In the latest episode of “Normal People,” which was just uploaded to the YouTube channel “SBS Entertainment,” Shin Dong-mi and Son Tae-jin were joined by actress Kim Ji-yeon for a conversation.
When questioned about her profile and the significance of her name, Kim Ji-yeon clarified, “My name is made up of two parts, with ‘Ji’ representing wisdom and ‘Yeon’ representing beauty. Some may interpret it as ‘you know you’re pretty,’ but the true meaning is to be a wise and beautiful individual. Additionally, my MBTI is INTP, my blood type is A, and I am the youngest of two siblings, a brother and a sister.”
Kim Ji-yeon revealed that she began her journey as a trainee by auditioning for her current company. Originally from Daegu, she traveled to Seoul for auditions and to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. Interestingly, she received more offers to audition from scouts on the streets of Seoul. Despite her mother’s initial doubts about a career in the music industry, Kim Ji-yeon was determined to make it happen and convinced her mother to let her try. She took part in an audition in Daegu and successfully passed, leading her to join her current company.
Kim Ji-yeon also discussed her acting journey. According to her, the opportunity to start acting came at the perfect time. She made her debut in the drama ‘The Best Hit’, where she portrayed a trainee about to make her debut. She had to compete against other rookie girl groups for this role. The character she played had long, straight black hair and was portrayed as cold and thin due to extreme dieting. Interestingly, at that time, Kim Ji-yeon was preparing for her music album and perfectly fit the image of the character. She considers herself lucky to have landed her first role and went on to star in ‘Girls’ Generation 1979′ the following year. This drama was set in Daegu in
In regards to her role in “Joseon Attorney,” her initial historical drama, she expressed, “I consulted frequently with both the director, Shin Dong-mi, and the writer. I may not be one to set lofty aspirations or plan for the future, but I strive to excel in any given task. The thought of not being capable of achieving something deeply troubles me. Therefore, I always give my utmost effort to prevent any potential regrets.”
Kim Ji-yeon stressed the importance of delivering maximum efficiency in a short amount of time as an idol. She reflected on her role in “Joseon Attorney,”expressing that with more preparation time she may have performed better. However, due to her busy schedule with concerts and “Queendom 2,”she was unable to fully dedicate herself to the role. As a perfectionist, she always strives to do her best, but recognizes that in their profession, effort does not always guarantee success. Therefore, she chooses to focus on giving her all and accepting the outcome as a way to protect her emotional well-being.
Recalling her experience with “Twenty-Five Twenty-One,” Kim Ji-yeon shared, “I may not have debuted at 21, but I was able to start my career at 25. It was a dream come true to collaborate with my favorite writer, actor, and director. Looking back, I can confidently say that I gave it my all. I put in a lot of effort to learn fencing, even attending physiotherapy sessions. Despite starting four months later than Kim Tae-ri, I caught up quickly through intense training and daily practice for three months leading up to filming. My background in dance also played a role in my quick progress. And although Kim Tae-ri was a formidable opponent, I couldn’t
During her interview, she discussed her role as Ko Yu-rim in “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” and how it resonated with her own experiences of pursuing her dreams during her trainee days. Additionally, she shared her initial thoughts on playing Seong Soo-ji in “Pyramid Game,” admitting that she didn’t think the character was a good fit for her. However, once filming began, she found that the character’s relaxed demeanor and voice came naturally to her, making her feel at ease with the role.
Finally, Kim Ji-yeon discussed the types of roles and genres she is interested in. She mentioned that Ko Yu-rim was a powerful character and since then, she has been offered similar roles of determined, clever, and morally upright characters. However, she expressed a desire to explore new territory and take on unconventional roles, such as that of a psychopathic killer.
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