K-STYLE JAPAN INTERVIEW MARCH 2023
Girls' Generation's Seohyun talks about the charm of "Jinxed at First: "A unique and uncommon character"
(THIS INTERVIEW WAS TRANSLATED FROM JAPANESE WITH GOOGLE TRANS WITH SOME MINIMAL EDITING FOR CLARITY)
SOURCE
Q: What was your first impression of the character Seulbi?
Seohyun: When I first saw the script, I thought Seulbi was a unique character. She is extremely pure, acts out of the blue, and has amazing abilities, so I think she is a very attractive and unique character.
Q: What did you think when you were offered the role of Seulbi?
Seohyun: It was a character that I wanted to take on, so I was happy that they entrusted me with the role, and at the same time, I felt a sense of responsibility.
Q: What advice did you receive from the director? What were some words that left an impression on you?
Seohyun: Every time I went to the set, the director welcomed me warmly and complimented me a lot. The director often told me, ``Just act however you like'' and ``You're good at acting, so do whatever you want,'' and that's what I remembers most. Thanks to that, I was able to play Seulbi freely.
Q: Are there any similarities or differences between you and Seulbi?
Seohyun: I think Seulbi and I have a lot of similarities. First of all, I have a positive way of looking at things, and I am ambitious and have a spirit of challenge. We are also similar in that we are very active and energetic. The difference is...the experience level in social life is different. Seulbi has had no contact with the outside world for about 19 years, so there are many things she doesn't know, and she has never been in society, so I think her experience level is different from mine. I have a lot of experience as a working adult.
Q: Which line resonated with you the most?
Seohyun: It's not Seulbi's line, but what Seulbi's mother says to her, but it's a line that says, ``The luckiest ones aren’t necessarily the happiest.'' At that time, Seulbi didn't really understand it, but as she grows up, she learns the meaning of those words and grows even more despite the pain. Those words are impressive.
Q: What are your thoughts on costumes and hair and makeup?
Seohyun: I was very particular about the styling. There are fans of the webtoon that it is based on, so I wanted to create a wonderful work that takes advantage of the charm of a webtoon while also adding the charm of a drama.
Q: What did you pay attention to when preparing for your role?
Seohyun: I thought it was necessary to think carefully before playing Seulbi. I thought a lot about ``What kind of values should I live with in order to grow up to be a child like Seulbi?’’ and ``What kind of things did she have to go through?'' I paid attention not only to the appearance but also to the inside. Also, since Seulbi is not a typical character, I wanted her words, actions, gestures, and facial expressions to stand out and look like an innocent teenager. I wanted to somehow express the cute movements typical of characters from web comics, so I incorporated them.
Q: What was the atmosphere like at the filming location?
Seohyun: I think it was the best site. First of all, the director was a cheerful and personable person who enlivened the atmosphere on set. I also felt the love that Na Inwoo (who played the opposite role) and all the cast members had for the set. It's thanks to everyone that I was able to go to the site with a feeling of having fun rather than going to work.
Q: What does Gong Soogwang mean to Seulbi?
Seohyun: For Seulbi, Soohwang is her “strength to survive.” I think he is so meaningful that you could say that he occupies 80% of her life.
Q: How was it co-starring with Na Inwoo?
Seohyun: I have always felt very grateful to be able to work with such a responsible actor. He has a deep love for the work, and always had the script with him on set. And we talked a lot about the script. We consulted many times on set about ``how to make use of the characters and make the two of us work together.'' I felt empowered, and he was not only helpful, but also educational.
Q: Please tell us the highlights of the drama.
Seohyun: `Jinxed at First” is a drama that feels like an amusement park. It's a work that everyone can enjoy, regardless of age or gender, and I think everyone can relate to it.
Q: What is the scene between Seulbi and Soogwang that we should pay attention to?
Seohyun: There are a lot of interesting scenes... There is a scene where Seulbi drinks alcohol for the first time. Seulbi and Soogwang's reactions at that time and the conversation between the two are interesting, so please pay attention.
Q: What is the appeal of this drama, which is different from the original work?
Seohyun: I tried to make the most of the charm of the original work while adding even more charm. I think it adds a sense of dynamism and lively charm. There are many parts that have been adapted, characters that are not in the original work appear, and the setting has changed slightly. I would like you to see that part as well.
Q: What did you learn or what interested you as a result of this work?
Seohyun: It made me think about "fate". I had never thought about it deeply before, but this time it was a work that involved fate. I often wondered, ``Is there a destiny?'' ``Can I change my destiny?''
Q: What message do you want to convey through the drama?
Seohyun: The message of "Let's love everything." I want to tell people to live their lives while loving the fate that has come their way, love their lives, love the people around them, and love themselves too.
Q: What kind of people do you want to watch this drama?
Seohyun: I would like people who are in various situations to watch it, including people who are wondering why they are unhappy, people who are bored or want to laugh, people who want to be healed.... I think it will make life even more enjoyable for those who enjoy life, and bring laughter to those who are feeling down. It's a warm work, so I'd like many people to see it.
Q: Is there a way to bring good luck?
Seohyun: First of all, I believe that good luck will come to me, and then I work really hard. Then, you will be able to the seize good luck when it actually comes.
Q: Who brings good luck to Seohyun?
Seohyun: There are many people like that. It's difficult to narrow it down to just one person. Depending on the time, it might be someone I know who comforts me, a friend, my parents, or even my dog. On set, the director and fellow actors are like that. Depending on how you think, everyone becomes a ``person who brings good luck.''
Q: Does Seohyun have a jinx as well?
Seohyun: I don't really have jinxes. There are no events that come to mind. But if I had to say it... I don't usually play games. I definitely don't play games before I have something important coming up. If I play a game for even 1 minute or 30 seconds, I end up blaming myself for some reason. I don't think it's because I played games that things didn't go well, but when I have something important coming up, I want to use my time to focus on it and prepare. Maybe you want to avoid being distracted by other things.
Q: What was the luckiest thing in your life?
Seohyun: I often think, ``I'm lucky.'' I say “I’m lucky” many times a day. My life itself is lucky. However, it wasn't all happy, but I think I was able to find some good luck thanks to some small misfortunes. There were a lot of good things that happened, and I think that if you think you're lucky, you'll be lucky, and if you think you're unhappy, it'll end there.
Q: What roles or genres would you like to try in the future?
Seohyun: I'd like to try a very ordinary romance, and I'd also like to try a memorable villain.
Q: What do you want to achieve as an actor?
Seohyun: I don't think acting is a job to achieve something. I feel like I'm always learning about life and myself every time I work. You could say that it gives me a sense of accomplishment to have lived the life of someone different from myself in my work, but I think this is a job that gives me more of a sense of responsibility than a sense of accomplishment. But I'm having fun doing it.
Q: What is the difference between a singer and an actor?
Seohyun: I think singers and actors are similar. Both jobs involve expressing one's thoughts and emotions, expressed through songs and lines. If I were to look for something different…A singer’s job is to perform on stage, so they think about how to present themselves in order to express themselves more coolly. However, actors do not speak or express their own emotions. I think the difference between singers and actors is whether or not they project themselves.
Q: What is important to Seohyun?
Seohyun: The most important thing is my diary. I've been writing in it ever since I made my debut at the age of 17. At that time, I was so busy that I couldn't even remember what I was thinking or working on yesterday. So I started writing in a diary to keep track of things, and I think it's become a good habit. When I look at my past diaries, I feel that they are very important because they are full of my life. There were times when I ended up writing two lines because I didn't want to write, and times when I was honest and said, "I don't want to write." But it's what I cherish most because it's what my life has been about up until now.
Q: What is your routine that you have followed up until now?
Seohyun: I still maintain the value that ``the ultimate winner is the good person.'' And my routine...I read books when I'm having a hard time. Books that serve as life guides are ``Nietzsche's Words'' and Dale Carnegie's ``How to Win Friends and Influence People''. I first read it when I was about 18 years old, and it really touched my heart. Since then, I've read it over and over again, and even though it's the same book, I feel different each time. This is a book that allows you to reflect on yourself and help you grow.
Q: What are some ways to change your mood?
Seohyun: There are many. For some reason, people tend to think I'm an introvert, but my friends and acquaintances who know me well say I'm "active." No matter how tired you are on holidays, going outside will make you feel more energetic than staying at home. I often go to the Han River to walk my dog, and instead of reading books at home, I spread out a mat and read books along the Han River. I also like driving and horseback riding. I also like golf.
Q: What has changed since you turned 32 (in Korean years)?
Seohyun: It's a sense of responsibility. I now have a stronger sense of responsibility. Of course, I have more leeway than before, but I also have a different sense of responsibility.
Q: What is your favorite Japanese food or favorite drama?
Seohyun: I love Hitsumabushi. When I went to Nagoya, I ate 3 meals of ``hitsumabushi'' for 3 to 4 days during my stay. Even in Korea, I look for a restaurant that serves Hitsumabushi and go eat it. You can't get that taste with delivery. So I go to eat at delicious restaurants. But I have yet to meet the delicious hitsumabushi that I had in Nagoya. I just love it! I'm starting to want to eat it... My favorite Japanese drama is "Nodame Cantabile." I've watched a lot of Japanese dramas, but that one is still my favorite.
Q: What are your memories of Japan?
Seohyun: I have a lot of memories. I rode a roller coaster and it was really scary. Moreover, I took off my shoes and rode. I think the name was ``Eejanaika''. It was really scary, but it was a lot of fun! I think I rode with Girls' Generation members twice. It’s nostalgic.