Shim Eun-kyung Finds Catharsis and Expanded Artistic Horizon in 'Travel and Days'

“I don't think I have talent.”

This single sentence was the catalyst that drew actress Shim Eun-kyung to the film ‘Travel and Days’. For the actress, who has dedicated over two decades to her craft, the contemplation of 'talent' evoked deep resonance, leading her to introspect her own journey.

‘Travel and Days’, offered by director Miyake Sho, tells the story of 'Lee,' a screenwriter who unexpectedly spends time at a secluded inn in a snowy landscape. Shim Eun-kyung recalled her surprise when director Miyake Sho, whom she had briefly met at the Busan International Film Festival, personally approached her for the role. She felt a sense of destiny, thinking, “How could he see me so well? This is my story.”

The line that struck her the most was when her character 'Lee' confesses, “I don't think I have talent.” Despite her continuous acting career since her debut as a child actress in 2004, she too grappled with her identity and perceived talent. “It was my inner self, always present in my heart. But this character honestly expresses those feelings. Seeing Lee embark on an adventurous journey, I imagined what it would be like if something similar happened to me. I wanted to experience a certain emotion that exists yet feels absent within me, so I chose this project without hesitation.”

In her 21st year as an actress, Shim Eun-kyung describes acting as still being an uncharted territory. She confessed, “The desire to do better makes my shortcomings feel even more significant. When I was younger, I thought I'd be more at ease by this age, but that's not the case at all.” However, ‘Travel and Days’ served as a much-needed outlet for these concerns. “The thought that I lacked talent felt like it would follow me forever, but working on this film felt like passing through a long, dark tunnel into fresh air. A sense of liberation, perhaps? I gained a little strength not to be exhausted,” she added.

Much like her bold move in 2017 to sign with a Japanese management agency and begin activities in Japan, Shim Eun-kyung continued to make daring choices and embrace new challenges with ‘Travel and Days’. Her fondness for Japanese cinema and her belief that sincerity in performance transcends language barriers fueled her journey. “The director's words, ‘There are many moments in this film that cannot be expressed in words,’ made me understand why I fell in love with this project,” she shared.

Reflecting on her past self, whom she now considers 'arrogant' for believing acting solely depended on talent, Shim Eun-kyung revealed that her approach to acting has become much more flexible. “Before, I approached acting very emotionally, but I realized sometimes brakes and restraint are necessary. ‘Travel and Days’ is a film where silence is crucial, so I worked by shedding my emotions and projecting myself into the character. My acting approach seems to have expanded,” she explained.

From winning the Best Actress award at the Japan Academy Film Prize for ‘The Journalist’ to ‘Travel and Days’, her career continues to unfold in ways she once couldn't have imagined, solidifying her status as an actress with a promising future.

Netizens in Korea have shown enthusiastic support for her new endeavors, commenting, "Actress Shim Eun-kyung, regardless of talent, your sincere performances are always moving," "It's admirable to see you take on new challenges after your success in Japan. Looking forward to 'Travel and Days'!" and "Your honest confessions resonate with us. We support your future activities!"