PYO YE-JIN 'NOT AFRAID TO LOOK SILLY' IN KDRAMA 'DREAMING OF A FREAKING FAIRY TALE'
| ▲ This photo provided by TVING on July 2, 2024, shows Korean actress Pyo Ye-jin. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- "I wasn't afraid to look silly at all. The script was so fun that I was worried I might not do it justice," said actress Pyo Ye-jin during an interview held in Seoul on the 2nd.
"I put extra effort into my comedic acting, hoping it would resonate with the audience," she emphasized as she discussed her lead role in the TVING original series "Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale" (hereafter "I Dream").
In "I Dream," Pyo Ye-jin plays Shin Jae-rim, a character who dreams of marrying a wealthy husband to change her fate. This is her first lead role in a romantic comedy. Reflecting on the series' conclusion, Pyo Ye-jin shared, "Romantic comedies have a bright atmosphere, and the filming set was cheerful and fun. I would love to take on another romantic comedy if given the chance."
| ▲ This photo provided by TVING on July 2, 2024, shows Korean actress Pyo Ye-jin. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
She recalled one of the most embarrassing scenes to shoot, where Jae-rim urgently needs to use the bathroom after drinking too much beer at Hangang Park. The male lead, Moon Cha-min (played by Lee Jun-young), carries her to the restroom.
Moon later imagines Jae-rim seductively calling out to him, which Pyo Ye-jin found particularly awkward to film. "In that scene, Jae-rim had to say, 'Oppa, faster,' in a sexy way, and I had no idea how to do it while the camera was zoomed in on my face. It was a very embarrassing moment on set," she admitted.
| ▲ From left: Actors Lee Jun-young, Pyo Ye-jin, director Kim Min-kyung, and actors Song Ji-woo and Kim Hyun-jin pose for photos at the media conference for TVING's original series "Dreaming of a Freaking Fairy Tale" held in Seoul on May 29, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
"I Dream" presented many new challenges for Pyo Ye-jin, not only as her first romantic comedy but also as the first drama directed by Kim Min-kyung, who previously worked on variety shows. The show features unique touches such as captions like "sexy temptation" during provocative expressions and animated effects, reminiscent of variety show techniques. Pyo Ye-jin said, "While filming, I often wondered if I was doing it right, following the director's instructions. But after seeing the edited results, I realized there was a grand vision. If I had known, I would have trusted the director completely and acted more comfortably."
Despite the challenges, Pyo Ye-jin expressed her desire to continue taking on new roles, saying, "I'd like to try playing a villain, a professional, or anything that offers a new challenge." This determination reflects her unconventional path to acting; she is well-known for leaving her job as a flight attendant and persistently submitting her profile to entertainment agencies until she debuted as an actress.
| ▲ This photo provided by TVING on July 2, 2024, shows Korean actress Pyo Ye-jin. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
"I Dream," as its title suggests, shares similarities with the Cinderella fairy tale. Jae-rim's father remarries a woman with two daughters and passes away early, leaving Jae-rim to live with her stepmother and stepsisters. Unlike the fairy tale, however, the stepmother and stepsisters in the drama are warm characters who genuinely care for Jae-rim. "The part I liked the most about the script was this difference. Despite their warmth, Jae-rim, who had never experienced love, struggled to accept it, and watching her learn to embrace love brought tears to my eyes," Pyo Ye-jin said.
The biggest difference between the fairy tale and "I Dream" is the ending. While Cinderella ends with a marriage to a prince, "I Dream" concludes with Jae-rim finding love with Moon Cha-min and discovering her own dreams. Pyo Ye-jin said, "In the final scene, Jae-rim's narration says, 'I am the protagonist of my life.' I loved the story of a character who initially seeks to live well by meeting the right man but grows into someone who takes care of herself, her family, and her love."
Pyo Ye-jin added, "I think 'I Dream' carries a message about loving yourself and living as the protagonist of your own life rather than relying on others. There's a line in the drama that says, 'I’ve decided to live as a knight in shining armor,' and I really liked that expression."
| ▲ This photo provided by TVING on July 2, 2024, shows Korean actress Pyo Ye-jin. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |