STAYC’s Su-min Makes Her Acting Debut in Horror Film
It’s official—Su-min from K-pop girl group STAYC is trading the stage for the silver screen. And she’s not just gently dipping her toes into acting; she’s diving headfirst into the dark and fearsome world of horror films. The upcoming Korean horror flick The Whisper Market (original title: Gwishi) hits theaters on July 17, marking Su-min’s acting debut as a leading character.
From Summer Queen to Scream Queen
Known for her vibrant stage presence and sunny charisma, Su-min has been a key member of STAYC since their debut. But in The Whisper Market, she takes on a dramatically different role as Su-yeon—a high school student weighed down by her obsessive pursuit of academic perfection. Say goodbye to bubblegum pop; this is all haunting stares and existential dread.
Su-yeon is the daughter of Hee-jin (played by veteran actress Seo Young-hee), a mother who will stop at nothing to get her child into an elite university. In their desperation, the duo turns to an eerie black market for ghosts—aptly dubbed ‘Gwishi’, a supernatural trading floor where desires come at truly terrifying costs.
What is ‘Gwishi’ All About?
The Whisper Market spins a surreal and spine-chilling tale. Here’s the premise: when a fox-shaped window opens, it reveals access to a secret ghost marketplace. This eerie bazaar tempts people to obtain things they couldn’t achieve in real life—through forbidden, and frankly, ghostly deals. It’s the kind of plot where Hallyu horror lovers thrive, reminiscent of hits like The Wailing or Whispering Corridors.
The film, directed by Hong Won-ki, is known for his striking visual flair—previously seen in countless high-profile music videos. It’s safe to say Su-min is in creatively twisted hands.
Su-min’s Performance: Idol to Actress
Despite being a rookie actress, Su-min is earning early applause from industry insiders for her ability to channel complex emotions—particularly anxiety, insecurity, and suppressed rage. She reportedly delivers a grounded and haunting take on a student buckling under the pressure of South Korea’s hyper-competitive college admissions system.
While she’s previously shone with STAYC’s energetic image, Su-min’s performance in The Whisper Market reveals impressive range, showing her capable of more nuanced and emotionally fraught roles. Fans are eagerly watching to see how she balances her parallel careers in music and acting.
STAYC’s Global Power Boosts the Buzz
This debut comes on the heels of STAYC’s global momentum. The group recently wrapped up the ‘STAY TUNED’ world tour, performing in eight major cities across Asia. And starting October, they’ll be heading to ten U.S. cities for more performances, cementing their place as next-gen K-pop queens.
- Completed Asian tour in 8 cities
- U.S. tour kicks off this October in 10 cities
- Frequent appearances in major music festivals and award shows
No wonder STAYC has been dubbed the definitive ‘Summer Queens’ of K-pop—balancing music festival energy with a horror film release? Iconic.
What’s Next for Bae Su-min?
With this film, Su-min formally introduces her acting persona, Bae Su-min. While it’s her first on-screen role, it likely won’t be the last. Her management, High Up Entertainment, hints that she’ll continue pursuing diverse artistic avenues—whether on stage, screen, or somewhere eerie in between.
Now that she’s proven she can terrify as well as she can charm, fans online are already theorizing about her next move. Romantic drama? Action thriller? Another horror hit? In true K-pop fashion, Su-min might pull off all three—and look fabulous doing it.
Fan Reactions: Screaming (in a good way)
- “Su-min in a horror movie? Take my money.” – Twitter/X user @staycebae
- “Love to see idols exploring acting. She’s going to SLAY this.” – Redditor in r/kpop
- “The fact that she’s playing a stressed-out student? TOO REAL.” – Instagram fan comment
With the debut just around the corner, Su-min is starting to dominate both fan forums and industry talk. And let’s be honest—watching her in a horror film just became the unexpected highlight of spooky season 2024.
FAQs
What is Su-min’s role in ‘The Whisper Market’?
Su-min plays Su-yeon, a high school student under intense academic pressure. She and her mother turn to a supernatural ‘market’ where they can make ghostly deals to try and secure success—at a horrifying cost.
Is this Su-min’s first acting role?
Yes, ‘The Whisper Market’ marks Su-min’s official acting debut. She plays a psychological horror role that contrasts deeply with the bright image fans know from her STAYC performances.
When does ‘The Whisper Market’ release?
The film premieres in South Korean theaters on July 17, 2024.
