Released on 5/12, "The price of confession" quickly drew nearly 2,2 million viewers on Netflix, ranking second among the platform's top 10 non-English series. TIME magazine lauded it as a "perfectly paced crime drama", while the South China Morning Post praised it as a "captivating work from start to finish".
The series centers on Yoon Su (Jeon Do Yeon), an art teacher accused of murdering her husband, and Mo Eun (Kim Go Eun), a mysterious figure dubbed "the witch". Her husband's death plunges Yoon Su's once tranquil life into a vortex of guilt, doubt, and dangerous pacts. The narrative delves into crime, criminal psychology, and the stark contrast between the two women's natures, establishing a pervasive tension.
Trailer "The price of confession". Actress Jeon Do Yeon appears from second 0:04, and actress Kim Go Eun appears from second 0:13. Video: Netflix
Jeon Do Yeon delivers a tormented Yoon Su, an ordinary, gentle woman pushed to the brink, confronting loss and societal condemnation. The actress deeply researched the character's complex psychology, spanning confusion, despair, and emotional outbursts. Her transformative power, conveyed through her eyes and expressions, allows her to depict a character simultaneously vulnerable and resilient.
Kim Go Eun conveys Mo Eun's enigmatic nature and complex inner world through her cold demeanor. In every dialogue scene, she masterfully highlights the stark opposition and tense conflicts between the two characters.
According to Newsen reporter Park Ji Hye, the actresses' contrasting performance styles establish a unique rhythm for the series, prompting viewers to consistently question each character's true nature.
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Jeon Do Yeon (left) and Kim Go Eun behind the scenes. Photo: Netflix
Director Lee Jung Hyo, in an interview with Newsen, revealed this project marked his first foray into the horror genre. "I couldn't pass on the script after reading its synopsis," he said. During script development, the team deliberately blurred the lines between good and evil, ensuring all supporting characters remained potential suspects.
The director highly praised the lead actresses' on-set chemistry. They adeptly navigated and emotionally interacted within challenging settings, such as prison scenes and those depicting deep psychological states. MTN news outlet described their performances as an "energetic match", where "every gaze, expression, and even a wrinkle proved compelling".
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Poster for "The price of confession". Photo: Netflix
Jeon Do Yeon, 52, born and raised in Seoul, studied television broadcasting at the Seoul Institute of the Arts. She debuted as a model in 1990, transitioning to acting two years later. Known for her versatility, she has starred in many successful films, including "The Contact" (1997), "The Harmonium in My Memory" (1999), "Secret Sunshine" (2007), "The Housemaid" (2010), and "Beasts Clawing at Straws" (2020). She earned the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2005 and was selected as one of nine jury members for the festival in 2014.
Kim Go Eun, 34, studied acting at the Korea National University of Arts. Her 2012 debut film, "A Muse", garnered numerous accolades, including awards from the Buil Film Awards, Grand Bell Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards, KOFRA Film Awards, Busan International Film Festival, and New York Asian Film Festival. Four years later, she starred in the popular drama "Goblin" alongside Gong Yoo and Lee Dong Wook. Her recent return to the big screen with the blockbuster "Exhuma" has captivated audiences worldwide.
Mai Anh
