Seohyun is stepping into bold new territory with her latest film, Holy Night: Demon Hunters, an occult action movie that showcases a striking transformation from her previous image. Playing the role of Sharon, the Girls’ Generation member revealed that she took on the project with the desire to show a completely different side of herself as an actor.
In a recent interview held in Seoul, Seohyun recalled the first time she saw the film on the big screen. “They sent me a screener before the press screening, so I watched it on my phone first,” she said. “The sound and atmosphere didn’t really come through on the small screen, but watching it in a theater, it was overwhelming. I couldn’t believe it was real. I was just so happy in that moment.”
Sharon’s character was one she couldn’t pass up. Though unfamiliar with the occult genre, Seohyun found herself drawn in by the story. “It was scary and unfamiliar in terms of genre, but the script was so engaging. I was just grateful they imagined me in such a role. I felt more pulled in than afraid,” she said.
Seohyun also praised her co-star Jung Ji So, noting their strong chemistry on set: “We’d be like sisters off camera, but right before filming, we’d say, ‘Let’s fight like crazy!’ and dive straight into the scene. Ji-so has such powerful energy that it really gave me a boost as well.”
Playing Sharon required her to chant in foreign and ancient languages. Seohyun prepared by listening to recorded lines on repeat. “There was one scene where missing even one word wasn’t an option, so I had to stay completely focused,” she explained. “Mentally, it wasn’t too hard, since I’m good at switching in and out of character, but it was physically draining. I’d get headaches from screaming and heavy breathing. But once I was immersed in the scene, my body would naturally fall into the rhythm of the role.”
To master the unusual chants, Seohyun requested audio recordings and listened to them every chance she got. “I’d start first thing in the morning and keep listening until I went to bed. But since the recordings weren’t performed with emotion, I had to think a lot about how to bring them to life. Sometimes when I stood in front of the camera, something unexpected would come out—and those moments turned out even better.”
>> Ma Dong Seok and Seohyun Finished Filming ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’
Her physical transformation was another big step. “My face on the screen felt unfamiliar. But the makeup and costumes made the character more convincing, and the reactions from people around me were great,” she said.
One of the most memorable reactions came from fellow Girls’ Generation member Hyoyeon. “She said, ‘You didn’t say it was going to be scary!’ and told me I didn’t seem like myself at all. That actually made me feel really good.”
Holy Night: Demon Hunters also marks Seohyun’s first theatrical release. “I’m just so grateful every single day. I hope many people come out to see it. I really want Korean films to make a strong comeback,” she said. “I’m also looking forward to the stage greetings. Watching Ma Dong Seok interact with audiences on the spot has been really inspiring. He’s so spontaneous and funny. I feel like I still speak in such a standard way, but I want to learn from him and connect with audiences in a more fun, engaging way.”
Holy Night: Demon Hunters opens in theaters on April 30th
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