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Actress Kim Gyu-ri is set to generate buzz with her new film next week, portraying a character that reportedly evokes a real-life public figure.

On May 29, Kim attended a press conference at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul for the upcoming film Shinmyeong, where she spoke about her role as the female lead, Yoon Ji-hee.

Scheduled for release on June 2, Shinmyeong is billed as Korea’s first occult political thriller. In the film, Yoon Ji-hee undergoes plastic surgery and falsifies her identity and academic background to become the wife of a top political figure. Consumed by ambition to control the nation, her character is depicted as so ruthless that she is willing to use shamanistic rituals to take human lives.

Kim stars alongside Ahn Nae-sang, who plays a producer of an investigative TV program uncovering Yoon Ji-hee’s secrets, and Joo Sung-hwan, who portrays a former prosecutor turned political heavyweight.

When asked what drew her to the role, Kim said, "The script was so compelling. I usually sleep well and don’t dream much, but after reading it, I had a strange and eerie nightmare. I’m not easily scared by horror stories, so if it frightened me this much, I thought audiences would find it gripping too — that’s why I decided to join the project."

She added with a smile, "I guess I’m becoming a First Lady specialist — this is my second time playing one after the 2019 drama Designated Survivor: 60 Days. From the moment I read the script, I knew I had to let go of myself completely. I emptied my mind and immersed myself fully in the role, and it was an exhilarating experience."

Co-star Ahn Nae-sang shared, "When I was first offered the role, I honestly wondered, ‘Can this even be made into a movie?’ The gap between the script and reality seemed huge. But once I heard Kim Gyu-ri had been cast as Yoon Ji-hee, I decided to participate, thinking that even a small voice could make an impact."

Joo Sung-hwan added with a chuckle, "I was tending my fields in the countryside when the offer came in. My eldest son warned me, ‘You could get in serious trouble for doing this,’ but now I’m glad I took the role."

Interestingly, neither the cast, crew, nor press mentioned the name of the real-life figure that reportedly inspired the character — a move widely interpreted as a precaution against potential legal issues.

Regarding the film’s release date — which was moved from May 28 to the day before the presidential election — producer Jung Chun-soo commented briefly, "There was pressure from a certain political party, but we hoped the film’s message would reach audiences before the election."