The film is widely recognized for launching the career of , who beat out 1,500 other aspirants for the lead role. Her performance is a masterclass in duality, seamlessly transitioning from a vulnerable, wide-eyed teenager to a cold and terrifyingly efficient killing machine.
"The Witch Part 1 - The Subversion" is a 2021 South Korean psychological thriller film directed by Park Hyeong-eun and written by Park Hyeong-eun and Lee Jung-yul. The movie is a reimagining of the 2015 film "The Witch: A New England Folklore" by Robert Eggers, but with a different storyline and setting.
For her role, she swept "Best New Actress" awards at major ceremonies, including the Blue Dragon Film Awards and the Grand Bell Awards . the witch part 1 - the subversion
"The Witch: Part 1 - The Subversion" is a 2021 South Korean television series directed by Kim Yong-woo and written by Kim Eun-hee. The series is a reinterpretation of the classic English folklore tale "The Witch" and stars Kim Da-mi, Choi Sung-eun, and Pyo Yeon-seok.
The film is noted for its "post-human" action—super-speed, telekinesis, and brutal hand-to-hand combat that feels weightier and more grounded than typical superhero fare. The film is widely recognized for launching the
On the surface, The Witch: Part 1 – The Subversion begins as a quiet, almost tender drama. A young woman named Ja-yoon lives a peaceful life on a rural farm with her elderly adoptive parents, suffering from memory loss and unexplained bouts of fainting. She helps with the animals, smiles shyly, and seems utterly unremarkable. This gentle facade is the film’s first and most dangerous trick.
The film’s title, "The Witch," is not a reference to magic or the supernatural. Instead, it’s a codename for genetically engineered super-soldiers—children created in a clandestine government program. Ja-yoon is one of them, an escapee from the brutal "Witch" project, where young subjects were injected with a potent psychic serum that grants telekinesis, superhuman strength, accelerated healing, and razor-sharp intellect. The cost? A horrifyingly high mortality rate and, for the survivors, a ticking clock: their bodies will eventually reject the serum, leading to death. The movie is a reimagining of the 2015
The narrative subverts expectations by masterfully shifting genres. The first half is a slow-burn mystery, as Ja-yoon enters a televised talent competition to win prize money for her ailing mother. This seemingly innocent act is her desperate play for survival—but it also broadcasts her face to the very people hunting her.
As the series progresses, it becomes clear that Ja-yoon is not just an ordinary high school student but a powerful witch who has been trained by The Covens to carry out their sinister plans. However, Ja-yoon begins to question her allegiance to The Covens and starts to develop her own sense of self and autonomy.
The film was a massive box office success, attracting over in South Korea alone. Its success paved the way for a broader "Witch Universe," leading to the 2022 sequel, The Witch: Part 2 – The Other One , which expanded the lore of the experimental "Ark" program.
"The Witch: Part 1 - The Subversion" received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike for its unique take on the traditional witch folklore, its exploration of themes, and the performances of the cast. The series was also praised for its dark and suspenseful atmosphere, which sets it apart from other South Korean dramas.