We had an insightful conversation with Taegyun Noh, the creative force behind Return, which begins streaming on Terafty on September 19th. He spoke about his journey from acting to directing, revealing how he infuses emotion and depth into his films. With Return starting to make waves, Taegyun is a filmmaker to watch in Korea.
You started as an actor, so what led you to direct a film yourself?
Actually, this is something no one knows—none of the production crew knows this—but before I directed Return, I was in a period where I was questioning whether I could continue acting and working in the film industry. I had the usual concerns—financial stability, the realities of life, and an uncertain future.
So, I decided to create something I truly love: a film, thinking it might be the last project of my life. I invested my own funds in it, with the mindset that even if it didn’t work out, I could walk away without any regrets, having made a film as both an actor and a director. And as you can see, now I’m enjoying not only being an actor but also a director. I’ve fallen even more in love with film and am working harder than ever.
What new insights did you gain about film through directing?
There’s a saying that creating a film or any work is like building a small house, and I felt that very strongly. As an actor, I usually had small roles or appeared in just one or two scenes, rather than playing the lead. Back then, I was mainly focused on my acting and how to make myself stand out in that moment.
But directing made me realize how much the director wants from the actor, and how important and precious every single scene is in the making of a film. I also felt endlessly sorry and grateful to the actors and staff who went through so much for me, especially as a first-time director. I’m not sure if I can make a great film or a better world myself, but I’ve come to realize that good people make good films. And perhaps… it’s these good people who create a better world?
What did you focus on the most when casting the lead actors?
The casting of the lead actor wasn’t something that happened after the script was fully completed. While I was writing the script, I happened to meet Sungjun Jo, the actor who plays “Hwan,” through an introduction from a friend at a drinking gathering. That night, while talking and drinking, I saw in Sungjun the traits of the character “Hwan,” who hadn’t yet fully formed in my mind.
There’s actually a backstory to Hwan, though you don’t see it in the final cut. For that, I needed a character who could embody both good and evil, sadness and anger all at once. And that night, I saw two strong contrasting sides in Sungjun’s personality. I think that’s something I wouldn’t have discovered through a traditional audition, where it’s hard to see the raw, authentic side of someone. Talking to him and seeing his true self in that setting was key. If the opportunity arises, it would be great to explore the backstory.
Were there any specific directorial elements you focused on, considering the genre?
The genre is a mix of drama and thriller, so I spent a lot of time studying and researching the elements of a thriller, looking for references. I tried not to lose the sense of realism, even while balancing between reality and something more surreal. This is something that someone might truly experience—fear and trauma. Since this was my first time directing, I made an effort to follow the traditional steps carefully and steadily, without trying to take shortcuts.
I particularly focused on portraying the scars and trauma left by school violence, rather than the violence itself. I spent a lot of time thinking about how to depict the lingering remnants of school violence in a way that is unsettling, terrifying, strange, and discomforting. Throughout the process, I kept in mind how the unpleasant experiences Hwan endures in the present are meant to represent the long-lasting suffering of school violence.
Do you have any memorable or funny episodes from the filming process?
Honestly, every moment is memorable for me. There wasn’t a dull moment, a time without problems, or a moment where I wasn’t tense. After the filming wrapped, I thought to myself that this was the most impactful moment of my life.
But if I had to pick just one, I’d say I’ll never forget the very first action of the first take, on the first roll, in my first film as a first-time director—that moment will stay with me forever. Oh, and our shoot was during a really cold winter. Right next to our outdoor shoot location, there was a restaurant called “Jeongga-ne” that serves amazing spicy catfish stew. If you ever film near there, you must go—it’s unforgettable.
What message do you hope to convey to the audience through this film?
What I wanted to address through this film isn’t school violence itself, but the permanent pain, scars, and trauma it leaves behind. Many films portray school violence in terms of revenge, brutality, or cruelty, but I think short films and independent films are compelling because they can explore perspectives that aren’t typically seen in commercial films or dramas.
That’s why I wanted to approach the cruelty of school violence from a different angle. I believe that stories told from various perspectives can ultimately achieve a greater goal. I, too, wanted to deliver a small, albeit imperfect, but necessary message about the importance of ending school violence.
What type of films do you want to create in the future?
As both an actor and a director, I find myself drawn to the thriller, drama, crime, and noir genres. I’m genuinely interested in those genres.
As for the future? Well, saying ‘as a director’ still feels a bit awkward to me, but if I were to work on another project, I think it would probably be another dark film. Rather than thinking about what type of movie I want to make, I think it’s more about whether there’s a perspective I want to explore or a message I want to convey through a film. If that’s the case, I’ll likely work on another project.
Through this experience, I realized how fascinating and interesting life can be. As both a director and an actor, I hope to continue showing you my best as ‘Taegyun Noh’.
Terafty 
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