What distinguishes a budding actor in Korea’s cutthroat entertainment landscape? How does a young star, appreciated for his powerful K-drama performances, prepare to transition to the big screen for the first time?
And ultimately, what can viewers expect when a new actor shares a scene with established entertainers in a nail-biting crime thriller?
This is the scope of curiosity around Park Yoon-ho, one of the most recent-high-profile rookie actors to speak about. After breaking through with star-making performances in critically acclaimed dramas like Night Has Come, Study Group, and Our Unwritten Seoul, Yoon-ho is set to make his leap into cinema.
His official debut film will be the upcoming crime film “Land“, directed by Han Dong-wook.
About the Film “Land”
“Land,” directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Han Dong-wook, is being called one of the most anticipated crime thrillers of 2025. Han is known for films such as The Worst of Evil, New World, and Nameless Gangster: Rules of Time, and is expected to deliver raw storytelling and compelling character-driven drama.
Set in a deserted mining town that has since turned into a casino craze, life is a perpetual struggle in this oppressive environment. Three women collide with a bold idea to rob a house. What begins as a flimsy plan begins to take on unexpected turns and perilous stakes.
“Land” has the promise of a female-driven heist, palpable tension, and an emotionally charged story. “Land” should keep audiences tightly wound.
Main Cast & Characters
- Yeom Jung Ah as Hwa Sook: As the oldest of the group, Hwa Sook is at a juncture in life, bearing the burden of all that has happened to her, however she becomes the catalyst for the heist plan.
- Cha Joo Young as Chun Ja: Fun-loving and loyal to a fault, Chun Ja is deeply entrenched in the world of casinos and gambling – her love for the risk ultimately becomes a factor that tests her loyalty to the group.
- Kim Hye Yoon as Do Yeon: The youngest member of the group and a bank teller, her experience gives her significant currency within the group; however, her inexperience ultimately matches her naivete in the choices ahead of her.
- Park Yoon-ho as Tae-gu: Making his film debut, Tae-gu plays the world son to Hwa Sook (Yeom Jung Ah) and Jin-seok (Park Sung-woong). In debt and facing a huge amount of stress, Tae-gu is a person of action, but his choices will have repercussions with the heist’s outcome and bind the ongoing story of the veteran actors and the up-and-coming generation.
Park Yoon-ho’s Acting Journey
In 2023, Park Yoon-ho made a big splash in the entertainment industry with his debut survival thriller drama “Night Has Come,” earning praise for his moving and unforgettable performance.
In 2025, he rode the wave of momentum from several television projects, including tvN’s “Our Unwritten Seoul” with Park Bo Young, and GOT7’s Park Jin Young, which is arguably where he impressed audiences. He also portrayed a conflicted twin brother in TVING’s “Study Group,” followed by Netflix’s “Trigger,” where he portrayed a high school student facing school violence.
Park Yoon-ho has created a name for himself in a short time citing versatility in his emotional performances, and many believe he has made a reputation for accepting varied roles and recreating himself in every role he is involved with. So it seems as though any time is a good or exciting time for his impending film debut.
Director & Production Team
“Land” is directed by Han Dong-wook, a director that is known for crime dramas and thrillers. He has previously directed Man in Love, New World’s and the Worst of Evil.
Reports from the industry confirmed that the script read-through has happened and filming will be starting soon. Many production and studio details are still under wraps, although Han Dong-wook has a terrific pedigree as a director and is working with a stellar cast of veteran actors, which has generated much hype already.
What Makes This Debut Significant
Park Yoon-ho’s shift from television to cinema is a big step that will play out on screen; fans and critics alike are watching closely. In his role as Tae-gu, he can delve into a story that is less about youth and schools and more about adult choices and consequences.
Equally interesting is the female heist story — which is almost unheard of in Korean cinema — uses “Land” to put forth a different take on the established framework of crime dramas, and with three outstanding women Yeom Jung Ah, Cha Joo Young, and Kim Hye Yoon holding up the brunt of the story, Park Yoon-ho’s character serves as an anchor to their struggle that directly links the women and the themes of the story.
This may be the start of a significant change in Park Yoon-ho’s career as this film can show he is ready to move on to bigger responsibilities to face bigger audiences.
Current Status: What We Know & What We Don’t
In terms of details about “Land”, there are already many known facts. “Land” is being directed by Han Dong-wook with an impressive cast featuring Yeom Jung Ah, Cha Joo Young, Kim Hye Yoon, Park Sung Woong, and a new face, Park Yoon-ho. The story revolves around “three women attempting to rob a bank in a bankrupt mining town” and Yoon-ho plays Tae-gu who is described as a young man in debt who is tied to the robbery by his parents.
However, there are still many unknowns. The release date has not yet been released, and a complete list of supporting cast has not yet been disclosed. Similarly, it seems that a script reading has taken place, but there has been no mention if shooting has begun or when things will take place and we do not have any details on how the central event of the story (the bank robbery) will play out at this moment.
With information that can still be confirmed and situations yet to be confirmed, it has intensified excitement towards “Land” in a time when fans or industry observers are forced to fragment the waiting of some of the most exciting crime films for audiences awaiting to be announced.
Speculations & Expectations
With “Land” serving as his first major Film role, many people are interested to see how Park Yoon-ho’s screen presence will transition from the small screen to the big screen. He has shown on television that he can carry complex and emotionally rich characters. Film offers a different level of intensity and depth. Depending on his performance in “Land”, he could secure his place as a versatile performer capable of leading roles in both mediums.
Looking at the bigger picture, this movie has very good box office potential. It has an experienced cast, a female-led heist narrative, and their director has experience with crime dramas. “Land” would likely appeal to mainstream audiences as well as people who watch character driven suspenseful thrillers. If this film can capture the same entrancing energy of Han Dong-wook’s other films, then the movie could create a ton of buzz both domestically and abroad.
For Park Yoon-ho, this debut is much more than a role. It could be the beginning of an exciting career in film. This could open opportunities to participate in divergent film roles, increase his exposure beyond K-drama audiences, and position him as one of the next generation of talented Korean film actors.
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
Final Word
“Land” is clearly shaping up to be a significant stepping stone for Park Yoon-ho, heralding his long-awaited transition from the small screen to the big screen. With its engaging premise, superstar cast, and successful vision from director Han Dong-wook, “Land” has all the assurances of making a solid crime thriller.
For fans, the biggest anticipation surrounds how Park Yoon-ho will approach his first filmic role — and then later down the line, how his character Tae-gu’s decision in the daring heist would affect the outcome of events for the story.
The female-centric storyline even adds a new twist to the genre, making “Land” even more interesting.
While an official release date hasn’t been made public, excitement continues to rise with this project. With production moving forward, excitement for “Land” is expected to build as audiences await a fresh take on suspense, emotion, and transformation.
