Secret's Jun Hyo-seong to star in film inspired by 'Busan roundhouse kick case'

The "Busan roundhouse kick case," where a man knocked down a woman with a roundhouse kick to rape and murder her, is set to be made into a film with girl group Secret’s Jun Hyo-seong taking the lead role, according to local reports.

Singer and actor Jun Hyo-seong poses for a photo during a VIP screening for film ″Love Reset″ in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Sept. 25, 2023. [NEWS1]

The "Busan roundhouse kick case," where a man knocked down a woman with a roundhouse kick to rape and murder her, is set to be made into a film with girl group Secret’s Jun Hyo-seong taking the lead role, according to local reports.

The film, inspired by the incident, is scheduled to begin filming this month, according to media outlet Osen.

Jun recently made the decision to take on the role, according to the report. It will be her first lead role in a film after 15 years since debuting as a member of Secret in 2009.

The film aims to address issues related to random violent attacks in Korean society and is planned to be released next year, the report said.

The victim from the case will also contribute as a script consultant for the film, according to the media outlet. She recently published a book titled "I'll Fight Because I'm Not Dead" (translated) in February to help other victims in similar situations.

The Busan roundhouse kick case occurred on May 22, 2022 on the first floor of the victim’s apartment in Busanjin District, Busan. The 31-year-old assailant, identified by his surname Lee, followed and knocked down the victim with a roundhouse kick to the back of her head. He repeatedly struck her until she lost consciousness. There was no prior acquaintance between the assailant and the victim.

The case provoked public fury after the surveillance footage of the incident was released to the public early last year.

In September 2023, the Supreme Court sentenced Lee to a 20-year prison sentence for attempted sexual assault on top of murder. His sentence included disclosing his personal information on public communication networks for 10 years and wearing an electronic tracking device for 20 years.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]