Two actresses headline uncommon crime thriller, bringing fresh perspective to traditionally male-dominated genre

Poster of 'Project Y' (provided by Plus M Entertainment)

Project Y, a crime thriller starring Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, opened simultaneously in South Korea and Japan on January 21. Rare among Korean crime films for centering two women as equal protagonists, the film reinterprets "loyalty" and "camaraderie"—qualities traditionally associated with male characters. The simultaneous release breaks from the typical six-month to one-year gap for Japanese premieres, leveraging Han So-hee's global recognition.

Set in an alley of nightlife establishments in the fictional "Hwajung Market" in Seoul's Gangnam district, the film follows Mi-seon (Han So-hee), an employee at a venue, and Do-kyung (Jeon Jong-seo), who makes a living driving hostesses around. The two are friends as close as family, with the shared goal of scraping together money as quickly as possible to leave the district. After losing their entire savings, they discover the location of 8 billion won (approximately $6 million USD) in gold bars hidden by a patron, Boss To (Kim Sung-cheol), setting the story into motion.

Director Lee Hwan comes from independent cinema, having directed Park Hwa-young (2018) and Young Adult Matters (2021), both centered on runaway teenagers. In his commercial film debut, Lee maintains his thematic interest in marginalized characters while embracing genre conventions. Unlike his earlier films, which received "no minors admitted" ratings, Project Y secured a "15 and over" rating while placing adults at the center.

The relationship between Mi-seon and Do-kyung notably conveys "loyalty" and "comradeship," qualities traditionally associated with male characters. The chemistry between Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, who say they became closer while filming, drives the movie with energy. Both actresses said they were drawn to the chance to make a buddy film that "can carry a story with peers."

The film also offers variation among women characters, including "mother" Ga-young (Kim Shin-rok), who throws the duo into emotional crisis, and Hwangso (Jung Young-joo), who pursues them as Boss To's right hand. Jung Young-joo described it as "a work that allows you to fully see on screen the reckless energy actresses deliver." With hip-hop musician Gray serving as music director, the film adds urbane sophistication through an original soundtrack featuring women vocalists across eras, including Hwasa, Kim Wan-sun, and Ahn Shin-ae.

Prior to theatrical release, Project Y premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival in September, followed by screenings at Busan International Film Festival and London East Asian Film Festival, where it won Best Film. The film also screened at Palm Springs International Film Festival in January 2026.

Han So-hee visited Tokyo on January 13-14 for promotional activities, including a sold-out premiere screening where she greeted audiences and conducted an autographed poster giveaway. The enthusiastic local response demonstrated strong Japanese market interest.

Project Y represents significant developments in Korean cinema on multiple fronts. The film expands female-centered narratives within Korean crime cinema, with two women protagonists operating as equals—a departure from Han Jun-hee's Chinatown (2015), where Kim Hye-soo and Kim Go-eun were positioned in a hierarchical relationship. Director Lee Hwan's transition from independent to commercial cinema demonstrates one pathway for auteur filmmakers entering genre filmmaking while maintaining thematic concerns.

The simultaneous Korea-Japan release strategy presents new distribution possibilities. This approach leverages Han So-hee's recognition in Japan through Netflix series Gyeongseong Creature and My Name, with her direct promotional participation proving crucial. The strategy could influence how other Korean films approach overseas markets if reception proves positive.

Within the broader trend of female-led action and crime films—including Ballerina (2023) and Kill Boksoon (2023)—Project Y distinguishes itself through the buddy movie format. The film's performance will likely influence future production of female-centered genre films and adoption of simultaneous release models.

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