Ryujin’s Film Debut: Story, Facts & Fan Reactions!

ITZY’s Ryujin makes her film debut in Night on Earth.
The award-winning project shows her new side as an actress.
Fans celebrate as Yeji praises her hard work and passion.

ITZY’s Ryujin is opening a brand-new chapter in her career as she takes on her first leading role in the indie film “Night on Earth.” The news sent fans into a frenzy, with many expressing disbelief and joy that they were finally getting to see her acting talent, something they had only glimpsed before in music videos and variety shows. Social media was flooded with messages of excitement and gratitude, with fans saying things like “we finally won!” and praising her dedication for balancing both comeback preparations and filming duties.

Ryujin’s journey to this point has been quite remarkable. She first gained public attention through the survival show Mix Nine (2017), where she ranked first in the female category before debuting with ITZY in 2019. During her trainee days, she made a brief appearance in Han Jae Rim’s film The King. Though it was a minor role, the experience sparked her interest in acting. Actor Jo In Sung also gave her encouraging words that helped her gain confidence. Now, five years after her official debut, Ryujin is finally stepping into the spotlight to showcase her skills as a full-fledged actress.

Details and Uniqueness of “Night on Earth”

The film “Night on Earth” is directed by Jung Soo Hyun and adapted from a short story by Im Sun Woo. Set in a dystopian world thrown into chaos by the appearance of mutant jellyfish, it explores the emotional emptiness of modern society. The story follows Soo, a young man who isolates himself in a bathtub out of frustration with life, until he slowly rediscovers meaning through encounters at an illegal clinic called Manbok Pension.

Ryujin plays Kang, a loyal employee and the right-hand woman of the clinic’s owner, Hee Jo (played by Park Yu Rim). Her character is described as tomboyish but warm-hearted, an image that contrasts sharply with her glamorous idol persona, offering a refreshing new side of her acting range. The cast also includes Kim Dan as Soo, Kim Gook Hee, and Kim Si A, promising a strong cross-generational dynamic and emotional depth.

Interestingly, the project had already drawn attention even before production began. The screenplay won the BH Entertainment Award at the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival, a recognition given to stories with outstanding potential and direction. Following that achievement, the film went into full-scale production and reportedly completed filming in October. Director Jung Soo Hyun stated that he wanted to depict “a youth who rediscovers human warmth through encounters with strangers after feeling disconnected from the world.” Currently in post-production, Night on Earth is targeting both domestic and international film festivals before its theatrical release. Ryujin’s participation not only raises anticipation but also strengthens the presence of young voices in Korean cinema.

Once the news broke, fans flooded X (formerly Twitter) with emotional reactions:

“OH MY GOD WE WON!!! 😭🔥”

“How can she manage everything all at once? She’s really admirable.”

“Omg is this real?!!!!!! 😭😭😍😍”

“AAAAA I’M GONNA CRY I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT OMGGGG.”

“She actually did acting before debut, so this isn’t her first time.”

“I’m crying, I’m so happy, this is what she deserves, debuting as a lead actress!! After years of people noticing her acting skills in small scenes, she can finally show them off.”

“Pretty sure it’s a movie, not a drama series.”

“我妈妈要演戏了 😭 (My mom’s going to act!)”

“How did I know it was gonna be apocalypse genre?!”

Meanwhile, ITZY’s leader Yeji proudly shared a message through KakaoTalk to celebrate Ryujin’s acting debut. In her post, Yeji wrote:

“Ryujin acting debut!!!!! Yay! Everyone look forward to it, she really worked super hard while filming ㅠ The life of an actor has no day or night… Preparing it alongside the comeback was even tougher.”

Yeji’s heartfelt words reflected her pride and support for her fellow member, while also revealing just how demanding the process had been behind the scenes. Fans admired the friendship between the members and Ryujin’s tireless effort to take on both roles as singer and actress. Her journey has now become a symbol of growth, passion, and perseverance, proof that she’s ready to shine beyond the stage.

Source: Starnews, Pannchoa, Soompi