The upcoming psychological thriller "Murder Report" presents a chilling premise where a psychiatrist who is also a serial killer requests an exclusive interview with an ambitious reporter. The film explores the dangerous psychological game that unfolds when journalism meets deadly obsession in a confined hotel room setting.

Jung Sung-il, who gained international recognition for his role in Netflix's hit series "The Glory," takes on the complex character of Young-hun, the psychiatrist-serial killer at the center of the story. The actor revealed that he was immediately captivated by the script's unique premise. "He is both a psychiatrist and a serial killer; everything else about the film is a spoiler," Jung explained during a recent press conference. "I didn't think much about the scenario and just flipped it open for a quick look, but I ended up reading the whole book in one sitting."

The script's compelling nature had such a strong impact on Jung that he felt compelled to secure the role immediately. "I had to grab the casting offer as soon as I finished reading it. I feared someone might take the role," he admitted, highlighting how the unique story instantly drew him in.

Cho Yeo-jeong, the Oscar-winning actress from "Parasite," plays Seon-ju, the reporter who agrees to conduct the perilous interview with Young-hun. Despite being fully aware of his identity as a serial killer, her character chooses to meet him in a hotel room for what becomes a psychological battle of wits. Cho expressed her fascination with the film's unconventional approach to storytelling. "The movie's setting was completely new to me," she said. "I was amazed to see a film can be made of a one-on-one interview, and the two-hour runtime is filled with such a thick air of intensity and suspense."

The actress also acknowledged the challenging nature of the role, admitting that the story's gripping and terrifying elements made her question her ability to deliver the performance. "The story is so gripping. It was genuinely terrifying. I wasn't sure if I could pull it off," Cho added, demonstrating the psychological impact the script had on the cast.

Director and writer Cho Young-joon drew inspiration from an unexpected source when conceptualizing the film. He revealed that the initial idea came from observing a seemingly ordinary scene at a zoo, where he watched a child looking at a tiger through a protective fence. This observation sparked his imagination about what would happen if the safety barrier were removed. "It was an ordinary scene, but removing the fence would create a completely different atmosphere. The fact that the two were in the same space immediately ratcheted up tension," the director explained.

This zoo observation became the foundation for the film's central concept of creating intense psychological tension through proximity and confinement. "I wanted to create a story of immense tension that arises from just two individuals in a single space," Cho Young-joon stated, emphasizing his vision for the claustrophobic thriller.

Recognizing the critical importance of the hotel suite setting to the narrative, the director treated the location as more than just a backdrop. He carefully crafted the space to function almost like a third character in the psychological drama. "I wanted the room to feel like a creature that was choking the characters," he explained, detailing his approach to creating an oppressive atmosphere that would enhance the tension between the reporter and the killer.

The director's artistic vision extends beyond creating mere suspense, as he hopes audiences will experience the film as something both unsettling and compelling. He expressed his desire for viewers to perceive "Murder Report" as a "bad but enticing dream that you want to dream again," suggesting the film's ability to simultaneously disturb and fascinate its audience.

"Murder Report" is scheduled for local release on September 5, promising audiences a unique psychological thriller that explores the dangerous intersection of journalism, criminal psychology, and human curiosity. The film represents a bold experiment in minimalist filmmaking, where the tension between two characters in a single location drives the entire narrative forward.