Jun Ji-hyun (OSEN)

Korean actress Jun Ji-hyun said she found shooting guns “stress-relieving” at a press call for an upcoming film “Assassination,” Monday.

“I concentrated on practicing shooting because ... I thought it has to be natural for a sniper,” said Jun, who plays a freedom fighter and sniper in the action film.

Jun said that at the beginning, it was “extremely awkward” and “unnatural” for her to use guns, but it became more natural for her over time.

“Later, I would go with the mindset ‘I’d better go and shoot some bullets today’ to relieve stress. It became that much more natural for me,” said Jun.

Jun Ji-hyun (OSEN)

The historical action film “Assassination” is set in 1930s Shanghai and Seoul, under Japanese colonial rule.

Jun and male actors Ha Jung-woo and Lee Jung-jae play the main characters, who are coconspirators against the Japanese government, which ruled South Korea until its defeat in World War II.

Jun plays a nationalist sniper, Lee plays a gang leader and Korean provisional government agent, and Ha plays a contract killer.

Jun also said, “It’s hard to find films these days with actresses in central roles,” and that it was an “honor” to work again with director Choi Dong-hun.

Jun previously worked with Choi in the 2012 crime blockbuster “The Thieves,” which he both directed and cowrote.

“Assassination” is slated for release on July 22.

Jun Ji-hyun (center) and costars Ha Jung-woo (left) and Lee Jung-jae (OSEN)

The official poster for "Assassination," which hits Korean theaters on July 22 (Showbox)

By Yoon Sarah (sarah356@heraldcorp.com)

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