TWICE's JEONGYEON to make acting debut in military hospital film

JEONGYEON will make her film acting debut as nursing officer Yoo Jeong-yeon in 'New Recruit: Haunted Military Hospital', which is scheduled for release on December 30. The film expands the 'sinbyeong' universe to the theater, following new recruits who uncover secrets at a military hospital.

JEONGYEON of TWICE is transforming from an idol on stage into an elegant nursing officer. Attention is turning toward her first still image, which reveals her serious challenge as an actress in the film 'New Recruit: Haunted Military Hospital'. Interest is growing regarding what kind of facial expressions and acting JEONGYEON will display on screen while wearing a nursing officer's uniform instead of stage outfits.

The film 'New Recruit: Haunted Military Hospital' has confirmed its release date for December 30 and released its first still images. Provided and distributed by KT Studio Genie with participation in production by Story Island, the work is directed and written by Min Jin-gi, with Yoon Gi-yeong also credited for the screenplay. As the 'sinbyeong' universe, which gained popularity through web content and series, expands its stage to the theater, attention is focused on whether it can captivate both existing fans and new audiences.

The story follows new recruits who enter a military hospital expecting a sweet rest, only to encounter terrifying rumors in a place they believed to be heaven, leading them to uncover the secrets hidden behind them. It is characterized by combining the unique comedy of 'sinbyeong'—which has been loved for its realistic depiction of military life and the witty dialogue of its distinct characters—with the mystery and horror of the unfamiliar setting of a military hospital. A key point of interest is how the laughter from familiar military life will intertwine with bizarre incidents to create tension.

The released stills feature the familiar "new recruits" including Park Min-seok (Kim Min-ho), Choi Il-gu (Nam Tae-woo), Kang Chan-seok (Lee Jung-hyun), Kim Dong-woo (Jang Sung-bum), Im Da-hye (Jeon Seung-hoon), Choi Byeong-nam (Kim Hee-soo), and Seong Yoon-mo (Kim Hyun-gyu). Appearing in patient uniforms while pointing toward a single direction, their appearance suggests unusual incidents will occur at the military hospital. The familiar combination of actors who have worked together for a long time raises expectations for their characteristic witty banter, while also sparking curiosity about what absurd and strange situations will unfold this time.

A mysterious figure contrasting with the comedic atmosphere also draws attention. Ryu Kyung-soo takes on the role of Yoo Jae-hoon, a mysterious soldier staring out a window alone. Unlike the other characters, his cold and heavy atmosphere stimulates curiosity regarding his relationship with the incidents occurring at the military hospital. It is expected that he will heighten the tension of the story by unraveling the secrets tied to the space and the characters' stories, moving beyond the commotion of the new recruits.

The character generating the most buzz is the nursing officer Yoo Jeong-yeon. Appearing at the military hospital in a neat uniform, JEONGYEON reveals a different charm from the image she has shown on stage. While it is difficult to judge her acting skills or the specific weight of her character from the short stills released, the fact that she, who is familiar to the public through her idol activities, is challenging film acting for the first time is enough to draw interest. Curiosity is growing among audiences regarding how Yoo Jeong-yeon will be involved in the suspicious incidents at the military hospital and what kind of relationship she will form with the new recruits.

JEONGYEON recently left JYP Entertainment to establish a new base for her acting career at VARO Entertainment, where her older sister, actress Gong Seung-yeon, is signed. As she expands her field of activity from her global performances as a member of TWICE, this work is expected to be the first stage to verify the potential of actress JEONGYEON. In particular, attention is focused on whether she can demonstrate an expressive range different from her stage persona through the neat and restrained character of a nursing officer.

The production team has highlighted the genre shifts between laughter and horror, and the combinations created by the newly joined characters and the existing new recruits, as major points of interest. Expectations are also high for how the bizarre incidents occurring in the limited space of the military hospital will harmonize with the humor of the existing series. With the return of familiar characters and the addition of new faces, the film aims to differentiate itself as a theatrical version while maintaining the unique fun of 'sinbyeong'.

'New Recruit: Haunted Military Hospital', carrying two major talking points—the first film challenge of idol JEONGYEON and the expansion of the 'sinbyeong' universe to the screen—will meet audiences on December 30. Interest is gathering to see what kind of acting JEONGYEON will show after transforming into an elegant nursing officer, and whether the military hospital mystery, which combines laughter and chills, will appeal to theater audiences.

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