Gong Hyo-jin Praises Lee Hanee's Dedication Amidst Early Pregnancy During 'Neighbors' Filming

Actress Gong Hyo-jin spoke highly of her junior colleague Lee Hanee, who showed remarkable dedication even during her early pregnancy while filming the movie 'Neighbors'.

On the morning of the 19th, an open talk event for the film 'Neighbors', invited to the 30th Busan International Film Festival (30th BIFF), took place at the outdoor stage of the Busan Cinema Center. Director and actor Ha Jung-woo, along with lead actors Gong Hyo-jin and Kim Dong-wook, attended the event to discuss the film with Baek Eun-ha, director of the Actor Research Institute.

Lee Hanee also played a crucial role as one of the four lead actors in 'Neighbors'. However, due to her recent childbirth of her second child, she was unable to attend the event. The attending cast members fondly mentioned and expressed their affection for Lee Hanee.

Ha Jung-woo commented, "Lee Hanee set the right tone. If the other three of us were splashing in the water, Hanee was submerged, supporting the rest of us well." He added, "She played my wife, a character who speaks unfiltered and frankly. She skillfully controlled and grounded those aspects." Gong Hyo-jin recalled, "I worked with Lee Hanee on 'Pasta' over a decade ago. We also stay in touch personally and share our lives." She continued, "Our filming method was unique. We shot all scenes in order for four people, without changing clothes or hair, for extended periods each day."

Despite these demanding conditions, Gong Hyo-jin emphasized Lee Hanee's strength. "Hanee is someone who is always in a happy mode and never tires. She radiated positive energy," she said. "Even during the dark, cramped set, we filmed for over ten hours."

"This was when she had just found out she was pregnant. Even though it was the difficult early stages of pregnancy, she held us together and pulled us along with her positive energy, acting like a mental coach," Gong Hyo-jin revealed. "We talked about her a lot yesterday too. If she's watching, I miss her dearly and want to encourage her, telling her she worked so hard."

'Neighbors' is a film that tells the unpredictable story of an upstairs couple (Ha Jung-woo & Lee Hanee) and a downstairs couple (Gong Hyo-jin & Kim Dong-wook) who end up having dinner together due to a peculiar nightly noise disturbance from the floor above. Directed by Ha Jung-woo for the fourth time after 'Rollercoaster', 'Chronicle of a Blood Merchant', and 'Lobby', the film is slated for release this December.

Gong Hyo-jin debuted in the 1999 film 'Whispering Corridors 2: Memento Mori' and has since earned the title 'Queen of Romance' for her diverse roles. Her charming personality and realistic acting resonate with a wide audience. She is also recognized as a fashion icon, known for establishing her unique style.