On April 8, 2025, South Korean news source JTBC News revealed that actress Kim Hye-yoon has officially confirmed her participation in an upcoming horror film titled Salmokji (working title: A Place to Kill). The film draws inspiration from the eerie occurrences surrounding the real Salmokji reservoir and will delve into local ghost stories linked to the area.
In this project, Kim Hye-yoon is poised to take center stage as the lead character. Renowned director Lee Sang-min will helm the film, which is set to commence filming later this year. This marks her return to the silver screen after almost three years since her last role in Dynggam (2022), prompting enthusiastic reactions from her fan base about her cinematic comeback.
“Big screen queen comeback AHHH,”an X user commented.
According to JTBC News, Salmokji will be produced by The Lamp, a studio known for popular titles such as Taxi Driver, Samjin Group English TOEIC Class, and Escaure. Showbox is responsible for distributing the film, and fans quickly took to social media to voice their excitement upon hearing the news.
“I remember one time me and @rynmrssn talked about how hyeyoon might go for a more popular/lighter roles for dramas and heavier/darker roles for movies and maybe it seems to be correct? I believe only an actress with a very wide acting range can pull this off. She’s an acting genius we can always trust 🫶🏻,”a fan remarked.
“The place itself sounds scary & #KimHyeYoon the Horror lover would definitely take the movie to the next level. So excited to see how the story will unfold, and certainly can’t wait to see Kim Hye Yoon being the Protagonist! Wishing Hye Yoonie success, protection & happiness!🤲🏻,”another fan noted.
“OMG 😭 I knew it will come, I knew it 🤧 / Welcome back to the big screen baby🎉 / Really can’t wait, stay healthy hyeyoon sayang 🤍,”a netizen shared.
Many described the announcement as a delightful surprise that greeted them in the morning.
“I wake up, open my mobile and then there is a new explosion ✨ Surprise at it’s peak 🤌🏻😭,”a user mentioned.
“My irreplaceable best actress Kim Hyeyoniee! 🙃,”another fan expressed.
“Truth is she’ll never stop giving you good surprises like almost every day oh queen behavior,”a dedicated follower added.
Upcoming Project: Kim Hye-yoon in Human From Today
In December 2024, SBS showcased the first teaser for the forthcoming drama Human from Today at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards. This fantasy romantic comedy features Kim Hye-yoon alongside Park Solomon, also known as Lomon, in key roles.
In the series, Kim portrays Eunho, a gumiho, or nine-tailed fox from Korean folklore, who deliberately evades performing good deeds to avoid her transformation into a human. Meanwhile, Park Solomon plays the self-centered soccer player Kang Si-yeol, whose presence significantly alters Eun Ho’s life.
The teaser opens with a character sketching a fox, transitioning to scenes that reveal Eunho’s personality and mundane routine. Throughout the series, Eunho navigates the pleasures of human life while shunning emotional and moral dilemmas. As her interactions with Kang Si-yeol evolve from mere acquaintanceship to a deeper connection, a pivotal moment arises where Eunho is warned of a critical choice: to embrace humanity or face oblivion.
The supporting cast of Human from Today will include Jang Dong-joo, Lee Si-woo, and Ji Seung-jun, who are anticipated to play vital roles within the narrative. Currently being produced under the SBS network, the drama is expected to air in 2025, although a specific release date has yet to be announced. The network plans to provide additional updates as the premiere approaches.
In related news, Kim Hye-yoon earned a nomination for Best Actress at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards for her role in Lovely Runner, contributing to a total of five nominations for the drama—also including accolades for Best Drama and Best Actor for Byeon Woo Seok.