Rising star Bae Kang-hee, known for her roles in the dramas 'The Glory' and 'Diva on an Uninhabited Island,' made her film debut in 'Final Interview.' Captivating director Kim Jung-hoon during auditions with her distinctive energy, she portrays the perfectionist character Cha Joo-won, drawing audiences into a tense atmosphere on screen.
"I auditioned for the role of Cha Joo-won and was cast. When I first read the script, I felt a strong sense of immersion. The story doesn't just follow one event; the characters' psychology and relationships continuously shift, making me eager to know what happens next. That desire to be part of the project grew significantly," Bae said.
During the audition, it was Bae's intense energy that caught Kim's attention. The stark contrast between her calm demeanor and her performance left a lasting impression that influenced the casting decision.
"I didn't have a long conversation with the director, but I remember him saying that I wouldn't be overshadowed by actor Seung-ho. I think he was referring to the gap between my usual self and my acting," she recalled.
The 'energy' noted during auditions became a direct challenge when acting alongside Shin Seung-ho, whose strong presence required Bae to elevate her own performance.
"Seung-ho has great energy on set. His voice resonates, and his gaze is overwhelming. I'm usually more subdued, so I felt I needed to raise my voice and project more energy," she explained.
As the two actors navigated their emotional dynamics, unexpected feelings emerged. Particularly in a scene where Cha Joo-won expresses intense emotions, Bae found herself shedding tears unexpectedly, influenced by her co-star's performance.
"When I saw Seung-ho's expressions up close, I couldn't help but get immersed. We matched our emotional temperatures through our gazes. In a scene where I pour out my emotions after a secret is revealed, I shed tears and wiped them away immediately. That reaction wasn't intentional; it just happened as I followed Seung-ho's emotional lead. I think I acted instinctively," she said.
Despite the strong energy she brings, Bae views Cha Joo-won's essence as more complex than just being a perfectionist. She interprets the character as someone who is not inherently strong but rather fragile, needing to maintain perfection to avoid being shaken.
"I feel that Cha Joo-won is more of a person who had to be perfect rather than a perfectionist. I hope audiences understand why this character makes certain choices as they watch the film. On the surface, she appears rational and sharp, but I believe she is the most emotionally unsettled among the six characters," Bae stated.
As one of six candidates revealing their secrets and desires, Cha Joo-won's role is crucial in driving the narrative. She ignites conflict and later adopts an ambiguous demeanor that challenges the audience's perceptions.
"Each of the six characters has their own stories and episodes, and I felt that Joo-won had a functional role in the film. She needed to express her emotions first to spark conflict, and afterward, she created confusion for the audience with her ambiguous attitude," Bae explained.
Bae describes another key aspect of Cha Joo-won as 'clumsiness.' Behind her impeccable resume and sharp demeanor lies a young person who struggles with relationships and emotions, which she believes adds depth to the character.
"I think the keyword for Cha Joo-won is 'clumsiness.' While she appears to be a perfectionist, I see her as the most human and awkward character. I wanted her to come across as someone with a strong sense of responsibility for what she must protect, even at a young age. Since she isn't very socially adept, I felt she embodies a lot of clumsiness, including a desire to avoid getting hurt," Bae said.
Her first film shoot was a learning experience, not just in acting but also in how to assert her opinions as an actress. Observing her experienced co-stars confidently express their character visions inspired her to find her own voice.
"The actors I worked with were so skilled and experienced that I learned a lot from watching them assert their opinions on set. I'm usually calm and quiet, but I feel I gained some strength to push forward with my beliefs," she noted.
Particularly, Bae was impressed by how actor Kwak Dong-yeon meticulously built his character. He didn't just prepare lines and emotions but also carefully planned small props and actions within the character's logic.
"Watching Kwak Dong-yeon detail his character construction taught me a lot. He meticulously set up actions that the character could realistically perform, even considering when to clean his glasses. I wanted to set up Cha Joo-won similarly and sought his advice, which he kindly affirmed," she said.
Bae Kang-hee first made a mark on the public with 'The Glory.' While she left a strong impression with that role, she aims to showcase a more diverse range of her acting abilities in this film.
"'The Glory' was the work that solidified my identity as Bae Kang-hee, and I'm very grateful for that. I still keep in touch with my co-stars from that project. If I was known for a strong image from 'The Glory,' I hope to come closer to the audience with this film and be seen as an actress with a friendly and diverse range. I would be very grateful if people think, 'I'm curious about her next performance,'" she said.
For actors, auditions are not far removed from the interviews that characters in the film must undergo. Bae Kang-hee, who continues to audition, understands the urgency of needing to showcase oneself and be chosen.
"Since I still audition regularly, I approach each moment with a sense of urgency, thinking, 'I really need to show myself.' I believe many people have something they desperately want, whether it's an interview or a job, so I think audiences will resonate with the characters' urgency in the film," she said.
However, she does not view auditions as solely evaluative experiences. By recognizing that the other party is also a subject observing her, she believes it helps alleviate excessive tension.
"I think when you view auditions as purely evaluative, it makes you tense and puts pressure on your performance. So, I see the evaluators as subjects too, and I think that mutual subjectivity helps reduce tension," she explained.
As for her performance in her debut film, Bae Kang-hee rates herself a 30 out of 100. This score reflects her belief that there is no perfect answer in acting.
"Right now, I think I'm at about 30 points. I don't know how long I'll be acting, but I'm not sure if I'll ever give my performance a perfect score. I think that's why I continue to pursue acting, as I can never find a perfect answer," she concluded.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.