'Face' Makeup to Art, Production Team's TMI Unleashed!

Director Yeon Sang-ho, who showcased a sharp sense of issues in his early works, is raising expectations for the return of the 'Primordial Yeoniverse' with the film 〈Face〉, which reveals more interesting makeup and production-related TMI.

Set to be released in theaters on September 11, 〈Face〉 tells the story of 'Lim Young-kyu', who has become a master in the field of engraving but is blind, and his son 'Lim Dong-hwan', who unravels the mystery of his mother's death buried for 40 years. As anticipation grows for the character transformations of the 'faces' representing Korean cinema in 〈Face〉—Park Jung-min, Kwon Hae-hyo, Shin Hyun-bin, Lim Sung-jae, and Han Ji-hyun—and the acting synergy they will showcase, interesting TMI revealed by the production team draws attention.

First, makeup director Jo Tae-hee, who participated in makeup for works such as 〈Squid Game〉, 〈The King’s Affection〉, 〈Negotiation〉, and 〈Masquerade〉, as well as Yeon Sang-ho's 〈Hell〉 series and 〈Parasite: The Gray〉, shares the character concepts of the actors, adding interest to the film. The young 'Lim Young-kyu' character played by Park Jung-min is inspired by the image of a pure and down-to-earth youth band from the 1970s who would sing anywhere as long as they had a guitar. Park Jung-min, who perfectly transformed into the visually impaired 'Lim Young-kyu' of the 1970s with unkempt hair, rough skin, and a scruffy beard makeup, raises expectations for his performance.

Kwon Hae-hyo, who plays 'Lim Young-kyu' 40 years later, perfectly embodies the character with a wide, grown white beard and scar makeup that reflects the traces of time, reminiscent of artisans who carve seals. Notably, Kwon Hae-hyo suggested and personally cut his short sports hairstyle, impressing the on-site staff with his passion. Shin Hyun-bin, who plays the character 'Jung Young-hee', whose face is not revealed, adds mystery to her character with a hairstyle that covers her face while highlighting the character's traits with details. Meanwhile, Lim Sung-jae, who plays the character 'Baek Joo-sang', a good factory owner with a dark side, piques curiosity with the production team's character concept of "looking neat but having an unpleasant vibe." Han Ji-hyun, who plays the passionate documentary PD 'Kim Soo-jin' chasing provocative subjects, has a character concept of 'indifference', completed with seemingly careless hair and makeup, and dirt on her shoes.

TMI related to art also stimulates interest with various production and filming episodes. Art director Lee Mok-won, who was responsible for the art in works such as 〈Broker〉, 〈Along with the Gods〉 series, 〈Train to Busan〉, 〈Psychokinesis〉, and 〈The Opposition〉, created a 1970s space based on the cultural comic 「Taeil 3: Peace Market」, which director Yeon Sang-ho thought would be good to reference. The clothing factory 'Cheongpung Apparel', where the mystery's protagonist 'Jung Young-hee' worked, was realistically recreated by watching films and documentaries from that time, including 〈The Women Who Sew〉. In particular, the newlywed home of 'Lim Young-kyu', played by Park Jung-min, and 'Jung Young-hee', played by Shin Hyun-bin, was enhanced in quality by utilizing photos of the hut where the art director's parents lived when they first came to Seoul, along with their memories. Lastly, an episode that occurred while filming the wedding scene of the two characters also catches the eye. During the wedding shoot set in the alley of the Namyangju set, a sudden downpour forced the staff and actors to evacuate, leading to the rumor that 'Lim Young-kyu's wedding day turned into a tiger's wedding weather.'