Kim Byung-chul Tackles Occult Genre in 'The Savior,' Exploring the Price of Miracles

Actor Kim Byung-chul is making his debut in the occult genre with the upcoming film 'The Savior' (director: Park Hoon-jung), which delves into the profound theme of 'miracles and equivalent exchange.'

'The Savior' presents a world where a longed-for miracle for one person comes at the cost of another's misfortune. The film poses the question of whether one can truly rejoice in a miracle when it brings sorrow to others.

In a recent interview with Sports Seoul, Kim Byung-chul shared, "Honestly, occult wasn't a genre I frequently watched." He added, "I prepared for this role by watching films like 'The Exorcist' and 'Hereditary.'" He expressed hope for a positive audience reception, noting, "November is a season that favors thrillers, so I hope audiences respond well."

The movie centers on Yeong-beom (played by Kim Byung-chul) and Seon-hee (played by Song Ji-hyo), who move to the seemingly blessed land of O-bok-ri. Miraculous events unfold, only for them to discover that these blessings are the result of someone else's suffering.

"I discovered the charm of the occult through this film," Kim Byung-chul explained. "Even without explicit intent, I found that the basis for the fear generated had social contexts. I think that's symbolic and meaningful. It has a lingering appeal."

What initially drew Kim Byung-chul to the script was the concept of 'the price of a miracle being another's misfortune.' He stated, "It naturally made me wonder, 'What would I do if I were in that situation?' I believe that's the point that pulls you into the story."

Yeong-beom's situation is particularly complex. He has a wife, Seon-hee, who lost her sight in an accident, and a son, Jong-hoon (played by Jin Yoo-chan), who is paralyzed. While he deeply pities them, the subsequent 'miracle' they receive doesn't bring lasting joy. The realization that someone else's misfortune coincides with their blessing brings him immense anguish.

Kim Byung-chul elaborated on his character's dilemma: "Yeong-beom knows that Seon-hee's choice might lead to misfortune, yet he can't actively stop her because he isn't the direct beneficiary of the miracle. I found that aspect incredibly difficult. It was crucial for Yeong-beom's emotional arc to be convincing to the audience."

Through Yeong-beom, the film persistently asks the audience: "What if your happiness was exchanged for someone else's misfortune?" For Kim Byung-chul, who experienced a long period of obscurity before finding success, this theme resonated deeply.

In real life, Kim Byung-chul built his career not on luck but on consistent effort. Debuting in the 2003 film 'The Great Battle,' he pursued roles in independent films, theater, and auditions, searching for his place.

"There were times when things didn't go well," he recalled. "Of course, I also thought, 'I wish everything would magically work out.' But I never solely relied on miracles. I found it was better to just try something, anything."

Kim Byung-chul gained widespread recognition with the 2016 drama 'Descendants of the Sun.' Subsequent hits like 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God' and 'SKY Castle' cemented his status, marking a 'miraculous' turn after his extended period of anonymity.

"An actor can't simply decide to take on a role; an opportunity arises because of the contributions made in previous works," he stated. "I want to continue doing such projects. Isn't that something that even miracles can't achieve?"

Netizens expressed excitement for Kim Byung-chul's venture into the occult genre, commenting, "I'll watch anything Kim Byung-chul is in!", "The price of miracles sounds like a film that offers a lot to think about, I'm looking forward to it," and "The combination of the occult genre and actor Kim Byung-chul is refreshingly new."