Director Lee Jung-hyo describes the creation of Netflix's upcoming crime thriller "The Price of Confession" as an unprecedented challenge, comparing it to producing 12 independent thrillers rather than a traditional series. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Lee emphasized how each episode carries its own distinct tension and emotional depth, creating what he believes will be an unrelenting suspense experience for viewers.
"It was like producing 12 independent thrillers. I spent a lot of time figuring out how to sustain the tension throughout all 12 episodes," Lee explained during the promotional event. The director, known for his work on the 2019 romance hit "Crash Landing on You" and the 2023 Netflix original series "Doona!" revealed his strategic approach to maintaining viewer engagement throughout the series.
Lee's focus on psychological suspense drives the show's narrative structure, keeping audiences guessing about the true identity of the killer and whether additional perpetrators exist beyond the obvious suspects. "I focused on keeping viewers wondering, like who the actual killer is, or whether there is someone else besides these people," he said. The production team invested heavily in visual storytelling, particularly through art design elements that maximize the suspenseful atmosphere.
The series pays meticulous attention to visual details, with the confession room serving as a central design element intended to build intrigue from the opening scenes. "As you will see, we paid a lot of attention to the visual elements early on, such as the confession room, to build intrigue and spark viewers' curiosity," Lee noted. This marks the director's first venture into the thriller genre, a transition he approaches with both excitement and confidence about the final product.
"While this is my first time working in this genre, I think it came out pretty well. I hope viewers enjoy all the twists," Lee expressed, highlighting his enthusiasm for exploring new creative territory. The crime thriller centers on a complex narrative involving Yun-su, portrayed by Jeon Do-yeon, an art teacher facing accusations of brutally murdering her husband, and her encounter with the enigmatic Mo Eun, played by Kim Go-eun.
The plot thickens when Mo Eun, a mysterious woman Yun-su meets in prison, proposes an unusual arrangement: she will confess to Yun-su's crime in exchange for Yun-su committing a murder on her behalf. This twisted deal forms the backbone of the series' moral and psychological complexity, exploring themes of justice, desperation, and moral compromise.
The reunion of acclaimed actresses Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun has generated significant anticipation among audiences, marking their second collaboration since their work together in the 2015 film "Memories of the Sword." Jeon, who won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in Lee Chang-dong's "Secret Sunshine" in 2007, describes her character as multifaceted and psychologically complex.
"While she outwardly looks bright and free, expressing herself through fashion, she is also an orphan with a deep desire to fill an emptiness," Jeon explained about her character Yun-su. She emphasized the importance of portraying the character's hidden psychological depths, noting that "there is an underlying darkness to her, and I focused on portraying the character's hidden sides." The actress also revealed discussions with Kim Go-eun about authentically depicting the unlikely bond that develops between their characters.
Kim Go-eun, known for her roles in the occult mystery "Exhuma" and Netflix's "You and Everything Else," approached her character Mo Eun with a focus on maintaining psychological ambiguity. "I wanted Mo Eun to be unreadable, someone whose thoughts remain mysterious," Kim shared. Despite this enigmatic quality, she sought to incorporate subtle hints of vulnerability into her performance.
"But at the same time I also wanted glimpses of her fragility to come through. Though she doesn't show much emotion, I tried to convey that even in her blank expressions, there is something there," Kim explained, describing her nuanced approach to the role. Her interpretation balances the character's mysterious nature with moments of emotional depth that viewers can glimpse beneath the surface.
The supporting cast features notable performances from Park Hae-soo, recognized for his roles in "Squid Game" and "Karma," who portrays prosecutor Baek Dong-hun, a character harboring his own secret agenda. Jin Sun-kyu rounds out the stellar ensemble as lawyer Jang Jeong-gu, adding another layer of complexity to the legal and moral framework surrounding the central crime.
"The Price of Confession" is scheduled to premiere on Friday, promising viewers an intricate exploration of guilt, manipulation, and the lengths people will go to escape their circumstances. The series represents Netflix's continued investment in Korean thriller content and showcases the platform's commitment to complex, character-driven narratives that challenge audiences' expectations.
