Actor Uhm Jung-hwa. Courtesy of CGV Pictures

Actor Uhm Jung-hwa has taken another step forward. Returning with ‘Okay Madam’ after six years, she expanded the stage from an airplane to a cruise ship and moved beyond comic acting to stand at the center of full-fledged action.

Meeting Sports Kyunghyang at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 4th, Uhm Jung-hwa described the film ‘Okay Madam 2’ as “a truly precious work.”

Poster for the film ‘Okay Madam 2’.

‘Okay Madam 2’ is a comedic action film about Im Mi-young (Uhm Jung-hwa) and her family getting caught up in an unexpected incident on an ultra-luxury cruise. Following the previous installment, Uhm Jung-hwa, Park Sung-woong, Lee Sang-yoon, and Bae Jung-nam reunite, with Park Jin-joo, Ryeoun, and Choi Soo-young newly joining.

The first film, released in 2020, ran into the unforeseen variable of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was quickly drawing audiences and raising hopes for a hit, but right after the release, reinforced social distancing froze the theaters.

“We quickly climbed to 1.22 million admissions, so I thought, ‘At this pace, we might really meet a lot of viewers.’ We even inflated a 2-million balloon, but in the end we could not use it. I cried afterward. It was something no one could have predicted. Even so, the film kept being loved on OTT, and we eventually got to make a sequel, so it feels like the will of heaven.”

Still from the film ‘Okay Madam 2’.

Uhm Jung-hwa contributed active input from the planning stage. She wanted to increase the weight of the action compared with the first film and, by making full use of the cruise setting, create a work in which viewers could feel travel, action, comedy, and family love all together.

“While making the first film, I thought it would be nice to have a little more action. Because a woman is doing action, I did not want to make it weaker or gloss over it with circumstances; I wanted to deliver truly cool action. By using every space on the cruise, I hoped audiences would feel the same thrill as if they were traveling along.”

She said that in the duel scene with Choi Soo-young as ‘Anya,’ she wanted to erase the very division of ‘female action.’ In rough waves and cold, the two actors kept going with the action until they were completely spent.

Still from the film ‘Okay Madam 2’.

“Rather than the feeling that women are fighting, I wanted it to be an action scene of two people fiercely battling, plain and simple. Soo-young is an actor with a talent for physical work, so I was truly surprised. We were on a cruise ship with waves crashing and it was so cold, but it fit the scene so well. After we shot it, both of us were completely knocked down.”

Despite the intensity of the action, age was not a factor. That was thanks to her steady conditioning through boxing, Pilates, weight training, yoga, and surfing.

“There was nothing that was harder because of age. It was action that would have been tough for almost anyone. No matter when or what project comes along, I do not want to think, ‘I cannot do it because I lack stamina,’ so I steadily keep up with exercise and diet.”

With Park Sung-woong as her husband Seok-hwan, she achieved an even more relaxed marital rhythm than in the previous film. At first, she thought he might be a difficult partner because of his strong charisma, but now they have become like family who meet often even after filming ends.

Still from the film ‘Okay Madam 2’.

“When I first heard the script had gone to Park Sung-woong, I asked, ‘Is his personality a bit scary?’ But after our first meeting, I became very comfortable. This time we could even do the scene where I smack his head, naturally. Whatever I do, he receives it all, so he is a truly great partner.”

As the lead who steers the work, she felt a sense of responsibility, yet she emphasized that ‘Okay Madam 2’ is an ensemble film where the appeal of each character comes alive.

“Of course I feel tense and responsible. It is a film I lead, but in each scene the actors are well arrayed, and every character is alive. There will be plenty of fun to watch.”

Actor Uhm Jung-hwa. Courtesy of CGV Pictures

Amid the growth of OTT, there were times she worried theaters might disappear. But she believed the joy inherent in the very act of going to the cinema cannot be fully replaced by other media.

“Just as LPs disappeared, CDs appeared, and now we listen as digital tracks, I worried that theaters might vanish for films as well. Merely going to the cinema is exciting in itself. Through ‘Okay Madam 2,’ I hope families and friends can laugh together and keep that time of eating after watching a movie going.”

At the end of the interview, Uhm Jung-hwa extended an invitation to the summer box office with her signature bright energy.

“Everyone, the summer is really so hot. Please come to the theater, enjoy a cool drink and delicious popcorn, and watch ‘Okay Madam 2.’ Do not stress out, let out some genuine laughs, enjoy the action, and have a refreshingly cool summer.”

The film ‘Okay Madam 2’ opens on the 12th.