Bae Doona returns to romance in ‘Virus’, 15 years after ‘Air Doll’

Bae Doona returns to romance in ‘Virus’, 15 years after ‘Air Doll’

South Korean actress Bae Doona is set to make her long-awaited return to romance with the upcoming film Virus, opening in theaters on May 7. This marks her first role in a romantic film in 15 years, since Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Air Doll in 2010.

Virus tells the story of Taek-seon (played by Bae), who becomes infected with a mysterious condition called the "Toxo Virus"—a fictional virus that causes people to fall in love upon exposure. Along her journey, she encounters three men: a nerdy scientist Soo-pil (Son Suk-ku), a long-lost friend Yeon-woo (Jang Kiha), and a reclusive expert on the virus, Lee Gyun (Kim Yoon-seok).

In a teaser released earlier this month, Bae transforms from a cynical character to a bright, love-struck woman, drawing praise from fans online for her expressive acting and natural charm.

At a press event held on April 16, Bae said, “I’ve done a lot of dark projects lately, like Kingdom and The Drug King, but I believe that making audiences feel warm is also a film’s virtue. I really enjoyed filming this one—it felt like shooting hearts all day.”

She added that her character's pre-infection personality closely resembled her own, saying, “Isn’t love a virus too? It makes you feel better, more positive. I really relate to that.”

Director Kang Yi-gwan noted that the film was shot some time ago but was held back due to sensitivities around COVID-19. “Now felt like the right moment to tell this story,” he said. “I hope it brings laughter and healing.”

Virus, blending quirky sci-fi with heartfelt romance, opens in South Korean cinemas on May 7.

 

Source: Bypoem Studio, The Lamp