Actor Joo Hyun-young Embraces Thrills with ‘Ghost Train’ Debut in Horror Genre

Joo Hyun-young Makes Her Horror Debut with Ghost Train

As the rising star Joo Hyun-young steps onto the big screen, she emerges as a promising new face in the horror genre. In the soon-to-be-released film, Ghost Train*, Joo plays Da-kyung, a horror YouTuber ready to unravel the mysterious disappearances at Gwanglim Station. The film is directed by Tak Se-woong and features performances by Jeon Bae-soo and Choi Bo-min.

From Comedy to Chills

Though Joo is well-known for her comedic roles, particularly in SNL Korea, she discusses her transition into horror: ‘Growing up, my parents discouraged me from consuming scary content, believing it to be harmful to my mental health. Yet, horror fascinated me to such an extent that my love for it grew despite their objections.’

Joo relished the opportunity to draw from her vibrant imagination and creativity, which horror inspired since she was a child. She noted, ‘The chance to work on a horror film was too thrilling to pass up. It has been enriching.’

Filming Inspiration and Real-life Experience

Joo’s portrayal of a horror YouTuber stems from her extensive viewership of real horror channels. While her performance in SNL Korea showcased a memorable MZ generation character, she highlights this film role served as an opportunity to explore a different aspect of her range as an actress.

‘The horror YouTubers I watch aren’t from the MZ generation, yet they unite fans with shared thrills. I drew inspiration from their methodologies and sought insights on this whole process,’ she explains.

A New Chapter

While fans fell in love with her comedic portrayals, Joo relishes the fresh image she presents in Ghost Train. ‘I’m thrilled to showcase different sides of myself. This project feels like the perfect opportunity to redefine my artistic identity,’ she shares.

Ghost Train is poised to hit theaters on July 9, and Joo hopes viewers appreciate her transformation into horror queen status.