# Kim Hyun-joo Plays a Mother Who Lost Her Son in Psychological Thriller 'The Lost Paradise'

- URL: https://unnienote.app/en/news/kim-hyun-joo-the-lost-paradise-mother-role-183da2
- Published: 2026-10-20T07:42:51.617Z
- Publisher: Unnie Note

> Kim Hyun-joo stars as a mother who lost her son in a school bus disappearance in the psychological thriller 'The Lost Paradise', directed by Yeon Sang-ho.

## Key points

1. Her character's son unexpectedly returns alive nine years later
2. It is her fourth film with director Yeon Sang-ho
3. The low-budget film was shot in 14 days over about a month

## What is 'The Lost Paradise' about?

Kim Hyun-joo leads the psychological thriller 'The Lost Paradise', in which she plays Ryu So-young, a mother who lost her son nine years ago when a camping school bus disappeared. The story begins when her son, Ryu Seon-woo, returns alive, as if by miracle.

## Who directed the film?

The film is directed by Yeon Sang-ho, whose previous film 'Psychokinesis' drew more than one million viewers last year. It is Kim Hyun-joo's fourth project with him, following 'Hellbound', 'The Bequeathed', and 'Jung_E'.

## What did Kim Hyun-joo say about the role?

In an interview at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the 16th, Kim Hyun-joo said she trusts Yeon Sang-ho as a collaborator and felt she could take on the role partly because she is not a mother herself. She described the character's emotions as ranging from grief over losing her child to a near-obsessive attachment to an AI version of her son.

## Was it a big-budget production?

No. According to the interview, the film had a net production cost of about 500 million won and was shot across 14 days over roughly a month. Kim Hyun-joo said the rawness of the shoot suited the story.

## For international fans

Yeon Sang-ho is known internationally for the zombie series 'Hellbound', which Kim Hyun-joo also starred in. Fans who followed that series may recognize the director's style of dark, emotionally heavy storytelling.

## FAQ

### Is Kim Hyun-joo's character a mother in the film?

Yes. She plays Ryu So-young, a mother who lost her son nine years earlier in a camping school bus disappearance.

### Has Kim Hyun-joo worked with Yeon Sang-ho before?

Yes. 'The Lost Paradise' is their fourth collaboration, after 'Hellbound', 'The Bequeathed', and 'Jung_E'.

## Sources

- [YTN](https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0117_202610191415149945)

_Written and translated with AI from official announcements and Korean media reports. If something is wrong, please let us know._