Bae Hyun-sung Takes On Dark New Role in Yeon Sang-ho's "Paradise Lost"

Actor Bae Hyun-sung is taking on a darker turn with the new psychological thriller "Paradise Lost." The film held its production presentation on Thursday at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan district, Seoul, with director Yeon Sang-ho and stars Kim Hyun-joo and Bae in attendance.

"Paradise Lost" follows a mother who lost her son nine years earlier after he disappeared on a camping school trip. The story begins when the boy she long believed dead suddenly returns home. The film was officially invited to the Special Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival and will screen as its Asian premiere at the 31st Busan International Film Festival's Gala Presentation.

Kim plays Ryu So-young, a mother thrown off balance by the unfamiliar version of the son who has come back to her. Bae plays that son, Ryu Sun-woo, returning after nine years away.

Bae had previously made a special appearance in "Hellbound Season 2," but "Paradise Lost" marks his first full project with Yeon.

"I was pulled into the script right away, and I really liked it," Bae said. "I signed on because I was excited about the chance to show a new side of myself, something different from the acting I've done so far."

The character of Sun-woo is no longer the innocent child his mother remembers from nine years ago. He returns as someone she does not recognize.

"I think Sun-woo would have felt hurt and resentful," Bae explained. "He's been living through a hard time, and then he learns his mother spent those nine years living with an AI version of him. I tried to bring out that dark side of him."

"Paradise Lost" opens in South Korean theaters on Oct. 21.