Kim Jae-joong Returns To The Big Screen After 14 Years With Occult Horror Film ‘the Shrine’

Kim Jae-joong is returning to cinema after 14 years, taking on a new acting challenge in the occult horror film ‘The Shrine’.

The singer and actor sat down for an interview on June 16 at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, ahead of the film’s release. During the conversation, he opened up about why he decided to return to the big screen after such a long break and what drew him to the horror occult genre.

Kim Jae-joong at the The Shrine movie showcase / News 1

Kim Jae-joong Opens Up About His Screen Comeback

Kim Jae-joong admitted that returning to acting, especially in a film, felt both unfamiliar and intimidating.

He said it had been a long time since he worked as an actor, and the idea of coming back through cinema made him feel a certain level of fear. However, he also explained that he had always carried a desire to try new challenges.

According to KimJ ae-joong, acting gives him a strong sense of joy. Even though he knew how attractive and rewarding the profession could be, he had also been cautious about returning too casually. He said he did not want to join a film simply with the mindset of “trying it once,” especially because movies require the time, money, and effort of many people.

Why He Chose ‘The Shrine’

Kim Jae-joong said ‘The Shrine’ arrived at the right time.

The project allowed him to coordinate his schedule and condition properly, while also giving him the chance to try a genre he had never attempted before. The film’s mix of horror, occult elements, and shamanistic themes sparked his curiosity.

He was also drawn to the involvement of Japanese director Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, known for films such as ‘Yoko’ and ‘#Manhole.’ Kim said he was excited to see how the director would transform the written script into a visual experience.

Kim Jae-joong Finds Joy in the Acting Process

Although returning to acting carried pressure, Kim Jae-joong said the process also reminded him of why he enjoys performance.

He described acting as a creative process that turns something written on the page into something alive on screen. For him, that process requires intense focus, thought, and emotional commitment.

Kim Jae-joong said that kind of deep concentration gives him a unique sense of satisfaction, adding that few other creative experiences bring him the same level of pleasure.

Kim Jae-joong at the The Shrine movie showcase / News 1

Kim Jae-joong Plays a Shaman Facing an Evil Spirit

In ‘The Shrine’ Kim Jae-joong plays Myung-jin, a male shaman with special abilities.

The story begins when three college students disappear after visiting an abandoned shrine in Kobe, Japan. Myung-jin becomes involved in the case and begins uncovering the truth behind the strange events, eventually confronting a mysterious evil spirit.

The film combines shamanism, occult horror, and suspense, giving Kim Jae-joong a role that is very different from his previous screen work.

A 14-Year Return Since ‘Code Name: Jackal’

The film marks Kim Jae-joong’s first big-screen appearance in 14 years since ‘Code Name: Jackal’ in 2012.

Because of that long gap, his return is drawing attention not only from fans but also from viewers curious to see how he approaches a darker and more intense genre.

For Kim Jae-joong, ‘The Shrine’ is more than just a comeback film. It is a chance to show a new side of himself as an actor and to explore a character shaped by fear, faith, and supernatural tension.

‘The Shrine’ Release Date

‘The Shrine’ will open exclusively at CGV on June 17.

With Kim Jae-joong returning to the big screen after more than a decade and director Kazuyoshi Kumakiri making his Korean film debut, the movie is expected to attract attention from both horror fans and longtime supporters of Kim’s acting career.