YooA Challenges Herself Through Her Film Debut Project Y, Learning to Curse as If Practicing Singing

YooA (Doc.ist)

SecondUpdate.com – YooA, long known as a K-pop idol with a cheerful and wholesome image, is now showing a different side of herself through her big-screen acting debut in the Korean film Project Y.

In this crime-genre film, YooA plays Ha Kyung, a character who is far removed from her real-life personality, including a habit of frequently using profanity.

At the Project Y press conference held on Thursday (January 8, 2026), YooA admitted that the role was a major challenge for her. She even said she was “shocked” when she first read the script.

According to YooA, Ha Kyung’s lines were very bold and unfamiliar to her. She initially doubted whether she could portray the character convincingly. However, encouragement from the director helped boost her confidence.

The director noted that the ability to deliver dialogue convincingly is part of an actor’s charm.

The contrast between Ha Kyung’s character and YooA’s real personality is quite striking. YooA confessed that she almost never swears in real life, so saying harsh words in front of others felt extremely awkward.

To overcome this, YooA came up with a unique approach. She practiced her profanity-filled lines as if she were doing vocal training for singing.

She focused on building rhythm in each sentence, treating the dialogue like a melody so it would sound more natural.

YooA even continued practicing during acting workshops by throwing those lines at her co-stars, although she admitted it made her feel a bit guilty, something she shared with a laugh.

Another interesting point is that YooA stars opposite Kim Sung Cheol, who plays Boss To, Ha Kyung’s husband.

Despite portraying a married couple in the film, the two actors only filmed one scene together.

Kim Sung Cheol explained that although the word “wife” appears in the script, their relationship in the story is difficult to view as a typical married couple. This forms part of the unique dynamic built within the film.

Adding to the humor, YooA and Kim Sung Cheol actually met in person for the first time on the day they shot that scene. Kim Sung Cheol said he was surprised when YooA arrived with blood-soaked makeup. Prior to that, he had only known her through music videos.

While immersing himself in the scene, Kim Sung Cheol admitted that he acted with a sense of guilt, considering how Boss To treats Ha Kyung in the story.

In response, YooA expressed her hope to work with Kim Sung Cheol again in the future.

Project Y is a crime film set in Gangnam, Seoul, an area known for its luxury and glamorous lifestyle.

The film centers on two close friends, Mi Seon (Han So Hee) and Do Kyung (Jeon Jong Seo), who rely solely on each other.

Driven by desperation and a desire to change their lives, the two boldly plan to steal gold bars worth 8 billion won, intending to disappear afterward without leaving a trace.

YooA’s debut in Project Y marks an important step in her career, highlighting her courage to step out of her comfort zone and take on a character completely different from the image that has long been associated with her.