Life truly only begins at thirty-nine. Our interview with Actor Kim Ji-Hyun
Tears, laugher and a lot of love is what the cast of Thirty-nine brought to our screens every week. We talk to Kim Ji-Hyun as she tells us all about playing Thirty-nine’s Jang Joo-hee.
Picture supplied by Vibe Actors
How did you prepare yourself for the role of having your best friend battling cancer on the drama?
Rather than preparing something in particular, I tried to be faithful to the flow and emotions in the script. The script was very detailed and the emotions were well expressed, so I was able to get through it well even if I just followed the script diligently. Naturally, I became empathetic.
With the many characters you have played in the past, which do you think you are emotionally attached to the most?
I am attached to all of them, but I am most attached to the character Jang Joo-hee. This is because I met a 39-year-old character at the age of 39, and I was happy while filming with good friends. I hope Joo-hee lives happily in the future.
Picture supplied by Vibe Actors
How did it feel navigating through different emotional scenes in the drama thirty-nine?
Of course, there were difficulties, but the joy was greater because I think it was a blessing to be able to handle various emotions as an actor. Because my job as an actress is to capture the emotions of a character that is not mine, I feel good that my spectrum as an actress has broadened by playing Thirty-nine’ s Jang Joo-hee.
What characteristics of your character in the drama do you think you can relate to the most?
Actually, I'm not very timid like Jang Joo-hee, but there are a lot of things I can relate to. Joo-hee's worries are very realistic. They are worries about work, worries about dating, and worries about friends. So, I think I can relate to this part.
It’s evident early in the drama that your character Jang Joo hee is attracted to Park Hyun Joon, although age seems to be a hindrance in her pursuing him. What are some of the things you think she needs to overcome to be honest with her feelings for him?
I think she should relieve her worries and be faithful to her emotions. As the saying goes “age is just a number”, if the two have feelings for each other, it would be better to stick to those feelings. I am happy that Jang Joo-hee and Park Hyun-Joon ended up with a happy ending.
Looking at your career within the industry, what has been the most important characteristic that has contributed to your longevity in this industry?
I think it is the consistency of doing the best in the given role. I don't get tired easily, and I seem to have a positive mindset. I think it's important not to get tired if you want to be an actor for a long time, and I think I have that power. So, I think that’s why I was able to keep going for a long time. I want to continue acting for a long time without getting tired.
Picture supplied by Vibe Actors
Watching the chemistry you have with your fellow co-stars on screen is both entertaining and heart-warming, like a true sisterhood. What has been the best thing about working with them both on and off screen?
We could tell what we were thinking just by looking into each other's eyes, and it was good that we were able to film happily while laughing because we all have good personalities. Also, acting wise, we had similar concerns, so it was fun to solve them together. I'm really happy that I made good friends.
Each character in the story seems to want to fulfil a long-lost desire before turning 40, did you feel a personal connection to feelings like these before turning 40? is there anything meaningful to you that you feel you achieved before turning 40?
I think the most meaningful thing is being in the drama ‘Thirty-nine’ and completing it successfully. Being 39 years old as the title ‘Thirty-nine’ makes me happy. Because I have no fear of turning 40, I never really thought about how I felt about it. The 39-year-old and the 40-year-old are the same to me. I think you just have to work hard every day.
