Jun Ji Hyun used to be that ‘sassy girl’, that girl who looked calm and pure on the outside with her long hair and short skirt but broke out into dance when the techno came on.
She’s an actress that has two images that normally can’t mix, and this is why she was the ideal type of so many men for the last 10 years.
Her mysterious nature also helped her stay at the top and pushed her forward for so long.
Now, however, Jun Ji Hyun has set down her mysterious veil to approach the public as that easygoing sister next door. Enews wondered what changed her and why she changed, so we met with Jun Ji Hyun, who’ll soon be making a comeback with the film The Thieves.
She’s an actress that has two images that normally can’t mix, and this is why she was the ideal type of so many men for the last 10 years.
Her mysterious nature also helped her stay at the top and pushed her forward for so long.
Now, however, Jun Ji Hyun has set down her mysterious veil to approach the public as that easygoing sister next door. Enews wondered what changed her and why she changed, so we met with Jun Ji Hyun, who’ll soon be making a comeback with the film The Thieves.
Jun Ji Hyun up close
It was a short interview that lasted only for an hour, but the impression Jun Ji Hyun gave was strong and shocking. She boasted doll-like features, long arms and legs and an overall beautiful aura, and had an honest and easygoing nature to match with it.
She honestly said things like, “I used to hate going to Incheon Airport. Going there meant I was on my way to work,” and also spazzed about things anyone would like, such as, “I want to watch MBC’s Infinity Challenge. ’God Yoo’? That’s what we call him at home; God Yoo.”
The Jun Ji Hyun hidden behind her veil of secrecy had stepped forth to reveal herself step by step.
You’re gathering more interest than any of the other actors in ‘The Thieves’.
“Why is that? (Laugh) I think it’s because of my character. I say things like ‘your lips are too stiff’ in kiss scenes and even curse straight out. I think it’s because my character and my personality were a great match. It’s also my first Korean film in a long time. I think that’s why the attention naturally came in this direction.”
There were a lot of scenes that are normally difficult for an actress, such as scenes in which you jump from the fifth story of a building or curse a lot.
“To be honest, I jumped with my trust for the director (Choi Dong Hoon). While I worked with him, a sort of trust formed between us. I believe that the reason such prominent actors were able to come together for this film was because of the trust director Choi gives everyone. He’s a director who can pull out all of the charms hidden inside me, and that’s why I could do anything.”
It was hard to see you do so for other pieces.
After My Sassy Girl I mostly starred in foreign films. That filled my heart with something I couldn’t quite explain, such as my problems with communication. I had felt how comfortable Korean films can be by starring in such films before going overseas, so I really wanted to act in Korea. I think [The Thieves] helped me take care of that.”
Are you satisfied with your own acting?
“Actually, it somehow didn’t work out in Hong Kong and Macau. Even after I got the OK sign the director and I weren’t that satisfied. Although it’s been 15 years since I’ve started acting, I still become tense on set and I always try to do something. That naturally stops me from putting on good acting. I was satisfied when we came back to shoot in Korea because something just stuck. I got goosebumps.”
It was a short interview that lasted only for an hour, but the impression Jun Ji Hyun gave was strong and shocking. She boasted doll-like features, long arms and legs and an overall beautiful aura, and had an honest and easygoing nature to match with it.
She honestly said things like, “I used to hate going to Incheon Airport. Going there meant I was on my way to work,” and also spazzed about things anyone would like, such as, “I want to watch MBC’s Infinity Challenge. ’God Yoo’? That’s what we call him at home; God Yoo.”
The Jun Ji Hyun hidden behind her veil of secrecy had stepped forth to reveal herself step by step.
You’re gathering more interest than any of the other actors in ‘The Thieves’.
“Why is that? (Laugh) I think it’s because of my character. I say things like ‘your lips are too stiff’ in kiss scenes and even curse straight out. I think it’s because my character and my personality were a great match. It’s also my first Korean film in a long time. I think that’s why the attention naturally came in this direction.”
There were a lot of scenes that are normally difficult for an actress, such as scenes in which you jump from the fifth story of a building or curse a lot.
“To be honest, I jumped with my trust for the director (Choi Dong Hoon). While I worked with him, a sort of trust formed between us. I believe that the reason such prominent actors were able to come together for this film was because of the trust director Choi gives everyone. He’s a director who can pull out all of the charms hidden inside me, and that’s why I could do anything.”
It was hard to see you do so for other pieces.
After My Sassy Girl I mostly starred in foreign films. That filled my heart with something I couldn’t quite explain, such as my problems with communication. I had felt how comfortable Korean films can be by starring in such films before going overseas, so I really wanted to act in Korea. I think [The Thieves] helped me take care of that.”
Are you satisfied with your own acting?
“Actually, it somehow didn’t work out in Hong Kong and Macau. Even after I got the OK sign the director and I weren’t that satisfied. Although it’s been 15 years since I’ve started acting, I still become tense on set and I always try to do something. That naturally stops me from putting on good acting. I was satisfied when we came back to shoot in Korea because something just stuck. I got goosebumps.”
How was your teamwork with the actors? I heard you especially got along well with Kim Yun Suk.
“I was comfortable around everyone, and it was great. I was especially close to Kim Yun Suk sunbaenim (senior). Before I met him I was actually concerned that he might be too quiet or serious, but I loved how he used his charisma like [his role] Macau Park does to lead the film. He also likes me (Laugh).”
I believe you’re good with words. You made issues at the preview for saying about your being compared with Kim Hye Soo that you’re “not a match even in breast size.”
“I’m actually always embarrassed if I’m not in front of a camera. I can’t seem to throw myself out there. I always think I should put on an act in front of the camera, too, but this time I think the film’s mood helped me change. The older actors, the director and our youngest member [Kim] Soo Hyun are with me. What’s there to be afraid of? (Laugh) I just made that statement because the mood was good there at the time.”
Why don’t you come out on variety or talk shows when you’re this good?
“I just think there weren’t any opportunities for me. I actually like Infinity Challenge a lot. (When told she would fit well with Infinity Challenge) If I do go on variety, I want to be on Infinity Challenge. Infinity Challenge will be the best choice for me, but the show shines brighter without any star guests. I’m scared I’ll ruin the show’s original colors. ’God Yoo’? That’s what we call him at home; God Yoo. (Laugh)”
What kind of person is Jun Ji Hyun?
“A person who’s not careful and so makes a lot of mistakes? (Laugh) I think I’ve been on a standstill for so long. In the past I used to be concerned over how I should go on living when I’m not popular anymore or what I should do when I have no more work."
"After Happy Together, however, I’ve just started to think comfortably that being busy is better than not. I’m actually very positive and laid back. I’m sometimes so lazy I don’t want to think. I just don’t take anything too seriously. (Laugh)”
A lot of fans are curious about your married life.
“He’s the person I chose. If I don’t work hard for the person I chose, I’ll regret it so much later. That’s why I work hard. I can’t give myself 100 out of 100, but I just want people to know that I’m working hard. (Laugh) I want to go on our honeymoon soon and I also want to go on a trip.”
Any last words about ‘The Thieves’?
“It’s a film that a lot of people put so much effort into. I want to share it with a big audience.”
Photo credit: Hea Jung Min
“I was comfortable around everyone, and it was great. I was especially close to Kim Yun Suk sunbaenim (senior). Before I met him I was actually concerned that he might be too quiet or serious, but I loved how he used his charisma like [his role] Macau Park does to lead the film. He also likes me (Laugh).”
I believe you’re good with words. You made issues at the preview for saying about your being compared with Kim Hye Soo that you’re “not a match even in breast size.”
“I’m actually always embarrassed if I’m not in front of a camera. I can’t seem to throw myself out there. I always think I should put on an act in front of the camera, too, but this time I think the film’s mood helped me change. The older actors, the director and our youngest member [Kim] Soo Hyun are with me. What’s there to be afraid of? (Laugh) I just made that statement because the mood was good there at the time.”
Why don’t you come out on variety or talk shows when you’re this good?
“I just think there weren’t any opportunities for me. I actually like Infinity Challenge a lot. (When told she would fit well with Infinity Challenge) If I do go on variety, I want to be on Infinity Challenge. Infinity Challenge will be the best choice for me, but the show shines brighter without any star guests. I’m scared I’ll ruin the show’s original colors. ’God Yoo’? That’s what we call him at home; God Yoo. (Laugh)”
What kind of person is Jun Ji Hyun?
“A person who’s not careful and so makes a lot of mistakes? (Laugh) I think I’ve been on a standstill for so long. In the past I used to be concerned over how I should go on living when I’m not popular anymore or what I should do when I have no more work."
"After Happy Together, however, I’ve just started to think comfortably that being busy is better than not. I’m actually very positive and laid back. I’m sometimes so lazy I don’t want to think. I just don’t take anything too seriously. (Laugh)”
A lot of fans are curious about your married life.
“He’s the person I chose. If I don’t work hard for the person I chose, I’ll regret it so much later. That’s why I work hard. I can’t give myself 100 out of 100, but I just want people to know that I’m working hard. (Laugh) I want to go on our honeymoon soon and I also want to go on a trip.”
Any last words about ‘The Thieves’?
“It’s a film that a lot of people put so much effort into. I want to share it with a big audience.”
Photo credit: Hea Jung Min
