(Yonhap, The Star)

Actresses Bae Suzy and Park Bo-young’s “Sound of a Flower” and “You Call It Passion” have been concurrently released Wednesday, spiking industry watchers’ curiosity as to which film will come out winner in the head-to-head clash.

Suzy, originally a K-pop singer, expanded her career into acting three years ago, playing a teenage version of the lead role in film “Architecture 101.” In “Sound of a Flower,” she will transform into Jin Chae-sun, the first female pansori singer in Korean history.

(CJ Entertainment)

Pansori, Korean narrative folk singing, was forbidden to women in the year 1867 -- during the Joseon Dynasty -- when the movie is set.

Historic pansori chanteuse Jin Chae-sun pioneered against social odds to pursue her passion for singing, even risking her life by posing as a man.

Suzy is said to have practiced pansori for nearly a year to successfully pull off the role as Jin.

Park Bo-young, a 25-year-old with solid 9 years’ experience in acting, hails from Chungmuro, the nursery and frontline for Korea’s aspiring movie stars. Park will play a rookie entertainment reporter named Do Ra-hee in “You Call It Passion.”

(NEW)

In the film, Do struggles to adapt to the working life while putting up with bullying from her immediate boss Ha Jae-gwan, played by actor Jung Jae-young. The film’s publicists have promised all Jones will be able to relate to the plotline.

Park had most recently starred in award-winning independent film “Collective Invention.” Her tvN drama “Oh My Ghostess” in August was a surprise hit, changing public perception of cable TV dramas.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)

Related article: Suzy vs. Park Bo-young: Who will win?