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Yoona, a member of Girls’ Generation and a successful actress, is taking on her first solo leading role in a major commercial film with The Devil Has Moved In, opening August 13. She plays Seon-ji, an angelic pastry chef who becomes possessed by a devil each night, delivering over-the-top facial expressions and bold slapstick comedy under the direction of Lee Sang-geun, who previously worked with her on the 2019 hit Exit.

In an interview in Seoul on August 7, Yoona said she chose the role based on the character’s energy rather than screen time. “This was the first time I’ve played someone with such an overflow of energy. I focused entirely on helping the audience follow her emotions, and my co-star Ahn Bo-hyun’s support was crucial,” she said.

Portraying Seon-ji required a near “three-in-one” performance, as she also played the spirit that takes over her body. “At first, I worried about how far to take the comic, almost cartoon-like expressions in front of so many crew members. But once the cameras rolled, I felt an unexpected sense of freedom and joy,” she recalled.

Known for her natural comedic timing despite her glamorous idol image, Yoona acknowledged the popularity of her comedy-infused roles but stressed her desire for variety: “I’m always searching for characters completely different from those I’ve done before.”

On a potential full-group comeback for Girls’ Generation, she was cautious. “Around early August, we always gather for Tiffany’s birthday and our debut anniversary. This year, for our 18th anniversary, we casually discussed how to mark our 20th in two years, but nothing concrete. People often wonder who will marry first—honestly, we’re all at an age where we think about it, and when we meet, we talk about marriage like any other women our age,” she said with a laugh.