Actress Son Ye-jin (43) made a glamorous return after marriage and childbirth through the new work 'There’s Nothing I Can Do' by master director Park Chan-wook.
On the 23rd, a day before the film's release, we met her at a café in Samcheong-dong. It has been a whopping 7 years since she last appeared on the big screen, as she has mainly been active in dramas.
Son Ye-jin greeted the reporters with a bright and relaxed smile, saying, "I am calmly waiting for the audience's reactions. Fortunately, the ticket sales are high, so my worries have decreased, and I feel at ease."
She continued, "The film has already been shown to various audiences from international film festivals (Venice, Toronto) to the Busan International Film Festival, but so far, it has only been evaluated by critics and cinephiles, so I am most curious about the reactions of general audiences," and added, "I tend not to believe everything I hear from family or close friends. After all, one’s arm can only bend inward," she laughed.
When asked about her husband and fellow actor Hyun Bin's reaction, she replied, "We haven't talked much about it, but he only said good things. I don't believe him too much because he is too much on my side," which brought laughter.
She added, "I usually don't talk much about work with my husband, but I did share the script for this project. Since it was a work by Director Park, I felt an indescribable feeling when I first received the script. My husband's first reaction was, 'It's a black comedy, right?'"
'There’s Nothing I Can Do' (directed by Park Chan-wook) begins when the head of a peaceful family, Mansoo (Lee Byung-hun), receives a notice of unemployment overnight. His struggle to maintain his family's wealth gradually expands into a thriller wrapped in black comedy.
Son Ye-jin plays 'Miri', who struggles to support her husband and family, balancing satire and tragedy firmly.
She has created unforgettable, bizarrely charming female characters in works such as 'Oldboy's 'Mido', 'Lady Vengeance's 'Geum-ja', 'Thirst's 'Tae-ju', and 'The Handmaiden's noble lady 'Hideko' and pickpocket orphan 'Sook-hee', as well as 'Decision to Leave's deceased wife 'Seo-rae', but this character is entirely different from those Park's female characters. It is essentially a role that is close to being a supporting character.
When she first received the script, the role of 'Miri' had much less screen time than the final version. "I thought my role was Arra (Yum Hye-ran)," she said, "but many parts were added and changed later, increasing my presence."
“First of all, I wondered if the story itself was really a work by Director Park. My favorite among his works is 'Joint Security Area (JSA)', and I thought he might have returned to that time. (laughs) It was really different from what I expected and my preconceived notions about the director, so I was surprised. Of course, as it went on, I thought, 'Of course.' It seems like a black comedy, but it’s tragic yet strangely funny... It was very intriguing, and I wondered if I was interpreting it correctly. (laughs) My first impression was a dramatic human theater? It felt like a realistic family story.”
She continued, “It’s a character that is realistic yet shows a distorted motherhood in front of her children, trying to protect her family at all costs. She appears to be the most mature and intelligent, but when her child goes wrong, she shows a destructive motherhood and a distorted side. The wounds of family members that begin with 'unemployment' and their hidden intimate sides are all revealed.”
Having worked with Director Park for the first time in this film, she said, “I was surprised by the director's detailed direction, as rumored.”
“His perspective on the actors' performances and the overall film is really sharp and broad. What he wants is clear, but from the actor's perspective, it’s very complicated. Honestly, I was quite flustered at first.”
Son Ye-jin shared, “I have my own unique tone, tendencies, and habits, but he immediately broke that and gave me a different direction. It was very specific and clear, leaving no room to hide,” and added, “It was tense, difficult, and bewildering. I kept making mistakes, and I was confused and panicked. That was the worst during the first shoot.”
She continued, “As time went on, I adapted to the set, and it became more fun. Even the amazing actors were sweating and following the director's demands, so I couldn't dare to rebel,” and said, “After watching the film, I felt that the director was even more amazing. Every time I watch the work, that feeling grows stronger.”
The topic of 'unemployment' also came up. It was a question about how much she, who has paved a solid path as a top star her whole life, could empathize with this tragedy and sad reality.
Son Ye-jin said, “I have never been unemployed, but honestly, I never know when I might be unemployed.”
She expressed, “In our country, especially, the moral standards for (celebrities) are high, and those standards are strict, so I think it has become a habit to always be cautious and careful. If I deviate even a little morally or commit any illegal act, I could be unemployed the next day. I think I have lived with that anxious feeling for over 20 years.”
She added, “Everyone's situation is different, but I don't think anyone can say, 'If I just work hard, I can do this job forever.' Just like Mansoo wasn't unemployed because he lacked ability. There are so many variables in the world that the anxiety of (unemployment) seems to exist for everyone.”
“At any moment, a mistake can happen, and it can grow uncontrollably in this profession. I always think, 'I must not make mistakes anywhere,' 'I must not do anything bad,' 'I must be careful.' The reality of the industry is tough, and my situation doesn't allow me to focus solely on work, so I also feel anxious.”
Finally, a bonus question about 'Hyun Bin' came up. They asked if she would be willing to work together for a third time after 'Negotiation' and 'Crash Landing on You.'
Son Ye-jin showcased her characteristic candid and cheerful demeanor as she replied.
“I definitely have the intention, but I don’t know about the other person. (laughs) The previous work 'Crash Landing on You' received such great love, and it contained beautiful moments that couldn't be better, so I would like to meet in a different genre rather than a melodrama. Comedy? That sounds like it would be so much fun! Haha!”
