares into a mirror, dissatisfied with her own reflection. When asked if she could relate to this, Moon laughed, saying, "It's not that I felt the same way. But everyone has insecurities that only they know, even if others don't see them."

Looking Ahead

Moon expressed gratitude for the opportunity: "Watching the completed film, I felt glad I accepted the challenge. I hope more daring works like this continue to emerge in Korean cinema. If Gwisi can earn affection from horror fans, it would be truly rewarding."

Gwisi is scheduled for release in theaters on September 17.