Dark Comedy 'The Secret of the CSAT' Premieres Amid Exam Season

“It has a taste closer to dark chocolate than milk chocolate. I hope you enjoy it and leave feeling, ‘Ah, that was a bit bitter.’”

With the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) just over a month away, the black comedy film The Secret of the CSAT is set to hit theaters this fall, depicting the chaotic and intense drama surrounding South Korea's classified CSAT preparation.

On October 19, a press screening and conference for The Secret of the CSAT took place at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul. The event featured director Lee Yong-jae and actors Lee Sun-bin, Yoo Jae-myung, Kim Young-min, and Jeon Seok-ho, who shared various insights about the film.

The Secret of the CSAT follows a Korean language teacher from a small provincial town, Maeng Bo-ram (played by Lee Sun-bin), who inadvertently joins the CSAT preparation headquarters, which is sealed for 40 days, as she struggles to create a “problem without problems” free of errors and disputes. This film marks the directorial debut of Lee Yong-jae, known for his work on The Strange Math Teacher and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, and has generated early anticipation.

Director Lee explained, “Since the CSAT is a matter of national interest, I thought there would be points of resonance with the audience. The confined setting allows for a practical reason for a new director to save time and budget.”

Continuing the theme of education from his previous work, Lee noted, “I’m not particularly interested in education issues, but discussing schools and education reveals the relationships between teachers and students, adults and youth. Like in my previous film, I wanted to address the concept of a ‘good adult’ in this CSAT story. Social issues subtly emerge, and I approached them through comedy to make it easier for the audience to digest.”

Earlier this year, The Secret of the CSAT was officially invited to the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), where it received positive feedback from audiences, further establishing it as a highly anticipated film for the fall.

Reflecting on the festival experience, Lee said, “The audience’s laughter gave me courage, but the theatrical release feels like a different story. To quote a line from the film, if the past was a warm-up, now is the main game. I feel a mix of excitement and anxiety, hoping for a good outcome.”

Lee also discussed the unique process of adapting the secretive role of CSAT examiners into a film. He combined real-life research with cinematic imagination to maximize the film's entertainment value.

“I gathered stories from books written by examiners and people I know. For the sake of cinematic fun, I condensed and exaggerated certain elements,” he explained. “Rather than focusing on meticulous accuracy, I considered what the public hopes for regarding the CSAT, specifically the desire for good questions. I wanted to show how intensely others prepare.”

Lee Sun-bin, portraying the earnest teacher Maeng Bo-ram, underwent a significant transformation for her role. To embody the character's purity and realism, she set aside her usual glamorous appearance.

“I’ve never played such a pure character before, so I struggled at first, feeling anxious about how to convince the audience,” she admitted. “When I first saw the monitor, I was shocked. I wanted to portray Maeng Bo-ram as someone so ordinary that you wouldn’t recognize her if she passed by. I used darker makeup and tied my hair back without trying to look pretty, fully committing to the character.”

Describing her character, Lee said, “Maeng Bo-ram is passionate and doesn’t want to be a burden to others. When she meets the CSAT examiners, she is the most sincere about the students.” She added that she constantly thought about how to make even the awkward moments endearing to the audience.

Yoo Jae-myung, who plays the self-serving head examiner Moon Joo-yeol, recalled his initial reaction to the script, revealing that he almost declined the role due to the character's flaws.

“However, as soon as I read the script, I became curious about the ‘secret of the CSAT’ and felt it showcased an interesting aspect of our society, which led me to decide to take on the role,” he said.

Yoo, who typically plays serious and authoritative roles, expressed his love for comedy. “What’s appealing about comedy is its unpredictable humor and the comfort it brings to the audience, as well as its ability to provide an objective view of society,” he said. “If audiences can smile at adults fighting for their own interests, then I consider it a success.”

Kim Young-min, who plays the review committee chair Park Kyung-tae, noted that the camaraderie among the cast during their intensive filming created a lively atmosphere. “We laughed every day during our stay, and the characters are all vibrant, which will result in a great ensemble,” he added.

Jeon Seok-ho, portraying the evaluation agency staff member Kijun, shared that the cast lived together at the Muju Taekwondo Center to fully embody the 40-day retreat setting. “I think my perspective on the higher-ups reflects how the audience views them, and I tried to express that freely,” he said. “I’m not sure what defines a ‘good adult,’ but I believe we’ve shown the honest side of adults.”

Lee Sun-bin remarked on the advantages of their shared living situation, saying, “We didn’t waste time on unnecessary travel. Even when we were tired, meeting the seniors lifted our spirits. Our chemistry was as comedic as the film itself.”

As the CSAT approaches, the cast and director shared warm messages of encouragement for students nationwide.

Lee Sun-bin said, “I know every student is working hard, shedding blood, sweat, and tears. I fervently hope you endure a little longer and achieve your dreams without being too anxious.” Yoo Jae-myung added, “I hope you don’t catch a cold and can showcase your full potential.” Kim Young-min wished, “I hope everyone performs better than expected.” Jeon Seok-ho expressed, “No words can truly comfort you, but I hope you achieve your goals in your own way.” Director Lee Yong-jae encouraged, “Even if difficult questions arise, I hope you remain calm and tackle them.”

Meanwhile, The Secret of the CSAT is set to be released in theaters nationwide on October 28.