K-Pop sensation Choi Soo-young, widely recognized as Sooyoung from the iconic group Girls’ Generation, is set to make her mark in the action-packed world of the John Wick universe alongside Keanu Reeves. She joins the cast of the upcoming film Ballerina, where she will play the character Katla Park.
This news comes alongside the release of exclusive character posters and descriptions, offering a deeper look into the film set between the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4.
While the focus has largely been on Ana de Armas’s lead character, Eve Macarro, these new details shine a light on the supporting cast, including Sooyoung’s role. The official character description for Katla Park reveals her connection to the Ruska Roma: “The daughter of the Ruska Roma’s colleague Il Seong. Eve’s first field mission is to protect Katla Park at the lavish Minus Eleven club.” This suggests that Sooyoung’s character will be integral to Eve’s initial journey as a lethal assassin seeking revenge for her father’s murder.
The film’s premise centers on Eve, orphaned and trained in combat at the Ruska Roma Ballet School, a front for an assassin training ground led by The Director (Anjelica Huston). Eve’s quest for vengeance will see her cross paths with familiar faces like John Wick (Keanu Reeves) and Winston (Ian McShane), as well as new, mysterious figures like Daniel Pine (Norman Reedus) and the brutal Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne).
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Ballerina marks a departure for the franchise as it’s the first film not directed by Chad Stahelski, with Len Wiseman (Underworld series, Live Free or Die Hard) taking the helm. However, the film promises to expand the rich lore of the John Wick world, and the inclusion of a major K-Pop star like Sooyoung adds an exciting dimension for fans of both the franchise and Korean entertainment.
With its theatrical release slated for June 6th, Ballerina is shaping up to be an action-packed entry into the John Wick saga, and the addition of Girls’ Generation’s Sooyoung in a key role is sure to generate even more buzz.