SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- Korean actors Lee Jung-eun and Park So-dam, who starred together in the Oscar-winning "Parasite" (2019), have reunited as mother and daughter in the upcoming Korean film "The Journey to Gyeong-ju."

Lee portrays Ok-sil, a grieving mother struggling to come to terms with the death of her youngest daughter, Gyeong-ju, who dies during a school trip to the southeastern city of the same name. Park plays Yeong-joo, her second-eldest daughter who helps her mother plot revenge against the man behind her sister's death.

Kong Hyo-jin and Lee Yeon play the respective roles of Jang-ju and Dong-ju -- Ok-sil's eldest and third-eldest daughters -- in director Kim Mi-jo's family drama that follows Ok-sil and her three surviving daughters as they head to Gyeongju to seek revenge.

Actors Kong Hyo-jin, Lee Jung-eun, Lee Yeon and Park So-dam (from L to R) pose for a photo during a press conference for the upcoming film "The Journey to Gyeong-ju" in Seoul on July 27, 2026. (Yonhap)

"In 'Parasite,' So-dam always looked as if she wanted to throw me out every chance she got," Lee Jung-eun jokingly said at a press conference Monday, recalling her role as a housekeeper who is forced to leave her workplace as Park and her impoverished family plot to take over the home of a wealthy family.

"I had always wanted to work with her again, and she became my second daughter, whom I share a deep bond with ... it feels very special."

Park expressed gratitude to Lee for supporting her both on and off the set.

"She really helped me a lot when I was recovering. She was like a real mother, who I could truly open up to and who came to listen to me in the middle of the night when I was going through a tough time," said Park, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2021.

"Reuniting as mother and daughter, after sharing all those moments, was wonderful," Park added. "Yeong-joo clashes with her mother more than anyone else in the film, but those conflicts come from the deep love they share."

"The Journey to Gyeong-ju" marks Lee's second collaboration with Kong, who appeared as her daughter in the rom-com drama "When the Camellia Blooms" (2019).

Director Kim Mi-jo poses during a press conference for her upcoming film, "The Journey to Gyeong-ju," in Seoul on July 27, 2026. (Yonhap)

Kim, who grew up as the youngest of four daughters, said she wanted to portray the unique dynamics among sisters, as well as their relationship with their mother.

But at its core, she said, "The Journey to Gyeong-ju" is a film about love.

"It portrays how those left behind overcome the pain of loss ... and how they come to understand each other," Kim said. "But ultimately, it is a film about deep love. It is a story that will resonate with anyone who has someone they love."

Kong said the film will go beyond what audiences expect.

"Whatever you expect, I hope you come to the theater, believing that it will be different."

"The Journey to Gyeong-ju" is set for release Aug. 26.

This image, provided by Lotte Entertainment, shows a poster for the upcoming Korean film "The Journey to Gyeong-ju." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)