‘Ma Dong-seok said I was scary’: Seohyun transforms in ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’
Seohyun / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment
Actor Seohyun has taken a bold step away from her “model student” image, revealing a darker, more intense persona in “Holy Night: Demon Hunters.” According to Seohyun, even her co-star Ma Dong-seok told her she looked “scary” — a compliment that marked a turning point in her acting career.
In a recent interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Seohyun spoke about her experience filming the action-horror movie. The film tells the story of a special team called “Holy Night,” made up of Ba-woo (Ma Dong-seok), Sharon (Seohyun), and Kim Gun (Lee David), who possess extraordinary abilities and confront an evil cult that throws the city into chaos.
Seohyun plays Sharon, a demon hunter with mystical powers. “I’m drawn to projects that have something alluring, where I feel confident I can show a new side of myself,” she said. “The script for ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’ was simply entertaining, and the character Sharon was especially captivating. I really wanted to bring her to life.”
Since the film’s release, Seohyun has received praise for her transformation. “Ma Dong-seok believed in me and gave me this role to show a side of myself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Sharon turned out to be a pivotal character, and that gave me a sense of responsibility,” she said. She fondly recalled Ma cheering her on with, “Sharon, you did amazing,” helping her feel more free and confident on set.
To build Sharon’s character, Seohyun imagined a detailed backstory: an only child with an INTJ personality type. “I thought of Sharon as introverted but rational. Since she’s an exorcist, she would need to be strategic and also imaginative,” she said. Known for her composed public image, Seohyun reflected, “I have many different sides within me. Ma Dong-seok said he thought Sharon should be played by someone with contrasts — and he saw that in me. I believe natural acting comes from amplifying the parts of my personality that align with the character.”
Her chemistry with co-star Jung Ji-so also stood out. Seohyun described her as “pure and adorable, yet full of dad jokes.” She added, “She’s quirky, and that made me want to protect her like an older sister.” Despite their close bond off camera, both actors were able to seamlessly switch into intense mode during filming.
Seohyun / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment
Though the movie deals with exorcisms and evil spirits, Seohyun admitted she doesn’t believe in ghosts. “To be honest, I’m not scared of ghosts because I don’t believe in them. They’re already dead, so why be afraid?” she said. “When my (Girls’ Generation) members talk about sleep paralysis, I tell them it’s just your subconscious playing tricks. Your brain is asleep, but your body’s awake — just try moving your hand.”
Girls’ Generation continues to be a steady source of support. “Hyo-yeon came to the afterparty to cheer me on, even though she’s usually shy around strangers,” Seohyun said. “She told me, ‘I didn’t recognize you at first — it didn’t feel like Seohyun.’” Other members who couldn’t attend the premiere promised to watch the film and send her photos afterward.
From her debut in Girls’ Generation to her emergence as a leading actor, Seohyun has carved a fast-paced and ambitious path. Looking ahead, she said, “As an actor, I want to take on any challenge without fear. I hope people remember me as an actor with many colors.” She added that she now finds happiness and satisfaction in her life and plans to continue growing as an actress.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.