Actress Uhm Jung-hwa has returned to her role as Mi-young in the film "Okay Madam 2," marking her first foray into a film series. After resolving a hijacking in the first installment, she now takes the action to a luxurious cruise ship, delivering an even more thrilling comedic action experience. Uhm skillfully balances intense action with genuine human emotion, creating a nonstop sense of satisfaction.
The first film, released in 2020, captured audiences on both television and streaming platforms despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The enthusiastic response naturally led to a desire for a sequel. Uhm, who has been involved in the project since its planning stages, finds this return particularly meaningful.
"I’m both happy and a bit worried that we’re releasing during the August vacation season. However, it’s a time when many people can go to the theaters, so I’m hopeful. 'Okay Madam 2' is the result of our commitment from the first film, where we said, 'Let’s work hard and continue the series.' Since the director, producers, and cast have been involved from the beginning, it has become a precious project that I couldn’t turn down," she said.
Uhm expressed pride and responsibility in continuing a female-led action series, openly sharing her eagerness for a third installment. "Continuing a series as a female action film means a lot to me. I’ve always hoped we could make a great film and continue the series, and I’m really happy that it’s happening. I believe this film needs to do well in theaters this summer for a third part to be possible," she added.
The setting has expanded from the skies to the ocean, featuring a luxurious cruise and underwater battles, showcasing a grand scale that adds to the film's intensity. Uhm described her first experience on a cruise as exhilarating. "It was my first time seeing a cruise up close, and it was thrilling. I felt the immense pressure from below, and I thought the audience would feel that too. Although we couldn’t go outside while filming on the cruise, it felt like our filming location was also our accommodation, which was tiring yet enjoyable every day," she said.
Despite the film's grand scale, Mi-young's return to action is portrayed with a lightness. The sequences that awaken her long-dormant skills add vitality to the story. "In the initial action scene in the basement, Mi-young is still figuring out the situation. I wanted her to instinctively awaken her abilities. After six years of hiding those skills, it was exhilarating for her to rediscover them. I hope that moment resonates with the audience, showing that even when life is exhausting, we can remember what we loved and were good at. I aimed to shoot it in a fun and lively way, and I really enjoyed the practice. If a third film happens, I’m already thinking about what kind of vehicle I could hang off of, like a train roof, but first, the second film needs to succeed!"
Facing Mi-young is the captivating villain Anya, played by Choi Soo-young. The fierce action between the two female characters is a highlight of the film. "I wanted our scenes to be as challenging and intense as possible. I hoped it would be a fierce fight rather than just a female action scene. It was a tough day with hail and rough seas, but it was exhilarating. Soo-young has a great sense of rhythm and physicality, which impressed me. Initially, I was nervous because she’s so tall, but we both worked hard to make it look amazing, even falling into the water. We were both completely exhausted that day, and I later sent her a message saying I wanted to applaud her directly," Uhm shared.
Uhm's ability to handle intense physical action and underwater scenes is attributed to her rigorous self-discipline and training. "I don’t want to think that I might struggle with any role due to my physical condition. I started building my strength with that mindset, and now I really enjoy it. I maintain a routine of boxing, Pilates, and weight training, and I also fit in yoga and surfing when I can," she explained.
Once again, Uhm shares the screen with actor Park Sung-woong, who plays her immature husband, providing a solid comedic foundation for the film. Their chemistry, which sparks with just a glance, contributes significantly to the warmth on set. "When we first met during the first film, I was worried he might be intimidating due to his strong charisma. However, he opened up to me right away, making it easy to act together. This time, our chemistry as a couple felt more natural, and even in scenes where I hit him, he was a reassuring partner. The 'Okay Madam' team feels like family because we see each other so often," she said.
The weight of being the lead in the 'Okay Madam' series is not taken lightly by Uhm. However, she cleverly alleviates that pressure through the ensemble cast. "The title of being the lead brings a lot of tension and responsibility. But when you watch the film, you can see that each actor is well-placed, bringing their own humor and life to their characters, which creates a delightful ensemble experience," she noted.
Uhm Jung-hwa's ongoing journey is paving the way for new opportunities in Korean female action films. She hopes the success of this project will lead to the emergence of diverse narratives. "There shouldn’t be any limitations on female actors doing action. We’re all waiting for more stories like this. It would be wonderful if more of these narratives could be researched and created. For that to happen, we need audiences to come out and enjoy the film, which will help revitalize theaters and lead to more quality productions," she concluded.
At the end of the interview, she highlighted the unique strengths of 'Okay Madam 2' among the various summer films, extending a cheerful invitation to audiences. "There are many options in the summer theater, but I believe 'Okay Madam 2' stands out as a film that the whole family can enjoy together. I hope everyone comes to the cool theater to relieve stress and share genuine laughter while enjoying the thrilling action this summer!"
* This article has been translated by AI.
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