Jun Do-yeon on Romance at 50: 'Still Possessing Charm to Captivate Younger Actors'

Veteran actress Jun Do-yeon expressed her gratitude for continuing to star in romance projects even in her 50s, emphasizing the importance of maintaining her allure as an actress.

In a post-finale interview for the Netflix original series 'A Killer Paradox' held on the afternoon of the 12th in Seoul, Jun Do-yeon shared her thoughts.

Discussing her recent string of collaborations with actor Park Hae-soo in 'The Cherry Orchard,' 'A Killer Paradox,' and the upcoming 'Great Woman Bok-sook,' she remarked, "It's quite fascinating. We've worked together on three projects consecutively, and I'm gradually becoming more comfortable and feel a sense of support."

When playfully asked if Park Hae-soo was the new 'man' in her life, she candidly replied, "Still, Kyung-gu oppa is much more," adding a humorous jab that Park Hae-soo needs to "step up his game."

Jun Do-yeon confessed her concerns, stating, "Losing one's femininity as a female actress feels like a significant disadvantage. I still want to try melo, and I boasted that I'd do rom-coms even at 60, but I do have doubts about whether it's truly possible."

She was particularly moved when actor Hong Kyung expressed his desire to do a romance project with her. "When director Byun Sung-hyun showed me the message, saying 'A 20-something male actor still wants to work with you, senior, so have confidence,' I felt a lump in my throat. It made me realize I still have appeal as an actress. Losing that appeal is critical, and reading that article gave me immense strength and touched me deeply."

Reflecting on the term 'femininity,' Jun Do-yeon carefully explained, "Femininity can be a sensitive and uncomfortable topic in society today. However, as an actress, I believe it's important to preserve it. While in other professions, one might not need to emphasize their gender, I feel actresses need to be able to engage in 'romance' with the audience. There needs to be that spark of excitement when viewers look at us. I think that's a vital aspect of being an actress."

Regarding her upcoming fourth collaboration with Sol Kyung-gu in director Lee Chang-dong's film 'Possible Love,' she shared her excitement. "I've always loved director Lee Chang-dong's work. I even asked him in private to just make a movie, even if I wasn't in it. Sol Kyung-gu felt the same way. The thought of actually filming his movie felt unbelievable. I kept asking the director for the script quickly, fearing it might fall through. It was an incredibly grateful opportunity."

She added, "Even though Sol Kyung-gu and I might have faced difficult moments during the shoot, we filmed with such gratitude that we saw those times as precious. After the challenging experience of filming 'Secret Sunshine,' I decided to follow the director's vision rather than my own stubbornness and focus on enjoying the process. Astonishingly, the set was joyful, and I looked forward to going to work every day."

Netizens are reacting enthusiastically to Jun Do-yeon's comments about her continued appeal in romance roles at 50, with many praising her as the 'Queen of Romance' and expressing excitement for her future projects. Comments like 'Always trust and watch Jun Do-yeon,' and 'A romance offer from Hong Kyung? That's a fresh combination!' are common.