'Mission: Cross' actor Yum Jung-ah reveals fear over decision to release on Netflix

Yum, a veteran actor with a 33-year acting career, has never had a film released directly to a streaming service before. She was, therefore, shocked and even scared by the fact that her film was not hitting theaters.

Actor Yum Jung-ah [NETFLIX]

To release on Netflix or in theaters? That is the question.

Actor Yum Jung-ah says her new film "Mission: Cross" was at a crossroads between the two platforms, with the producers finally deciding to go with streaming for the release. Yum, a veteran actor with a 33-year acting career, has never had a film released directly to a streaming service before. She was, therefore, shocked and even scared by the fact that her film was not hitting theaters.

Was it the right decision? Yum is now very relieved and says it indeed was. The film was released on Aug. 9 on Netflix, and Yum says she's starting to notice the global impact.

The film, directed by Lee Myung-hoon, revolves around the former agent-turned-househusband Kang-mu, played by actor Hwang Jung-min, who is hiding his previous life from his wife Mi-seon, a veteran detective played by Yum. Mi-seon's husband gets involved in a secret mission to help his former agent colleague Hee-ju, which makes Mi-seon suspicious of their relationship. As Mi-seon tracks her husband down, she unintentionally gets entangled in a risky situation.

A still from Netflix's action film ″Mission: Cross″ [NETFLIX]

A still from Netflix's action film ″Mission: Cross″ [NETFLIX]

“I heard that it’s going to be released worldwide,” Yum said, adding that she didn't really get it. “But now, seeing the numbers and hearing that it ranked No. 8 worldwide, I’m starting to realize what 'global' really means.”

The film entered the Netflix top 10 list in 23 regions around the world, ranking No. 8 on Netflix’s global film category as of Sunday, according to analytics site FlixPatrol. It also topped the charts in five countries, including in Korea, Japan and Vietnam.

The actor also added that she enjoys reading the reviews, saying that one of her favorite comments was that “she has great chemistry with actor Hwang.”

Yum is currently starring in the Disney+ series “No Way Out: The Roulette,” released on July 31, and the tvN variety show “Fresh off the Sea,” airing since July 18.

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