Ja Wan Koo's score to The Villainess is released via Silva Screen Records on CD and vinyl for the first time. When the movie was originally released in 2017, the soundtrack was available only as a digital album. The story follows a complex female character with a shady back story. Since she was a little girl, Sook-hee was brought up to become a deadly assassin. She gets a second chance in life when South Korea’s Intelligence Agency’s Chief Kwon recruits her to become a sleeper cell. Her new identity is Chae Yeon-soo, 27 years old, theatre actress. With a promise of complete freedom after serving the country for 10 years, Sook-hee begins a new life...

The score for The Villainess is atmospheric and extremely engaging. It's certainly a huge part of the movie, giving the action sequences an extra adrenaline rush, while helping to set the right tone for the suspense elements. But does it work as as a standalone collection of music on its own right?

Well, yes and no. There's no arguing whether it's suspenseful, and if you're a fan of this sort of score then you'll find much to enjoy here. But those looking for engaging themes may find it a little lacking in any real substance. 'Act' is one of the highlights here, and probably one of the only real theme based pieces, along with 'Truth Behind' and 'If Only'.

These 21 tracks (1 hr) are deep and richly rewarding, but there's very few real themes to speak of, just an interesting collection atmospheric music.

7

Darren Rea