Director JUNG Hyungsuk, winner of the Grand Prize in the Korean Competition of the 19th JEONJU IFF with The Land of Seonghye, returns with Persona a strange girl, a film that explores the preconception that defines a person. The story follows Hyelee, presumably a Seoul National University (SNU)’s Department of Computer Engineering graduate, as she joins a theatrical troupe to prepare for a new production. Despite being considered strange by her colleagues, her sharp wit earns her recognition as expected from SNU, and Haeyoung, the head of the troupe and director, admires Hyelee’s passionate attitude. However, when rumors about her academic background begin to spread, attitudes toward her change quickly. What is essential in this film is not who the girl is. Hyelee meets a veteran actor Eunjung and explains her desire to become a different person and live a different life through acting. Eunjung advises her not to lose her true self. The film offers a scathing critique of our tendency to prioritize non-essential things, such as one’s background, over a person’s true essence, such as Hyelee’s acting ability. (MOON Seok)