Park Ji-hyun on 'Eun-joong and Sang-yeon': Dieted on Water and Coffee for 3 Weeks for Role

Actress Park Ji-hyun, who flawlessly portrayed the complex character 'Sang-yeon' in the Netflix series 'Eun-joong and Sang-yeon,' shared her deep affection for the project and behind-the-scenes stories.

In an interview held in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Park Ji-hyun spoke about the profound impact the Netflix original series 'Eun-joong and Sang-yeon' had on her and the audience. The drama, which depicts the intricate and emotional relationship between two friends, Eun-joong (played by Kim Go-eun) and Sang-yeon (played by Park Ji-hyun), has garnered significant attention since its release, ranking within the top 5 non-English TV shows globally on Netflix.

While Sang-yeon's character faces a poignant end in the series, Park Ji-hyun happily stated she is in good health. She shared, "I watched the drama four times, completely engrossed," highlighting her enjoyment as a viewer. She further elaborated, "I felt sympathetic towards Sang-yeon from the very beginning. I believe every character has a justifiable reason for their actions, so my primary intention was to embrace Sang-yeon with that understanding."

Park Ji-hyun emphasized her effort to ensure viewers would empathize with Sang-yeon's perspective. "Although some of Sang-yeon's actions might be difficult to understand, I tried to portray the character with the mindset that I, at least, needed to understand her," she added. Regarding the public's reaction, calling Sang-yeon 'the ultimate Sang-yeon,' she commented, "Interpretations can vary from person to person. The actor shows, and the viewer interprets."

She acknowledged that Sang-yeon is a character who partly invites loneliness but also understood that the 'ultimate Sang-yeon' reaction was natural given the story unfolds from Eun-joong's point of view. "For the drama to be meaningful, both Eun-joong and Sang-yeon needed to be understood to reach the conclusion together. Therefore, I strived to make my character Sang-yeon understandable, revealing the reasons behind her actions in a reverse chronological order, so that viewers would embrace and love her," she explained.

Discussing her performance across different age ranges from her 20s to 40s, she found it manageable because the filming was done chronologically. "Portraying a character over a long period is a blessing," she said, adding that having the entire narrative already written in the script made it easier to act with a clear direction.

Regarding the heavy themes of life and death, she reflected, "While playing Sang-yeon, I realized how closely intertwined death is with life." This realization prompted her to re-examine her own previous perception of death as something distant.

On the sensitive topic of assisted suicide, she mused, "It feels like Sang-yeon's emotions still linger with me." She shared her personal belief: "Individually, I believe people facing suffering at the end of their lives should have the freedom to choose their death." However, she cautioned that this is a personal viewpoint and difficult for an actor to discuss lightly.

Park Ji-hyun revealed her intense diet for the role of a sick patient in her 40s, subsisting on only water and Americano for two to three weeks, which surprised many. She also shared her method for portraying the character's physical state: "To make my face look swollen, I cried for about two to three hours right before filming." She elaborated on the challenges of emotional acting and her unique approach to enhancing immersion.

She expressed joy throughout the filming process, stating, "I enjoy playing roles with a wide emotional range." She was satisfied with the supportive environment on set, where she could act freely thanks to the synergy with the director and fellow actors.

Park Ji-hyun described gaining Kim Go-eun as a 'benefactor' through this project. "I met someone who could change my life," she said, expressing deep admiration for Kim Go-eun's acting and calling her 'more than a mentor.' She also revealed that she personally purchased luxury items, including a watch, scarf, and earrings, for Sang-yeon's outfits in her 40s as they were not provided through sponsorships. "When people comment that the styling perfectly captured a 40-year-old, I feel a sense of pride," she added.

She acknowledged the importance of separating one's own identity from a role but admitted that Sang-yeon's character had stayed with her deeply, making her realize the need for separation. Furthermore, Park Ji-hyun deeply respects actress Kim Go-eun, calling her existence a great blessing to the Korean arts scene.

Finally, she differentiated her feelings: "The way Sang-yeon sees Eun-joong is different from how I see Kim Go-eun." While Sang-yeon felt admiration mixed with resentment towards her friend, Park Ji-hyun expressed only admiration and reverence for Kim Go-eun, stating, "I wouldn't dare to resent her; I admire and revere her."

Park Ji-hyun is determined to continue growing as an actress by taking on diverse roles and challenges.

Park Ji-hyun debuted in the 2016 film 'Silence' and gradually built her filmography with appearances in dramas such as 'Jealousy Incarnate,' 'Saimdang, Memoir of Colors,' 'Familiar Wife,' and 'My First First Love.' She gained significant public recognition for her role as Seo Se-yi in the 2021 tvN drama 'Yumi's Cells.' Her recent performance in the Netflix series 'Eun-joong and Sang-yeon' has once again garnered attention for her exceptional acting skills.