Kim Jung-eun Lands on First Leading Role in TV Drama

To the “Queen of Comedy,” Kim Jung-eun, 28 and in the picture, her comedic acting might be her best technique.

She attracted a five million-person audience for her movie, “Honor of the Family,” in 2002, acting as a tomboyish daughter in a gangster family but experienced a huge failure in 2003 with the melodrama, “Butterflies,” acting as a heroine of a tragedy.

SBS’ new weekend drama, “Lovers in Paris,” broadcast at 9:45 p.m. and which casts Kim Jung-eun as the leading character, Kang Tae-young, has brought back her comedic talent. Kang Tae-young, a poor Korean student in studying in Paris, meets Han Ki-ju, played by Park Shikn-yang, a Paris manger of a famous automobile company, and falls in love with him, a typical Cinderella love story. She has restrained herself from exposure, but in the drama, she introduces bath scenes where her bare shoulders and leg lines will be revealed.

At the site of shooting a scene in a fancy hotel in Gangnam on May 18, Kim Jung-eun was as lively as ever as seen in her eyes and voice.

“I will make their eyes be fixed on the TV and never glance away.”

Appearing on the SBS new drama, “Lovers in Paris”—

―Isn’t this your first time to assume a leading role in a TV drama? Usually, they become a star on TV and then move on to commercials and movies

“For me, it was the opposite. When they make it big in the movies, they are reluctant to appear on TV. However, I do not mind a different media. And since I became a star on the TV commercials, now I think I have to pay that back with good acting on TV.”

―What’s Kang Tae-young like in “Lovers in Paris”?

“She’s got nothing, and is a tomboy; a clueless, clumsy girl but lovely at the same time. I act really wildly, but Park Shin-yang balances it out. Don’t blame us for the same Cinderella stories. Isn’t it nice to dream of something in vain for a while and forgetting about reality?”

―Tell me about Cinderella and her dress and carriage.

“There is a scene where I dance the waltz with Park in a dress as his partner at a party. A diamond necklace has an important role to play in the drama to lead the story. So I picked a shoulder-revealing dress with a simple design so that it can bring out the beauty of the necklace. The necklace was worth 80 million won originally, but we replaced it with an imitation one that costs three million won instead because we were afraid we might lose it. The carriage is a limo, and it is so long that you have to run from the front seat to the back door.”

―Isn’t it really you who’s Cinderella because you’ve never played a leading role in a TV drama and yet still became a big star?

“Why, no. I tried really hard when I was just beginning, not to be daunted by other actresses who went to acting college –she is an industrial art major and currently having a break. I even memorized all the others’ lines. That’s how I can do my part well. Also, commercials helped my acting a lot. You have to make an expression showing that the food is really delicious even before it gets into your mouth.”

“A computer who does 100 percent of what a PD orders for acting”—

―What’s the difference between TV and movies?

“TV is colder. If people get bored, they just change the channel right away. So you have to be spontaneous and need some entertaining tricks which will make them stay.”

―The movies that opened in theaters last year, “Butterflies” and “Blow in, Spring Wind,” all failed in the box office…

“I’m still reflecting on that. Now that I think about it, the success of ‘Honor of the Family’ was a bubble. Now I’ve come back to my place. After midnight, just like the carriage turned back into a pumpkin…”

―Maybe it’s your fate that you will only be loved by prince (the public) only when you go all wild.

“People will see what they want to see, If I can show it to them, I’ll try my best.”

―Shin Woo-chul, who is producing the drama, says that you are a “computer that prints out 100 percent of what he orders her to act.” I heard you just did it, when he asked you to shed a tear as the camera turned around from behind and slowly moved toward your face?

“I think a good script makes a good actress.”

―These days, it seems like only the actresses who go wild become famous.

“I heard princesses who don’t seem like they are even going to bathrooms are not popular any more? I’m lucky in that sense; good timing.”

―You mean you wouldn’t be able to make this if it were a decade ago?

“I would’ve survived in any situation. Hohoho.”

Lee Jin-young, ecolee@donga.com