Uhm Jung-hwa on Her Latest Drama: "If I Lost My Memory, I'd Want to Start Over Too"

Uhm Jung-hwa, the iconic "Madonna of Korea," has once again captivated audiences with her latest role in the Genie TV original drama, 'My Star, My Golden Child' (translated title).

In a recent interview with Sports Seoul following the drama's conclusion, Uhm Jung-hwa expressed her attraction to the premise of a star losing her memory. "If I were in that situation and no one recognized me, I would want to start all over again," she said with a laugh.

'My Star, My Golden Child' proved Uhm Jung-hwa's enduring talent. The drama depicted the story of top star Lim Se-ra, who, after a mysterious incident, lives as an ordinary middle-aged woman, Bong Cheong-ja, 25 years later. Uhm Jung-hwa's versatile performance, seamlessly shifting between Bong Cheong-ja and Lim Se-ra, drew viewers in. Her signature comforting yet profound acting earned widespread praise, reinforcing her status as 'Uhm Jung-hwa, as expected.'

Her meticulous passion for analyzing characters, never missing even the smallest detail, is the source of her strength. "When I was playing Bong Cheong-ja, I barely looked in the mirror. I checked for 'ugliness' before checking for beauty, haha," she revealed.

Though visually distinct, Uhm Jung-hwa and Bong Cheong-ja share an unextinguishable flame within their hearts. This inner fire fuels Uhm Jung-hwa's continuous pursuit of challenges even in her mid-50s, driven by happiness.

Speaking about reuniting with actor Song Seung-heon after 10 years, Uhm Jung-hwa called it a "great connection." She added, "Thanks to him, filming was enjoyable. I was half-excited and half-worried about how a romantic comedy for middle-aged characters would be perceived, so I was pleased it was well-received."

Her passion for her music career also burns brightly. Much like her career trajectory, balancing both acting and singing without being confined to a single image, Uhm Jung-hwa is currently planning a new album. However, the message has evolved. "There was a time when I released an album almost every year. But now, I don't think it's the era where people eagerly await my albums. I work on it when I feel the desire to create one. While I used to think, 'It has to be this genre,' over time, it changed to 'Let's tell the stories I want to tell.'"

Her 10th album, 'The Cloud Dream of the Nine,' was a symbolic work. After undergoing surgery for thyroid cancer and damaging her vocal cords, Uhm Jung-hwa made a powerful return to the stage after eight years. "It was a meaningful album created to symbolically announce my recovery," she explained, "Now, I'm preparing for the next album by focusing on what stories I want to tell, rather than just music style."

The legacy Uhm Jung-hwa has left on the Korean music scene is undeniable, with iconic hits like 'Only God Knows Love,' 'Rose of Betrayal,' 'Invitation,' 'Poison,' 'Molla,' 'Festival,' and 'Ending Credit.' She consistently attempted new concepts and ignited public enthusiasm with her bold transformations, earning accolades for her unique versatility.

Now in her 34th year since debut, Uhm Jung-hwa's eyes still hold a pure spark. "Being an entertainer is tough, but I love chasing dreams. Whether as an actress or a singer, it's fun," she stated, her voice as clear as a young girl's. It's hard to believe someone who finds so much joy in both singing and acting would say, "If no one recognized me, I'd want to start over again." Perhaps if she were to start anew, Uhm Jung-hwa's choice would still be to be an entertainer.

"There's still so much I haven't done. I believe there are more opportunities for me. I really want to try historical dramas too. Age doesn't matter when you're dreaming," she concluded.

Korean netizens are showing strong support for Uhm Jung-hwa's continued passion and diverse career path. Comments like "She's truly an actress you can trust," "Always supporting Uhm Jung-hwa's challenges," and "Looking forward to the next album!" reflect the positive reception.