Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo have joined forces for a bold noir challenge, teaming up in Project Y to portray a perilous womanhood fueled by desire and betrayal.
The production briefing for Project Y, directed by Lee Hwan, was held on December 16 at Megabox COEX in Seoul, with Han So-hee, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Shin-rok, Jung Young-joo, Lee Jae-kyun, YooA, and the director in attendance.
Project Y follows Mi-seon (Han So-hee) and Do-gyeong (Jeon Jong-seo) as they steal black money and gold bars in a desperate attempt to escape rock-bottom reality. Set against the ruthless world of Hwajung Market, the film delivers a stylish crime noir driven by raw survival instincts.
Director Lee Hwan explained his casting choice, saying the two actresses represent iconic faces of a younger generation and bring persuasive energy to the story. The film promises a fresh take on noir, blending funky visuals with dynamic action and an unprecedented womanhood chemistry.
Han So-hee plays Mi-seon, a character who dreams of an ordinary life but loses everything before being thrust into a life-or-death gamble. Taking on her first commercial film, she shared her cautious excitement and revealed that she contributed directly to character details, from signature color choices to personal props that added realism.
Jeon Jong-seo stars as Do-gyeong, a skilled driver who survives on her instincts. After losing everything she worked for, she races forward with the belief that life is decided in one shot. Dangerous, impulsive, and fiercely driven, Do-gyeong embodies the film's volatile energy.
Both actresses praised their on-set chemistry. Han noted Jeon's deep immersion into her role, while Jeon described Han as a fearless partner who charged ahead without hesitation. One particularly memorable scene involved digging into the ground for the first time in their lives, which both cited as a turning point in the shoot.
Though both actresses are known for intense action roles, Project Y takes a different approach. Han described the action as defensive rather than aggressive—movement driven by survival. Jeon added that the film focuses on instinctive, everyday action within chase-and-escape situations, aiming for raw tension over choreographed spectacle.
The supporting cast, including Kim Shin-rok, Jung Young-joo, Kim Sung-cheol, and Lee Jae-kyun, adds weight to the film's desire-driven universe. YooA also signals a striking transformation, aiming to deliver a "refreshing sense of betrayal" to audiences.
The title Project Y carries layered meanings, including "Young," "Youth," and "You." Director Lee emphasized that there is no single answer, hoping viewers will leave the theater having completed their own version of "Y."
Project Y positions itself as a daring noir experiment, blending survival-driven action with an intense emotional core, and sets out to reignite the shared cinematic experience in theaters.
