Actress Kim Go-eun (34) left a deep impression once again with 'Eun-jung and Sang-yeon'.
The Netflix series 'Eun-jung and Sang-yeon', released on the 12th, depicts the intertwined lives of two friends, Eun-jung and Sang-yeon, who love, admire, envy, and hate each other throughout their lives. Kim Go-eun played the role of Eun-jung and delivered a remarkable performance.
Despite its lengthy 15 episodes, 'Eun-jung and Sang-yeon' has received positive reviews, ranking first on the 'Today’s TOP' Korean chart.
When asked about her feelings after the release, Kim Go-eun said, "Personally, I feel relieved because I think a really good work has come out. Many people around me have watched it and reached out, so it seems I wasn't the only one who thought that way. People around me have told me that I worked hard and thanked me for showing such a piece." She smiled shyly.
Regarding Eun-jung, she said, "Eun-jung is an honest friend who has grown up receiving a lot of love. You can see Eun-jung through her mother. When Sang-yeon asked for a hug, Eun-jung hugged her. Even while questioning her pride, I think that part is similar. Eun-jung mentioned that she didn't bring friends because she was poor in her teens, which is something most people wouldn't mention, so I felt that was Eun-jung."
She continued, "When Eun-jung was young, her feelings for Sang-yeon were filled with admiration and a sense of grandeur. The affection was so great that it must have been heartbreaking to see her fall apart. I think it would have been sad to see such a brilliantly shining child destroy herself. The Eun-jung left in her 40s knows Sang-yeon's feelings and had no choice but to grow up and act that way, and I think it was a friendship that fully accepted each other's stories."
Additionally, she explained, "I don't think it's a proper relationship because it's not a good influence on Eun-jung. Since there is a 10-year gap, I think Eun-jung is accepting Sang-yeon that way. If it were me, I wouldn't have made friends at the cost of eating away at myself."
Kim Go-eun shared her thoughts on playing Eun-jung in her 20s, 30s, and 40s.
She said, "In my early 20s, I thought there would still be a lot of teenage energy left. I recalled my early 20s a lot. There were parts where I was clumsy with emotions, and at that time, I had baby fat and chubby cheeks, so I wanted to convey that feeling. In my 30s, it’s a time when work is most active and social life is vibrant, so depending on the profession, I think my energy, gestures, and tone of voice are influenced by that age. Since Eun-jung is a PD who goes to many sites and coordinates many people, I thought that energy was reflected in Eun-jung."
She continued, "Just because it's the 40s, I didn't want to make a typical choice. From what I see around me, there isn't a big difference externally between being in your 40s and mid-30s. So I thought a lot about the atmosphere and energy. The profession of a writer involves a lot of solitary work, so I focused on a calmer energy while acting."
Kim Go-eun also praised the child actors Do Young-seo and Park Seo-kyung, who led the early episodes, saying, "I was shocked after watching the first two episodes. After it was released, many people around me talked a lot about the child actors' performances. I really think they did an amazing job."
Although it was emotionally challenging, she enjoyed filming 'Eun-jung and Sang-yeon'.
She said, "I filmed 'Eun-jung and Sang-yeon' happily, but when I first received the script, I thought about why it was given to me and what my share was in this. I believe this work tells the story of the Eun-jung who wants to live forever in the story of Sang-yeon who is left behind. So I thought it was a role that could firmly hold the center of the drama and carry it with a long breath."
She added, "On the other hand, Sang-yeon had a wide emotional spectrum and fluctuating feelings. It was filled with deep narratives, so I looked at Park Ji-hyun with the heart of a 40-year-old Eun-jung on set. So I also tried to observe Ji-hyun with Eun-jung's heart. Ji-hyun cared about my appearance and looked after me. If I looked tired, she would casually give me chocolate or whatever I needed at the time. That kind of chemistry matched well."
Kim Go-eun expressed that she wants to learn through feelings of envy rather than jealousy.
She confessed, "Rather than feeling jealous or envious, I try to learn with a feeling of envy. I think there were moments when I felt jealous and envious too. But instead of accepting those feelings that way, I try to change my mindset to see the admirable aspects of that person and learn from them."
'Eun-jung and Sang-yeon' deals with the theme of assisted dying. Eun-jung accompanies Sang-yeon, who is terminally ill.
In this regard, Kim Go-eun said, "I thought the narrative we need to build is important. So I hoped to portray it with a sense of responsibility. During the filming, I was cautious with every step. Rather than feeling burdened, I tried to approach it carefully with the hope that it would be well received."
She continued, "I think assisted dying is a personal choice. Since I haven't experienced that pain, I can't say much about it. But if someone close to me were to make that choice and ask if I would accompany them, I think I would."
Kim Go-eun expressed her affection for 'Eun-jung and Sang-yeon'.
She said, "I cherish every work, but there are moments when I feel sad for works that don't get the spotlight. I learn a lot from that. When everyone loves a work or it gets recognized artistically, the sense of fulfillment and pride is great."
She continued, "It's amazing that I got to work on this project, but before I became an actress, there are experiences in my life. This work has allowed me to express the emotions I experience during my personal period very accurately. It was amazing to have a work where I could express the emotions I experienced, and I was glad that I could express them correctly. Personally, I had a strong desire for this work to be well made. After seeing the results, it became a work that remains in my heart. I think it’s a work that will feel like a unique connection even when I look back on it as I get older."
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
