[Dispatch=Lee Ajin Reporter] "I don't think there's a need to be bound by the past, nor to fear the future to come."

Actress Jeon Jiyeon was clear and resolute. She made her screen return after a full 8 years in the role of Kwon Sejeong in 'Collective.' The burden could have been great, but her response was calm. She simply encountered a good project, and as always, she concentrated on her acting.

She harbored no fear about the passage of time. She saw aging not as a limitation, but as a process of filling in another layer of depth. The secret behind maintaining her position at the top for roughly 30 years was reflected in every word she spoke.

"Of course, I won't be given as many opportunities as before. But that doesn't mean everything I can do now completely disappears, does it? I think it's truly important as an actress to fully express the deep emotions that can only be conveyed at this age, right now."

As Jeon Jiyeon remains unshaken by her surroundings and focuses solely on acting, Kwon Sejeong likewise disregards the world's gaze. When two autonomous characters meet, the character comes to life with greater dimensionality.

Dispatch met Jeon Jiyeon on the 26th at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. We heard her story as she once again proved herself through the film 'Collective.'

◆ "I was a fan of Yeon Sang-ho"

'Collective' is a zombie film. It depicts a story that unfolds when an unidentified mass infection breaks out in a super-high-rise building. Bioengineer Kwon Sejeong (played by Jeon Jiyeon) struggles for survival alongside other survivors.

Jeon Jiyeon chose the project because of director Yeon Sang-ho. She said, "I'm such a fan that I've seen all of Director Yeon's works," and revealed, "When I received the project proposal, I agreed to do it without even opening the script."

She first committed to appearing without hesitation, then opened the script. The screenplay proved as interesting as she had hoped. Everything from the original setting to the message the work carried appealed to her.

"The settings different from existing zombie films were fun. The idea that instead of uncontrollable zombies, they evolve through networking was intriguing. I also appreciated Director Yeon's cautionary message about modern society, where people delegate their thoughts to AI."

She also expressed great satisfaction with her collaboration with Director Yeon. Jeon Jiyeon said, "It was the best working environment," and noted, "Director Yeon has such a clear worldview that all I had to do was follow it. It was naturally a comfortable set for an actress."

"From the first day of filming, I was satisfied with choosing 'Collective.' Zombies jumped out in the very first scene. I felt the urgency of the film even while acting on set. I was confident that audiences would be absorbed from the beginning."

◆ "Driven by justice"

Kwon Sejeong is a character who cannot tolerate injustice. Armed with innate sense of justice and knowledge as a bioengineer, she leads the survivors. When Jeon Jiyeon first met this character, she initially found it difficult to grasp her personality.

She said, "I wondered if she was overly righteous," and explained, "But as I continued reading the screenplay, I realized that Kwon Sejeong's righteous nature was the driving force that propels the story through extreme circumstances."

She focused on this tendency during her acting. She emphasized the aspect of trying to save as many people as possible with her knowledge rather than trembling in fear. She toned down emotional expression and action, emphasizing a dry feel.

"I hoped Kwon Sejeong wouldn't look too special. Even in an extreme situation where everyone reveals their human nature, I wanted her to appear unwavering and centered."

As the film progresses to its latter half, Kwon Sejeong's steadfastness intensifies. She uses her keen intellect to outmaneuver the evolved zombies. She escapes the building safely and pursues Seo Young-chul (played by Ku Kyo-hwan), the mastermind behind the infection, to the very end.

Jeon Jiyeon cited the car chase scene in the latter half as the most memorable moment. She recalled, "I only acted out driving next to the stuntman," and said, "But rushing through zombies precariously toward justice felt so exhilarating."

◆ Glory at Cannes

Jeon Jiyeon attended the Cannes Film Festival on the 16th through 'Collective.' She had previously been invited to the international film 'Tales and the Secret Fan' and as a luxury brand ambassador. This was her first time walking the red carpet as the lead of a Korean production.

"The Cannes I had attended before wasn't really Cannes. This was essentially my first time properly walking the Cannes red carpet. A time was given where it was purely for us, where we could fully enjoy and savor it. Naturally, the tension eased, and I struck fun poses with Kyo-hwan Ku, and things like that."

The intense atmosphere of Cannes became new momentum as an actress. Director Yeon playfully advised, "You shouldn't become too accustomed to Cannes." Nevertheless, the energy of the place where people who love cinema gathered was so enchanting that she wanted to experience it again.

Jeon Jiyeon said, "Before going, I thought it was an honor just to attend, but once I got there, it was wonderful," and confessed, "My ambitions as an actress grew endlessly. Next time, I'd like to experience the honor of winning an award in the competition section."

The heat from Cannes extended to domestic premiere venues. Jeon Jiyeon engaged actively with audiences with her characteristic wit. Moments of her reading fan placards have been trending online daily.

"I was surprised at when premiere culture changed like this. I really enjoyed being able to communicate with audiences this way. Especially reading fan placards was quite fun. One regret is that there weren't many placards for me. I'm confident I could read them better than anyone...(laughs)"

◆ An actress's sense of responsibility

Jeon Jiyeon brings sincerity not only to her work, but to premiere events as well. The trust audiences and the industry place in her runs deep. She remains a unique actress in Korean cinema who can lead mega-budget productions. Behind that lies fierce contemplation and effort.

"I think acting well is naturally the foundation. Within that, I've ceaselessly challenged myself with overseas offers and rough action genres to create my own differentiated edge. Those challenges accumulated into a broad spectrum, and they've naturally become the competitiveness to handle zombie films like 'Collective.'"

For Jeon Jiyeon, film is a realm of responsibility. It is content where audiences invest precious time and money. She said, "Rather than appearing in projects I want to do, I try to appear in projects that audiences want to see. I see that as the responsibility I can show to audiences who visit theaters as an actress."

That sense of responsibility led to thorough self-management. Jeon Jiyeon constantly strives to show the image audiences expect of her. She shared, "I exercise every day," and said, "I can't stop aging, but at least I try to slow its pace."

Yet there was a greater secret than exercise: challenge. She concluded by sharing an anecdote from which she gained insight. She sent words of encouragement to all who hesitate to take on new challenges.

"An acquaintance in their 60s told me something. An elderly person in their 80s told them, 'If I were only 60, I'd be running around.' I was really surprised then. If you start something now, there's definitely something you can complete by your 60s. So never think it's too late and hesitate. You just have to try."

<Photo sources: Showbox, Kim Shin-ae Photographer>