Actor Woo Dabi (25) made a mark on viewers through ‘Jeongnyeon-i’.
tvN's weekend drama ‘Jeongnyeon-i’ depicts the journey of Yoon Jeongnyeon (played by Kim Tae-ri), who joins the top female traditional Korean opera troupe, Maeran, after the Korean War in the 1950s, as she competes and collaborates to become the best traditional opera actress. The show ended on the 17th of last month, recording a nationwide average rating of 16.5% (according to Nielsen Korea).
In an interview after the finale, Woo Dabi expressed her gratitude, saying, “It was a work that I prepared with great care, and I am just thankful that many people recognized and loved it. I am having happy days.”
Woo Dabi played the role of Hong Joo-ran, Jeongnyeon’s best friend. She is an introverted and timid character but is the one who cherishes and supports Jeongnyeon the most. Woo Dabi was cast in the role of Joo-ran through auditions.
Woo Dabi said, “When I heard about the audition, I binge-read the webtoon. I heard that other actors my age received the script for Joo-ran and auditioned. I auditioned about four times before being selected.” She added, “I once asked Director Jeong Ji-in why I was cast. Without any other explanation, he said, ‘I saw Joo-ran in you.’ That one sentence gave me confidence and courage.”
As soon as she was cast in ‘Jeongnyeon-i’, Woo Dabi began practicing pansori (traditional Korean singing) and dance. She said, “Including the filming period, I received lessons for a little over a year while creating the stage. I approached it with the mindset of preparing for a premiere performance. Kim Tae-ri was at the center of that atmosphere. She is a passionate actress who created a great environment.” She added, “Since we were challenging a genre that we hadn’t done before, everyone felt the need to do well.”
‘Jeongnyeon-i’ surpassed a 10% rating in just four episodes and recorded its highest rating of 16.5% before concluding. Additionally, it ranked first in the TV-OTT comprehensive topicality for six consecutive weeks, according to the Good Data Corporation, which analyzes the competitiveness of K-content.
Woo Dabi mentioned, “Many people around me watched it closely. They said it was particularly fun. Some told me, ‘I would have watched it even if you weren’t in it,’ which made me think, ‘Our drama really turned out to be enjoyable.’” She continued, “I had mostly played aloof roles until now, but in ‘Jeongnyeon-i’, I took on an angelic character. I received compliments like, ‘Finally, you’re appearing in a drama with a kind face.’”
The character Hong Joo-ran, played by Woo Dabi, is deeply connected to Kim Tae-ri’s role as Yoon Jeongnyeon. What was the chemistry like between the two?
Woo Dabi said, “She had to pay attention to many things, including singing, dancing, acting, and dialect, but she also took care of our chemistry without missing anything. Those moments helped me a lot. Seeing her practice tirelessly on set made me think that I shouldn’t be a burden, and it motivated me to work hard.” She added, “Kim Tae-ri is truly a perfect actress. I leaned on her a lot for acting, and whenever I had questions, I would run to her. She helped me improve so that I could do better. I am just grateful.”
Through ‘Jeongnyeon-i’, Woo Dabi showed significant growth with her multidimensional character portrayal, making a lasting impression. What kind of work will ‘Jeongnyeon-i’ remain for her?
Woo Dabi reflected, “‘Jeongnyeon-i’ is a work that brought about a big change. I feel like it encapsulates my 25 and 26 years. It’s meaningful to have challenged a special genre and to have taken on a new character.” She added, “Looking back at my acting life, I think it will leave a significant footprint.”
Having debuted in the 2019 web drama ‘Triple Sum 2’, Woo Dabi has now entered her sixth year since her debut. She said, “I don’t have a next project yet. I think I might meet viewers with a different side of myself around next year.” She added, “When I monitor my acting, I want to become an actress who can be satisfied with myself. I believe that when I reach a certain level, I will be able to praise my own acting. I plan to continuously move toward that level.”
[Shin Young-eun, Star Today Reporter]
