Image credit: Star News
Ryujin Begins Her Acting Chapter
Shin Ryujin, member of the global K-pop group ITZY, has officially completed filming her first major acting project, Night on Earth. The production wrapped in October and marks a bold new step in Ryujin’s expanding artistic career.
The film, directed by Jung Soo-hyun and co-written with Kim Yoon-sun, adapts the short story Night on Earth by author Lim Sun-woo, blending coming-of-age tenderness with fantasy elements in a world disrupted by mutant jellyfish.
A Story of Isolation and Connection
Set in a world plunged into chaos, Night on Earth centers on Soo, a withdrawn young man who has confined himself to a bathtub to escape reality. His life changes when he encounters the residents of Manbok Pension, an illegal clinic where outsiders gather to rediscover meaning and humanity.
Director Jung explained, “I wanted to capture, with warmth, the story of a young person who has lost himself amid disconnection and isolation, and the process of finding solidarity with strangers who choose destruction.”
The film’s atmosphere promises to be both lyrical and introspective, reflecting on resilience and the fragile beauty of being human.
Award-Winning Beginnings
The project first gained attention after winning the BH Entertainment Award in the Jeonju Cinema Project: Next Edition competition during the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival. Following its recognition, the team launched full-scale production.
Park So-yeon, director of the hit TVING original The Pyramid Game, also contributed as a creator, enhancing the film’s artistic depth and quality.
A Powerful Ensemble Cast
Night on Earth features an ensemble of talented actors:
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Park Yu-rim (Drive My Car, Ballerina) as Hee-jo, the owner of Manbok Pension, who embodies quiet resilience and emotional depth.
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Shin Ryujin (ITZY) as Kang, Hee-jo’s assistant—boyish yet warmhearted—showing a new dimension of Ryujin’s range and presence.
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Kim Dan (Try: We Become Miracles) as Soo, a sensitive portrayal of a young man lost between life and death.
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Kim Gook-hee (The Black Nuns, Family Plan, Moving) as the Lady, a long-devoted mother who begins to reflect on her own life.
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Kim Si-a (Miss Baek, Kill Boksoon) makes a special appearance as the Girl, a tough but tender runaway who adds emotional nuance to the story.
Next Steps and Global Outlook
With filming completed, Night on Earth has entered post-production and is preparing for submissions to major film festivals both in Korea and internationally. A theatrical release is expected to follow its festival circuit run.
