Actress Lee Jung-eun shared her thoughts and behind-the-scenes insights about her appearance in ‘Lighting Store’.
Lee Jung-eun showcased her overwhelming presence in the Disney Plus series ‘Lighting Store’, which was released in December last year, perfectly expressing a range of emotions through her gaze and body language.
‘Lighting Store’ depicts a story where the living and the dead intersect through a shop selling lights at the end of a dark alley. The original webtoon was created by Kang Pool, who also contributed to the script, and it garnered attention as the first directorial work of actor Kim Hee-won.
Lee Jung-eun played the role of Yoo-hee, who died in a car accident while taking a bus with her daughter but refuses to accept her death and struggles to send her daughter Hyun-joo (Shin Eun-soo) back to the real world. She portrayed a character who cannot speak or hear due to cotton placed in her mouth and ears during the funeral, expressing her emotions in a heartfelt and poignant manner, leaving a deep impression on the viewers.
In a scene where she meets her father Won-young (Joo Ji-hoon), who went to the afterlife first, she evokes tears through her expressions and gestures as she tries to convey her existence, once again demonstrating her strength as a trusted actress.
Lee Jung-eun expressed through her agency, “I was happy to be part of director Kim Hee-won's first directorial work as a colleague, and I am grateful for the time spent showing viewers a unique piece.” She praised the collaboration with actor-director Kim Hee-won, stating, “There was almost no wasted time, and it was an amazing experience in that we didn’t waste emotions.”
Known for her acting skills in films like ‘Parasite’ (2019) and dramas like ‘Our Blues’ (2022), Lee Jung-eun continues to receive acclaim for her meaningful performances, showcasing her charm in ‘Day and Night’ (2024) and dense charisma in ‘In the Empty Forest’ (2024).
When asked about her aspirations as an actress, she humbly replied, “Just as we are different every day, I try to reflect that in my work, and I hope the viewers will judge that. However, even if I play similar roles, I try to interpret them differently and blend in.”
‘Lighting Store’ Lee Jung-eun Q&A
- You received a lot of love. What are your thoughts on being part of this work as an actress?
▶ I was happy to be part of director Kim Hee-won's first directorial work as a colleague, and I am grateful for the time spent showing viewers a unique piece.
- Your ability to convey emotions without dialogue was impressive. Do you have any personal techniques?
▶ If my emotions were conveyed through something other than language, I would consider it a blessing. I think it was possible due to the collaboration with the director, my colleagues, co-actors Shin Eun-soo, Joo Ji-hoon, Park Hyuk-kwon, and the makeup team who prepared the cotton that stayed in my mouth.
- What was it like working with director Kim Hee-won, who is also an actor?
▶ It was hard to believe it was his first directorial work because he planned everything with the staff and completed rehearsals before calling the actors. It was an amazing experience with almost no wasted time and minimal emotional waste, and as he is also an actor, his collaboration was a great support.
- Through this work, viewers might have imagined the vague afterlife. What is your interpretation as an actress, and what are the key points to watch in this work?
▶ I enjoy discovering the hidden stories of characters I didn’t know about, both as an actress and a viewer. It can be comforting, and it evokes empathy and shock. Our imagination is limitless, and when we encounter unexpected emotions, we forget that we are watching a play and become enchanted. I think this is the charm of ‘Lighting Store’.
- It is often said that you approach viewers with a different feeling in each work. Do you have any aspirations as an actress?
▶ Honestly, where would Lee Jung-eun go? (laughs) Just as we are different every day, I try to reflect that in my acting, and I hope the viewers will judge that. However, even if I play similar roles, I try to interpret them differently with subtle differences.
