Jung Ryeo-won Discovers a 'New Face' in 'The Woman in the White Car': 'Felt Liberation in Letting Go'

Actress Jung Ryeo-won has discovered new acting possibilities through the film 'The Woman in the White Car' (hereafter referred to as 'White Car').

In a recent interview with Sports Seoul, Jung Ryeo-won expressed her satisfaction with 'White Car,' a film completed in the short span of 14 days. 'White Car' is a suspense thriller where Do-kyung (played by Jung Ryeo-won), who brings her blood-soaked sister to the hospital, gets closer to the truth by giving a confusing statement to the police officer Hyun-joo (played by Lee Jung-eun).

This project was particularly special for Jung Ryeo-won as it marked a reunion with director Go Hye-jin, with whom she collaborated on the JTBC drama 'Diary of a Prosecutor' in 2019. Jung Ryeo-won promised full support for director Go, who was preparing her debut film 'White Car,' while also setting the condition that 'the script must be good.'

"It's hard to maintain a relationship based solely on friendship if the script isn't good. But if the script is good, we go all the way. I like director Go Hye-jin's thrillers. They have a unique, dry atmosphere," Jung Ryeo-won explained.

Upon receiving the script, Jung Ryeo-won felt it was 'hers.' She felt that Do-kyung, who runs barefoot through the snow-covered fields in the film, matched her own dry expression and melancholic aura.

Although the 14-day shooting period was tight, Jung Ryeo-won trusted director Go and threw herself into the role. Regarding the director's bold decision to shoot an intense scene as the first take, she recalled, "I wondered if she was serious, but after filming the most difficult scene, I felt the character's framework solidify. I realized why she wanted to start with that scene."

'White Car' uniquely structures its narrative, revealing the truth through the testimonies of various characters involved in a single incident. Jung Ryeo-won aimed to portray a character with no absolute good or evil, acting with duality in response to each different statement.

"I didn't try to add or subtract anything," she said, adding, "Although there was confusion due to slight variations in performance within the same scene, director Go gave me confidence by saying, 'I do know what's good.' Thanks to that, I was able to trust myself a little more."

In her first thriller challenge, Jung Ryeo-won discovered an unfamiliar side of herself. She stated, "It was difficult to create something without an internal reference. If I couldn't persuade the audience when embodying something I didn't have within me, it was a game over. It was 'all or nothing.' I entrusted my career to Do-kyung."

Through this experience, Jung Ryeo-won shared her newfound comfort in acting: "I'm no longer afraid to let go of myself a little. I felt a sense of liberation. Acting is what's important; other things are not. I think it's okay to let go now."

Netizens reacted positively to Jung Ryeo-won's new attempt, commenting "It's a performance only Jung Ryeo-won could pull off," "'White Car' is a thriller but strangely captivating," and "Is this a career-defining role?" Others expressed anticipation, stating, "A new side discovered, I look forward to her future filmography."