Actress Eom Jeong-hwa is making a powerful comeback to the big screen this summer as the star of the action-comedy film ‘Okay Madam 2’. The highly anticipated sequel promises more laughs and thrilling stunts, continuing the legacy of its predecessor.
‘Okay Madam 2’ Production Briefing Held in Seoul
A production briefing for ‘Okay Madam 2’ took place on July 13th at the CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul. The event was attended by the film’s lead actors, including Eom Jeong-hwa, Park Sung-woong, Lee Sang-yoon, Bae Jeong-nam, Park Jin-joo, Ryu Yeon, and Choi Soo-young, alongside director Lee Cheol-ha.
Set to premiere on August 12th, ‘Okay Madam 2’ follows the chaotic adventures of Mi-young, a former legendary flight attendant, and her family. What begins as a much-needed escape from the summer heat on a super-luxury cruise vacation quickly devolves into a high-stakes, comedic action-thriller when they get caught in a hijacking incident. Director Lee Cheol-ha, who helmed the first film, returns to the director’s chair for the sequel.
Director Reflects on the Journey to ‘Okay Madam 2’
Director Lee Cheol-ha expressed his deep gratitude and excitement for the release of the sequel, noting the six-year gap since the first film. He recalled the challenges faced during the original film’s release in August 2014, which coincided with a surge in COVID-19 cases, leading to the cancellation of promotional events. “We were devastated when the premiere was postponed due to the pandemic,” Lee shared. “The original cast members were very sad because we had poured so much effort into the film.”
Despite the initial setbacks, the first ‘Okay Madam’ found a significant audience through Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming platforms, generating steady revenue. “Thanks to that success, we were able to make a second film,” Lee explained. “My wish was to create a sequel with the actors, and their support and positive reception made it possible. This moment feels even more meaningful because it took six years to get here.”
Eom Jeong-hwa and Park Sung-woong Reunite for More Action and Chemistry
In ‘Okay Madam 2’, Eom Jeong-hwa reprises her role as Mi-young, delivering even more explosive action sequences and showcasing her unique comedic chemistry with co-star Park Sung-woong. The pair reunite as a married couple in the film.
Eom Jeong-hwa shared her satisfaction with their on-screen partnership: “We’ve become so close that filming felt more like fun than work. I really enjoyed it.” She also expressed her enthusiasm for the film’s action sequences, particularly the expanded scope compared to the first movie. “I worked hard, and I love action scenes. The space in this film is much larger, allowing for more dynamic action that I think audiences will enjoy.”
Highlighting a particular action sequence, Eom added, “There’s an action scene with Choi Soo-young, the villain, which we filmed intensely on the sea. I hope many people can feel the intensity of that moment.”
Park Sung-woong plays Seok-hwan, Mi-young’s husband, who is an elite agent in the National Intelligence Service but a seemingly ordinary homebody in reality. Reflecting on his reunion with Eom Jeong-hwa, he reminisced about their first film together. “When we first filmed ‘Okay Madam’, Eom Jeong-hwa was a bit scared of me, and I almost got cut from the movie,” he joked. “So, I offered to treat her to a meal if she invited me, promising to show her I wasn’t scary.”
He also spoke about reuniting with actress Kim Bin-na, who plays their daughter Subin, after a six-year hiatus. “I met our daughter Subin again after six years. Her face hasn’t changed, but she’s grown so much physically. During the test shoot, the three of us together felt like we had gone back in time.”
New and Returning Cast Members Bring Fresh Energy
‘Okay Madam 2’ also features a dynamic ensemble cast, blending familiar faces with new additions.
- Lee Sang-yoon portrays Cheol-seung, Mi-young’s former colleague from her days as a legendary flight attendant.
- Bae Jeong-nam plays Hyun-min, the groom at a cruise ship wedding that becomes the center of the plot.
- Park Jin-joo takes on the role of Seon-ah, the representative of the ‘Eastern Venus’ ship, whose life is on the line during the cruise.
- Ryu Yeon plays Ji-hoon, a magician on the cruise who becomes entangled with Mi-young in a way that feels almost magical.
- Choi Soo-young stars as Ah-ra, the ruthless leader of a criminal organization targeting the cruise.
Ryu Yeon, who makes her screen debut in ‘Okay Madam 2’, shared her initial nervousness. “As it was my first film, I was very anxious. But it was an honor to work alongside seniors like Eom Jeong-hwa and Park Sung-woong. They approached me first and made me feel comfortable, which helped ease my tension significantly.”
Choi Soo-young spoke about the significance of this role as her first action film in her nearly 20-year career. “‘Okay Madam 2’ is my first action project. It’s meaningful that after 20 years, I’m finally taking on an action role. Working with Eom Jeong-hwa senior added another layer of meaning for me.” She added, “As you’ll see in the movie, Eom Jeong-hwa senior performs incredible action from beginning to end. I felt almost guilty being the one to keep up with her. I felt I couldn’t let her down.” Choi expressed her gratitude for Eom’s support: “She really cherished me, worked well with me, and showed great consideration, which allowed me to film comfortably.”
Cast and Crew Express Hopes for Audience Reception
The cast and director concluded the briefing by expressing their hopes for the film’s success and its reception by audiences.
Director Lee Cheol-ha stated, “I am grateful if the film can at least break even for everyone who invested in it. The audience who comes to see it afterwards is a gift to me. The more people come, the better we will prepare for future projects.”
Eom Jeong-hwa conveyed her heartfelt wishes: “I am happy to present the second film. I hope our movie brings a refreshing feeling to everyone.”
Park Sung-woong added, “Our chemistry was so good that the six-year break felt non-existent. I hope audiences can come to the theater, relieve their stress, and have a happy summer.”
Eom Jeong-hwa, who has earned the nickname ‘the female Tom Cruise’ for her action prowess, even sent a special video message to the Hollywood star. “Tom, I am Eom Jeong-hwa, an actress working in Korea. I hope we can meet someday and do an action scene together,” she said with a hopeful smile.
‘Okay Madam 2’ is poised to deliver a thrilling and hilarious cinematic experience, marking a significant return for Eom Jeong-hwa as an action lead.
