Why ‘My Name Is’ is a Must-Watch: Insights from Cast and Director Ahead of April 15 Release

On the afternoon of April 2, a press conference for the film My Name Is (director Jung Ji-young) was held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Director Jung Ji-young and actors Yeom Hye-ran, Shin Woo-bin, Choi Jun-woo, and Park Ji-bin attended and discussed the film.

My Name Is is set against the 1949 Jeju April 3 incident and follows characters grappling with that history. The story centers on Jung-soon (Yeom Hye-ran), a mother who had to hide her name for 78 years, and Young-ok (Shin Woo-bin), a boy desperate to shed his old-fashioned name, bringing the pain of that history back into focus.

At the event, Yeom said, \”Because this is based on real events, I approached it with caution, but the material’s literary qualities drew me in. The film doesn’t simply retell the incident or remain stuck in the past; it also weaves in perspectives about how we should view this case on its 78th anniversary. Jung-soon is a complex figure — both a perpetrator and a victim — which made the project and the character especially compelling.\”

She portrays Jung-soon, a woman who experienced the tragedy endured by Jeju residents. Yeom added, \”Conveying such deep pain was the most challenging part, but I felt a kinship with this strong mother who lived through Korea’s history with her whole being.\”

As the film’s lead, Yeom devoted significant effort to preparation. \”I referenced works dealing with the Jeju 4.3 incident, and collections of firsthand testimonies were the most helpful. Their unfiltered words played the biggest role,\” she said. \”For this project, I also began formal training in Korean dance.\”

Meanwhile, My Name Is opens on the 15th.

[TV Daily reporter Han Seo-yul news@tvdaily.co.kr]