Hwang Jung-eum on building her character for She Was Pretty
by javabeans
Three weeks out from She Was Pretty’s premiere, the MBC romantic comedy is ramping up its promotion. We recently got a cute teaser out of leads Hwang Jung-eum and Park Seo-joon, and now we have a new promo shot of Hwang (…just the one, stingy bastards), as well as a brief interview with her about the drama and her approach to the character.
In the show, Hwang Jung-eum plays Kim Hye-jin, a formerly pretty and currently ugly woman who falls in love with a man who had the opposite life trajectory (going from ugly to hot). Admittedly, the one-line premise made me a little iffy about the show, since I don’t want a drama to reduce people to being only as good as their looks (although I realize that society will do that anyway), but I am a little comforted at the thought that the writer for She Was Pretty is Jo Sung-hee, who previously worked with Hwang on High Kick Through the Roof. Though Hwang had acted prior to the 2009 family sitcom, High Kick really was her breakout, and I remember her standing out among the cast. Maybe the reunion will be good for them both?
About her character, Hwang Jung-eum said: “When she was young, she lived a shining life where she was always the lead character. But she’s turned thirty and now lives a life more like an extra, where nobody pays her the least attention. Still, she’s sweet and good-natured, and she has a positive and enthusiastic personality that represents this struggling young generation. She’s a refreshing character we haven’t seen much in dramas before, so I’m looking forward to it.”
When asked how Kim Hye-jin differs from Hwang’s previous characters, she replied, “In previous projects, there were a lot of external devices that represented the character’s job or personality, but not so much in She Was Pretty. She’s extremely ordinary but doesn’t lose her pure spirit, and I’m working hard to express Kim Hye-jin. Putting an emphasis on those parts, it’ll be fun to watch how things go.”
Hwang was asked how it felt reuniting with High Kick Through the Roof writer Jo Sung-hee, as well as what her first impressions of the script were. Answer: “First off, I had faith in writer Jo Sung-hee. And reading the synopsis for She Was Pretty, I had the feeling that the set of this drama would be really enjoyable. Kim Hye-jin is a character with a lot of appeal, and I hope that viewers can relate to her and enjoy watching her.
Hwang has had a hot streak, with successful turns in Secret and Kill Me, Heal Me. So what does she think about her prime days as an actor? “I feel like every day is even better than the last. [Laughs] As an actor, it’s a given that you must do a good job with the acting. To that end, in order to express the character well, I need to keep up a continuous flow of positive thoughts. Putting in that effort daily, I think you progress, whether externally or internally. When tomorrow comes, I try to make tomorrow a new heyday for Hwang Jung-eum.”
She Was Pretty premieres on September 16.
Via TV Report
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1 Lizzie
August 28, 2015 at 9:17 AM
Looking forward to this one. ?
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2 Nox
August 28, 2015 at 9:32 AM
Goodluck, Miss Hwang. Smells like another hit for you
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3 ilikehim
August 28, 2015 at 9:57 AM
Park. Seo. J
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4 ilikehim
August 28, 2015 at 9:58 AM
Joon!
Sorry, the excitement got in the way.
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5 Danielle
August 28, 2015 at 11:02 AM
I still can't believe that they're calling that face ugly. I mean ruin her hair all you want but she is gorgeous.
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Chanelboy loves Jang Ki Young Argh
August 28, 2015 at 11:28 AM
they already ruin her hair in Full House 2, is total mess.
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rementa
August 28, 2015 at 1:17 PM
I like Hwang Jun-eum, and have enjoyed some of her past works. But she really needs to lay off the plastic surgery. It is getting to that bad level, if not already. The cut lip surgery was a huge mistake, as it gives her mouth region an odd appearance on camera. Plus, the overly taut, shiny bloated face of too much Botox.
She was really pretty before, but now all the work is actually aging her. She looks way older than her actual age. I hope she addresses whatever is pushing her into making these drastic changes.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
August 29, 2015 at 4:36 AM
frankly, if there is an underlying psychological issue, that is hers to address, and not for us to armchair diagnose. Because when it comes to role choices and styling, she genuinely seems to have zero vanity about being made to look ugly.
I didn't really watch her in anything before Secret but even with the obvious work and procedures, she's a great actress. She can emote really convincingly and she's good at both comedy and melo.
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Chanelboy loves Jang Ki Young Argh
August 30, 2015 at 1:34 AM
I don't think she looks that much different from before, didn't almost all K-actress did some touch ups?
I like seeing pretty face and envy them btw.
If want to say something, Lee Da Hee (My Girl).
I watch her in My Girl and Hotel King, I can't pinpoint what's been changed her but, she looks her ownself other twinzie that resemble her past.
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6 kororo
August 28, 2015 at 11:18 AM
Miss Hwang fighting !!
I still do not get the ugly factor here, but let's wait and see.
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7 Dina
August 28, 2015 at 11:33 AM
She may have been pretty, but right now, she is as ugly as hell.
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8 topper
August 28, 2015 at 11:41 AM
The weird thing with Hwang Jung-eum for me is that I enjoy her acting, but her unnatural face often becomes a distraction, especially her chin and lips.
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mari.jeb
August 28, 2015 at 12:01 PM
I so agree >< !!
I really do enjoy her acting .. and i've seen almost every drama she's been in ..
but her face is too unnatural to not be a distraction :/
She was really pretty before though ..
well .. I'll still watch this drama since i'm pretty sure she's goona be great in it <3
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Daphne
August 28, 2015 at 1:36 PM
Same here. Plus it has PSJ too. She and him showed glimmers of great chemistry in "Kill Me, Heal Me". (As disturbing as that might be in that particular context. :P )
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9 Reyes
August 28, 2015 at 11:59 AM
Too much plastic surgery for me
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10 Alessar
August 28, 2015 at 12:00 PM
Sometimes, an actor's greatest skill is picking the right material. I can think of a few actors who I like whose dramas are trainwreck after trainwreck, and then you have her and Jisung who jumped on Kill Me Heal Me after working on Secret together. I sort of picture a conversation like this happening; welcome to Imaginary Casting Theater:
Jisung: Hey I got the script for Kill Me Heal Me which so many actors have passed on.
Hwang: Really? What's wrong with it?
Jisung: Nothing, it just requires you to be able to act your ass off and play about 5 distinct characters, including a girl. It's actually a fabulous story.
Hwang: Heol.
Jisung: I'm doing it. I'm going to kick ass.
Hwang: Daebak.
Jisung: I need a female lead. HINT HINT.
Hwang: I am SO THERE.
Jisung: The second male lead is still that young hot dude from Witches' Romance
Hwang: I ALREAY SAID I'M IN DO YOU NEED ME OVER THERE RIGHT NOW OR SOMETHING??
This has been Imaginary Casting Theater!
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
August 29, 2015 at 4:30 AM
lmao I'm dying here
(if they don't give Ji Sung the Daesang at MBC end of year awards, it'll really be unfair)
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11 canxi
August 28, 2015 at 12:35 PM
Am I the only one who thinks they don't mean "ugly" in a literal sense? The description makes me think this way even moreso. It seems like a character trying to compete with her past self that got lots of attention. (Kind of like when child actors grow up and no one pays them any mind because they don't look the same as they did when they were 5). Like maybe she just grew up and lost her confidence because no one is paying her any compliments like they did when she was a child. Lol, I never thought she was supposed to be some hideous monster. And then Park Seo Joon is the opposite.
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pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
August 29, 2015 at 4:38 AM
That sounds like a good theory, and more in line with something realistic - an adorably cute kid growing up to be, well, not so cute any more.
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12 Livina
August 28, 2015 at 12:43 PM
One of my most favorite actress ever! Hwaiting, Hwang Jung Eum! Make She Was Pretty to be smash hit AGAIN, like most of your dramas.
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13 Milly
August 28, 2015 at 12:47 PM
Hwang Jung Eum looks slightly different every time I see her. Something about her face just seems so unnatural. I just can't get over her overacting. Sometimes it's too over the top for me. Will see how everything turns out before giving it a shot...
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14 kathy
August 28, 2015 at 1:06 PM
i love her!
after all this time watching dramas she is the one i look forward to, just because she has a knack on picking good scripts...
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15 redfox
August 28, 2015 at 1:33 PM
lets hope this is good. if not, it is still good to look at them, maybe turn the voice down and imagine the dialogue cause they are both the kind of people who make me feel happy and warm just by looking. they should work as play-buddies in a childrens´hospital. you know, that kind of people. who take away pain.
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16 alpha
August 28, 2015 at 1:42 PM
Enough about the plastic surgery talk. Its her face she can do what she wants. And its not even unnatural as some of you are making it sound. She was gorgeous and is still gorgeous. Few touch ups is common.
She is a brilliant actress and I always watch her dramas. Her characters are always so nice and she just lives the character with perfection.
And of course there is Park Seo Joon.
Don't know about the ratings, but this drama is already a success in my heart.
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17 Chandler
August 28, 2015 at 1:55 PM
Really? Her character in High Kick is by far my favorite role of hers!!! She seriously stole the show for me and made me continue watching all the way until the episode before it's ridiculous ending. It pretty much explains why I will always have a soft spot for her. There, I thought her comedic acting was spot-on and not too over-the-top. And I freakin' loved her relationship with Daniel Choi in that show (they lived happily ever after...shut up. They did.). If the writer and her can work the same magic in terms of character and romance for this drama, then I will be very happy.
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songsong
August 28, 2015 at 5:37 PM
Yup she was awesome in High Kick. She was awesome in Giant. She was awesome in Full House 2. She was awesome in Secret. She was awesome in Kill Me Heal Me.
Will she be awesome in She Was Pretty? Probably yes too!
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18 mjfan
August 28, 2015 at 3:00 PM
( I need to keep up a continuous flow of positive thoughts. Putting in that effort daily, I think you progress, whether externally or internally )
WOW , great words
I love her, I trust that she will create another great character to love as her previous ones , wish her all the luck
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19 cahya
August 28, 2015 at 3:27 PM
I'm sure it's enjoyable for her working in this drama. HJE is reuniting with many of her former costars here: PSJ (KMHM), GJH (CYHMH), Siwon (Love Letter), Hwang Suk Jung (Secret), Shin Dong Mi (GT), Kang Soo Jin (KMHM), and Yoohwan from the same agency C-JeS.
Anyway, I'm sure Hye Jin will be a memorable & unique character. Can't wait for SWP.
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20 graey
August 28, 2015 at 3:27 PM
I hope they don't mean ugly literally. The synopsis made me run away ahem BoAB. Haha. But if it's just about a not-so shining star anymore. I'm definitely in.
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21 Peace88
August 28, 2015 at 3:53 PM
love her and looking forward to this show. i actually enjoy Hwang Jungeum in high kick so here's hoping for good things for this upcoming drama.
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22 luvKdramas
August 28, 2015 at 5:28 PM
Sounds interesting!
Hwang Jung Eum and Park Seo Joon, great team and yes the chemistry between the duo is there ('Kill Me Heal Me' speaks for itself). Can't wait!! :)
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23 ck1Oz
August 28, 2015 at 5:56 PM
Writer is good. Actors can act. Actors have sexual chemistry.
Hope director is good.
I can ignore the PS. Enough already man.
Ok, maybe I can't ignore the screeching.
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24 pogo - sailing HMS Queen of Tears and HMS Sailboat Lovely Runner🍉
August 28, 2015 at 8:00 PM
I'm so here for this, I hope it's good.
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25 dumdum
August 29, 2015 at 4:10 AM
she is a good actress.
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26 camvan
August 29, 2015 at 6:58 AM
I m on board!
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27 Luna
August 30, 2015 at 12:18 PM
What ugliness you have...
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28 Valerie Gudorf
August 31, 2015 at 6:51 AM
I'm curious as heck to know how they plan on making her look "ugly". In Full House Take 2, they jacked up her hair so badly, I wanted to scream every time she appeared on camera. But to make her qualify as ugly, they'll have to do a whole lot more than that.
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