Jeon Jong-seo, Han So-hee team up for crime thriller ‘Project Y’

Actors Jeon Jong-seo, right, and Han So-hee pose during a press conference for their upcoming film “Project Y” at a theater in Seoul, Tuesday. Newsis

Jeon Jong-seo and Han So-hee will star in the upcoming crime thriller "Project Y" as characters making dangerous decisions with their lives on the line.

The crime noir follows the drama that unfolds after Mi-seon (Han) and Do-gyeong (Jeon) steal money and gold bars out of desperation.

Director Lee Hwan, who previously addressed the social vulnerability of young people through "Park Hwa-Young" (2018) and "Young Adult Matters" (2021), said the title of "Project Y" combines the words "young," "you" and "yearn."

"I chose the title hoping that those who watch the movie will look back and think ‘What was I like when I was young?' or 'What kind of desire did I have in the past?’” the director explained. "I hoped that audiences would leave the theater after watching the movie having completed their own Y.”

Lee said he cast the two actors as the leads because of their unique presence and his anticipation that they would have good chemistry.

"I thought both actors were iconic and symbolized the twenty-something generation," Lee said. "I felt that Mi-seon and Do-gyeong could appeal to the audience. Because the two have consistently cultivated images and acting styles that suit each other well, I thought they could take on a new challenge."

A poster for "Project Y" / Courtesy of Plus M Entertainment

Han, who is making her commercial film debut, said she is looking forward to the audience's reaction to the movie. She debuted in 2017 and rose to fame with her breakout role in the 2020 hit drama "The World of the Married."

"To be honest, every project is precious to me, so there's nothing particularly different," she said. "Since this is my commercial film debut, I'm excited and nervous, and I'm curious about what the audience will think, given that everything is contained in this one film."

Jeon, who rose to international fame with her debut in Lee Chang-dong's 2018 film "Burning," decided to join "Project Y" because of Han.

"When I first read the scenario, I learned that I could act alongside Han So-hee," Jeon said. "Just the fact that So-hee was on set as a friend, colleague and someone doing the same work gave me comfort and strength.”

Han said she had great chemistry with Jeon.

"She's an actor with excellent focus, so she helped me a lot. She became the driving force that allowed us to create scenes more joyfully than just the script," Han said.

This film, which features strong characters, garnered attention at prestigious film festivals before its release. It premiered at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, was shown at the Busan International Film Festival and won the Best Film award at the London East Asia Film Festival.

“Project Y” will hit theaters on Jan. 21, 2026.