Rising Stars from Workhouse Company Make Their Mark at the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival
Two promising new faces from Workhouse Company, Jo Dae-hee and Kwon Ip-sae, are making waves at South Korea’s prestigious 26th Jeonju International Film Festival, which opens today (April 30).
Jo Dae-hee makes his festival debut with the independent film ‘3670’, which was selected for the Korean Competition section. Directed by Park Jun-ho, the film tells the story of Cheol-jun, a young North Korean defector who hides his gay identity. The film explores his emotional journey as he finds courage to connect with the South Korean gay community. Jo plays Hyun-taek, a key character at the community center, and is expected to attend the red carpet and opening ceremony, along with a stage greeting and guest visit (GV) on May 1.
Meanwhile, Kwon Ip-sae stars in the short film ‘Ribs’, written and directed by Lim Ha-yeon. The abstract film portrays a surreal story where a man is born from a woman’s rib, played by Kwon. The film is invited to a special event themed around Intimacy Coordination on May 2, highlighting the growing role of intimacy coordinators in film and theater. Notably, ‘Ribs’ is Korea’s first independent film to feature the participation of an intimacy coordinator. Kwon’s appearance at the festival marks her third consecutive year of presence, signaling her consistent commitment to the indie film space.
Jo Dae-hee expressed his excitement, saying, “Being invited to an event of this magnitude is overwhelming and such an honor. I will give my all to make it a memorable experience for audiences.” Kwon Ip-sae added, “I’m grateful to be part of such a meaningful gathering. I look forward to connecting with the audience and sharing dialogue through this unique opportunity.”
The two newcomers are part of Workhouse Company, a talent management agency known for representing major Korean actors including Ha Jung-woo. Jo made his debut in the Disney+ Original series ‘The Tyrant’ and later played the young Changuk, the younger version of Ha Jung-woo’s character, in the film ‘Lobby’. Kwon Ip-sae, on the other hand, has showcased her acting range across feature films, theatrical dramas, and musicals. She recently appeared as a trainee embalmer in the Disney+ Original series ‘The Light Shop’.
As they step into the international scene with strong indie credentials and growing portfolios, these rising stars from Workhouse Company are certainly ones to keep an eye on.
