The movie <Opposition> is on the verge of surpassing 3 million viewers. <Opposition> is trending with its weapon of 'freshness within familiarity'. The crime action movie, which seemed worn out from being repeated hundreds of times, is breathing new life into theaters thanks to its smooth direction.
If we were to pick the elements responsible for the 'freshness within familiarity' of <Opposition>, we cannot leave out the excellent performances of the actors and the individuality of the characters. Not only Kang Ha-neul, who instantly convinced the audience of the 'Opposition' in <Opposition>, but also Yoo Hae-jin as the prosecutor, Park Hae-jun as the detective, and Ryu Kyung-soo as the arrogant second-generation politician. However, when it comes to freshness in <Opposition>, the presence of Chae Won-bin, who played the role of Eom Soo-jin, cannot be overlooked.
Chae Won-bin won the role of Eom Soo-jin in <Opposition> by overcoming a competition of 100 to 1. According to director Hwang Byung-guk of <Opposition>, the reason he chose Chae Won-bin was because she showed 'the most different acting' among 100 people. As he said, Chae Won-bin's characters are fresh. There is something intriguing about them.
Eom Soo-jin in <Opposition> was a famous actress known by everyone, but she fell from grace in an instant after getting involved with drugs. In her first scene, Eom Soo-jin confesses to Detective Oh Sang-jae (Park Hae-jun) about her drug use and bursts into tears. She trembles in fear like a young lamb who didn't know her momentary choice would cause such a huge ripple. However, she soon takes the lead in catching the 'villains' of the drama, fulfilling her role as a so-called 'growth character'. Eom Soo-jin, who touched drugs without knowing they were bad, decides to take a satisfying revenge on those who ruined her life, saying, "This is something I want to do."
Eom Soo-jin is fragile yet determined. A character that is both 'fragile' and 'determined' embodies two contradictory aspects. However, expressing these seemingly incompatible extremes simultaneously and harmoniously is Chae Won-bin's specialty. Chae Won-bin excellently portrayed the blurred line between good and evil in the MBC drama <Such an Intimate Betrayer>, resulting in her winning six rookie awards.
<Such an Intimate Betrayer> features Chae Won-bin's restrained yet explosive acting. The reason <Such an Intimate Betrayer> could show such a powerful second half was largely due to Chae Won-bin's role in intricately weaving the threads of mystery. According to director Song Yeon-hwa of <Such an Intimate Betrayer>, the reason he cast Chae Won-bin as Jang Ha-bin was because she was an actress with an 'animalistic sense'. Although the 'real' Chae Won-bin and Jang Ha-bin may have no similarities, they met through their commonality of possessing an 'animalistic sense'.
“Acting makes me the most afraid,
overwhelmed, and happy, and I want to do it for the rest of my life”
From the acceptance speech of actor Chae Won-bin for the New Actor Award in the TV category at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards with Gucci
Chae Won-bin is an actress who designs the details of a character with a sharp perspective, conveying a unique aura through her gaze, gestures, and tone. Chae Won-bin possesses a mysterious and diverse face and voice as much as her acting. Although she swept the rookie awards as Han Seok-kyu's daughter in <Such an Intimate Betrayer>, in reality, Chae Won-bin is a six-year veteran actress who has experienced various genres and roles, from a boxer to an idol trainee, a shaman in the Joseon era, and a murderer. Looking at her filmography, one can't help but say, "She really lived diligently." The rookie who was praised for "drawing attention with just one line" still expresses a diverse face with a voice that sounds like a radio even when speaking ordinary words, sharp and vivid expressiveness, and fresh charm.
Chae Won-bin made a mark on the public by showcasing her intense action as the leader of the Tow in <The Witch Part2. The Other One> (2022), while in the KBS drama <Pure Boxer>, she played the role of a boxer without a double. Additionally, in the KBS drama <Miss Granny>, she took on the role of an aspiring idol, performing singing, dancing, and rapping, making the title of 'rookie' actor seem somewhat embarrassing.
His numerous challenges, uncharacteristic of a rookie, seem to be related to Chae Won-bin's expression in her acceptance speech for the Baeksang Arts Awards New Actor Award, where she described acting as something that "makes me the most afraid, overwhelmed, and happy." The result of her relentless efforts to broaden her spectrum despite her fears is Jang Ha-bin in <Such an Intimate Betrayer>, Eom Soo-jin in <Opposition>, and Hanida in <Sweet Home>.
In an interview with Cineplay after the end of <Such an Intimate Betrayer>, Chae Won-bin expressed her desire to become an "actress who makes people curious about the future." As a result, she swept the rookie awards, including the Baeksang, proving that many people are indeed curious about Chae Won-bin.
Cineplay Reporter Kim Ji-yeon
