Jun Ji-hyun Shows off Tough Side in New Espionage Film

In her latest film "Assassination", actress Jun Ji-hyun plays a sniper for a Korean independence fighters group who's willing to risk her life for her country under the colonial occupation by Japan in the 1930s.

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The period espionage film is on track to be a box office smash as it has drawn more than 4 million viewers in the first week since its release.

The role required enormous physical strength as Jeon had to perform lots of stunts while carrying a 5-kg gun.

"During filming, there is no time to exercise, and stamina is crucial", she said. "I work out every day, so I'm confident about my physical strength. I go to gym every day and do various types of training".

Although she did not speak much in the film, the depth of her emotions is quite evident. Jeon appears in about 80 percent of the film's 139-minute running time.

"I tried to restrain myself during filming", she said. "I appear in almost every scene, and if I had tried to say what I wanted to say every time, it would have been tiring for everyone. I tried to be flexible and stay restrained as much as possible".

Jeon was an iconic figure throughout the 2000s, and her influence is still felt today. In her mid 30s now, she is enjoying ever more popularity and her acting career is blossoming.

"I think I will continue to act until I'm very old", she said. "It makes me feel like what I'm doing isn't my last job and like I'm working for something greater to come".

For her, a good person makes a good actor.

"I've been asked countless times how I want to be remembered", she said. "At the end of the day, I think I want to be a good person. My true self will emerge no matter what kind of role I play, and people will know what kind of person I am even if they don't meet me in person".