Interview with Answer Me 1997’s Jung Eun-ji
by girlfriday
This girl is adorable. I’m pretty sure it’s 99.9% her character in Answer Me 1997 that makes me love Jung Eun-ji so much, but hey, that gruff swear-first-ask-questions-later attitude has to come from somewhere deep within, right? If she weren’t an idol, I’d have put my money on gangster’s daughter, ’cause she’s a badass, and I love it. As of tomorrow it’s curtains on her first project as an actress (WAIL), and in a photo spread and interview with First Look, the 19-year old rookie actress talks about the origin of her thick regional accent, the chemistry on set, and which brother she’d pick if she were Sung Shi-won.
Jung’s greatest asset in the drama is certainly her original Busan accent, because it’s 100% her natural speech, which she purposely never corrected even after moving to Seoul because her agency didn’t strictly require it. She says:
My nickname as a child was ‘elderly kid.’ When I lived in Busan I would just sit next to the neighborhood grandmas as they talked about this and that, and I guess that way of speaking rubbed off on me… I didn’t know it but I had adopted grandma-speak. It’s not the accent normal kids have. Haha.
She says that Shi-won’s drama parents (Sung Dong-il and Lee Il-hwa) were originally supposed to both be from Busan as well, but it was Sung Dong-il who tossed out the idea that Dad should be from Jeollado and Mom from Kyungsangdo, setting up their colorful little southern-province-Romeo-and-Juliet backstory. But after praising him she adds, “But the funny thing is, Sung Dong-il sunbaenim is a Seoul native!” Ha, as if it’s a crime? She sounds just like Shi-won.
She describes the mood on set:
From the director, writer unni, to the cast — they were the best. It was my first drama so I didn’t know. I thought all drama sets had great moods like this, but I heard that that’s not always the case. I’m thankful for meeting a team like this one. It’s because the director led us so well.
When asked whether she ever wanted to be more made-up in the drama, she says that she and Shi-won are similar in their tomboyish ways, and describes the reasoning behind the character:
The Shi-won that I think of doesn’t know how to make herself up. No, it’s that she doesn’t know how lovable she is. If Shi-won thought herself pretty and purposely acted cute, she wouldn’t have been lovable at all. The director said that — that there’s nothing more lovable than a woman who doesn’t know she’s pretty. I didn’t feel the need to be made up. I thought she should be the most natural and innocent and lovable. She was someone who had the love of two men.
That’s just a surprising awareness from a 19-year old newbie. She’s far from a skilled actress, but it’s clear she thinks about character in a meaningful way. I’d say her weakness is lacking more range in her facial expressions, but man can she rattle off pages of dialogue like nobody’s business. She always sounds conversational and natural, and never like she’s reading or memorizing something.
When asked about Yoon-jae vs. Tae-woong and which brother is closest to her ideal type, she said:
I like Yoon-jae’s type. He’s the same age as me but then sometimes seems like an oppa. Sometimes we’re really like two friends, but then we fight like siblings. As of now I think I prefer a person I’m more comfortable with.
About her very natural inclination to always swear at Yoon-jae, and whether she’s similar to Shi-won:
No never! I’m not that aggressive. I mean I have to maintain my A-Pink concept. (Laughs)
The final episode of Answer Me 1997 airs tomorrow on tvN.
Via First Look
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Tags: interviews, Jung Eun-ji, photo shoots
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1 Miss D
September 17, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Now I like her even more!
Love reply 1997. So sad it's about to end TT.TT what will I do with my life????
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Kelinci Biru
September 17, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Yeah, my reaction too.
What would I do without 1997 crack on Tuesday? I'm going to have major withdrawal!! *noi'mnotanaddict*
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pabo ceo reom
September 18, 2012 at 12:04 PM
I'm already in serious denial. I absolutely love this girl. Probably my favorite rookie actress this year :)
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lhyn04
September 17, 2012 at 9:36 PM
same sentiments.
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2 bisco
September 17, 2012 at 10:16 AM
The drama pinned me to her and A Pink even more...She`s cool like that..Love it~
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3 queencircles
September 17, 2012 at 10:17 AM
I love her! So cute.
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4 Fasiris Fay
September 17, 2012 at 10:28 AM
baaah, I am so sad it'll be over tomorrow! She's so cute and natural, love her.
Hope it's a good finale tomorrow!
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5 Iviih :)
September 17, 2012 at 10:28 AM
I love her way before it because I saw her debut's group and every performance she is smiling so briglty! Every single one. And her smile is just so loveable and nice.
I really like her on their show too, Apink news.
I like her tomboyish side.
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Iviih :)
September 17, 2012 at 10:31 AM
*brightly
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hajae
September 17, 2012 at 5:18 PM
I agree completely. She really stood out to me cause of her smile. It made her so loveable in my eyes, but also approachable and it seems like she really enjoys performing on stage. Gotta love that.
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6 john
September 17, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Jung Eun-ji ! Jung Eun-ji !
Squee...
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Mama J
September 17, 2012 at 12:52 PM
ah, John, you're getting to be as cute as uri Ricky!
But I agree. This girl is about as adorable as you can possibly be and I LOVED her portrayal of Shi Won. I really hope she will do more acting because I think she has a strong natural talent that will only continue to improve with experience.
Wouldn't it be fun to see her and Ha Ji Won in something together? Unni/doengseong bickering? Yesssssssss please make it happen.
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ricky trh
September 17, 2012 at 11:01 PM
Joining John in that "squee...."
But I'll add a wiggle too.
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Mama J
September 18, 2012 at 4:26 PM
AH you are the prince!
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7 Ella
September 17, 2012 at 10:47 AM
I think Eunji is really an unsung hero in answer 1997. She made an easily dislikeable character absolutely lovable, she deserves so much more praise than what she's getting for this role (comparatively to the overwhelming response to Seo In-guk's performance).
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Lazy Goose
September 17, 2012 at 2:23 PM
I agree. I'm a straight girl but I can see why 2 men would be in love with Shi Won.
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8 hi-there
September 17, 2012 at 10:50 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcjv7NV5TXg
^ this made me love her instantly. <3 (and then her dorkiness/toughness on APink News XD)
she's definitely one of my favorite-biases from girl idols. :)
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girlatsea
September 17, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Wow, she has a great voice!! I'm only on episode 11 of AM1997, so I've purposely avoided her duet with SJK.
She's so talented!! It's obvious as to why she debuted as a singer first. And as an idol, she's lucky enough to be able to do both.
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9 poppal
September 17, 2012 at 10:58 AM
I definitely think she's got shiwon in her actual personality. I don't keep up with A pink but I do remember in her debut days she was on The Quiz That Changes The World and she got a bit of attention because of her satoori. Long story short, her and Simon D who is also a Busan boy had a bit of a satoori conversation and my god was she spunky! The stuff she was coming out with was so sassy, especially for a newly debuted idol whose girl group was relying on the old kpop style sweet and innocent image.
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10 KStyle
September 17, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Oh Answer Me 1997! Why you leave me :(
I heart Jung Eun-ji. I really didn't know she was an idol and I still can't tell. She is an awesome actress already and I can't wait for her future projects.
Hint hint Idols: This Is How An Acting Debut Should Be, FLAWLESS!
Oh I will miss AM97 so much and yes for TvN for having such awesome shows!!!
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11 Kelinci Biru
September 17, 2012 at 11:43 AM
She's adorable!! A-pink image? Just go and switch to acting, Eunji-ya..
My first impression of her was "Love Day" duet with Yoseob. It was cute and she has some screen presence. Especially their live performance, its really cute. I keep imagining she's singing this song with In Guk.. Do some more duet, will ya?
See, I can't make up my mind. I love both her acting and singing.
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12 Rayanne
September 17, 2012 at 12:00 PM
I m loving all the outfits! Having major outfit-jealousy!Wannnt!
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13 myra
September 17, 2012 at 12:02 PM
it'll end...sad...but what's next?...there's no news anywhere...and i don't think in this case no news is good news :((
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14 Quinze
September 17, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Aww, I love her! I don't follow idol groups but she seems like a rare exception of a personality.
I can just picture her hanging out with the grandmas and picking up grandma-speak. It's adorable!
I loved her character and I hope she acts more!
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15 Chintu
September 17, 2012 at 12:34 PM
i'm not sure if fans of jung eunji will take this as an insult, but her mischievous-smile-expression totally reminds me of goo hye-sun's similar expression and iu's in dh1 and hyorin's in dh2... since there seem to be many anti-fans of goo hyesun these days and iu and hyorin are not really actresses, this might be misconstrued as an insult, but it's actually just an observation because i find all four of them their best at mischievous smiling expressions, which comes naturally to them...
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Mama J
September 17, 2012 at 12:57 PM
No, I see what you are saying. I don't think much of GHS acting although I admire her interest and drive in other areas and think that personally she's probably very interesting and not meant to be pigeonholed in cute roles in front of the camera -
I found IU and Hyorin cute in the DH series. Actually...Hyorin...I wanted to see more from her. Not that she held back but that they didn't do anything much with her. I think she has a different kind of take on the cute/sexy mix than most idolettes and I like her quite a bit. And IU...well, you would pretty much have to hate kittens, puppies, baby chicks, rainbows, chocolate, and gumdrops to hate that kid.
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16 Chintu
September 17, 2012 at 12:52 PM
Off-topic:
did girlfirday, javabeans or any of you watch the original trailer for faith with kang jihwan? It has been posted at koalasplayground.com...
i love the current version of faith airing now, but i have to admit, the concept originally envisioned and conceived does seem more fantastical, action-oriented and adventurous, as what we expected from the current version, whose strength is in the characters, build-up and relationships but not its scale, grandeur or execution... the other one does seem to have it all...
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17 lovepark
September 17, 2012 at 1:03 PM
I was blown away by her portrayal of Shi-won especially since this was her first time acting in a drama. She's not perfect, but she has this natural and alluring charm that really is the solid, rock foundation of the show. The acting all around is wonderful and some are better than others, but, in honesty, if Jung Eun-ji wasn't as good as she is now, the show wouldn't have been as cracktastic or wonderful as it is now. It just goes to show you that all the parts of the production have to blend well and work whether it be directing, writing, acting, music, lighting, etc.
Sigh, it's a bittersweet moment to think the show is over tomorrow.
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18 SuziQ
September 17, 2012 at 2:09 PM
She deserves here praises. The actor's Busan accents were distracting at first, but I got use to it. She was the perfect Shi-won, and I can't believe this is her acting debut! Eun Ji and Seo In Guk were a wonderful couple and really made this drama so cute and adorable.So much fun to watch!
Seo In Guk is already signed his new drama. Does Eun ji have a new drama in store for her too?
Going to miss this drama.....and all of the fabulous actors too!
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19 heodang
September 17, 2012 at 2:32 PM
Such a darling kid. Even Kim Soo Ro is in awe of her, and I don't blame him. Hopefully everybody in the cast and staff continues to find success in their respective fields.
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20 Iviih :)
September 17, 2012 at 2:38 PM
Dramabeans off topic but ohlala couple teaser is out! ^^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTCe3SeMBio
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21 j
September 17, 2012 at 2:41 PM
She's might not be the most skilled actress, but she's so natural and comfortable in her role that I just can't imagine anyone else portraying Shiwon!!
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22 Sajen
September 17, 2012 at 3:49 PM
I personally think she's a fantastic actress and personally think her performance is 100 times better than Seo In-guk’s. That being said the whole cast is fantastic but, want to see them in something else to see how much of that is their acting and how much is their awesome characters, writing and story
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23 whatis
September 17, 2012 at 4:29 PM
Love this girl! ahhahaa Can't wait for the last episode!
WOOOOOO!!
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24 graceface
September 17, 2012 at 4:43 PM
Gahhh. Love her. Eunji unni jjang! She's not the type of person you find everyday in the celebrity world, and I hope she'll stay this cool forever. Sometimes I wonder how genuine actors/singers are on and off stage because who knows... The could just be creating and maintaining thier image. I hope eunji never loses herself because SHE IS AWESOME THE WAY SHE IS.
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25 mizweng
September 17, 2012 at 5:13 PM
Love her...she's so adorable in her bad ass way...and she made Busan accent lovable.... And boy, what a singing voice she has.... this kid is just plain talent in the rawest form!!!!! I wish her more projects to come and that she remain humble and true as time goes by... :)
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