Is being 'youthful' an advantage or a disadvantage for actress Han Seung-yeon?
Han Seung-yeon held a wrap-up interview for the TVING original 'Chunhwa Love Story' (written by Seo Eun-jung, directed by Lee Kwang-young) at a café in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 10th.
'Chunhwa Love Story' is a romantic youth historical drama that unfolds as the capital is buzzing with the provocative erotic novel 'Chunhwa Love Story,' following the declaration of Princess Hwari (Go Ara), who failed in her first love, that she will find her husband herself, involving the capital's top flirt Hwan (Jang Ryool) and the first-choice groom Jang-won (Kang Chan-hee).
Han Seung-yeon played the role of Yi Jiwon, a noblewoman from a prestigious family, depicting another court romance. Yi Jiwon, portrayed by Han Seung-yeon, is the sister of the top-choice groom Lee Jang-won and the daughter of a prominent family, possessing both beauty and talent. She grew up in a prestigious household, has high self-esteem, and is open about her opinions, but she also feels shy and has many reservations about romantic relationships, which often left her partner restless.
From an immature college student to an ambitious concubine, Han Seung-yeon has captured audiences with her charming appeal across various genres. She delicately expressed Yi Jiwon's resolute will with determined eyes and voice. Especially in an era where women found it difficult to voice their thoughts, she flexibly portrayed an independent female character, playing a key role in leading women's narratives.
Born in 1988, Han Seung-yeon is now 36 years old. However, she is still recognized as one of the representatives of the entertainment industry with a wrinkle-free face that evokes the image of being in her early 20s. The news of her appearing in the 19+ historical drama 'Chunhwa Love Story' was a shock to some fans.
Regarding this, Han Seung-yeon said, 'I felt at ease because there weren't many two-shot scenes with Kang Chan-hee. This was something I worried about since being cast. I was concerned that the age difference might be odd and that I might receive criticism if we were seen together. Since it's a historical drama, there are no family photos, and there were no two-shot scenes that would be suitable for such a setting, so during the historical drama's allowance, Chan-hee dressed maturely while I dressed as an unmarried woman, which helped bridge the gap.'
She added, 'It seems that some people still perceive me as young. I have built an image of looking young since I was in my early 20s and have been told that since my debut. My identity is Han Seung-yeon. When deciding on this project, I didn't focus much on the intensity of the kissing scenes. I believe that as an actor, I should follow the direction of what I want to integrate into the work. It seems that fans were quite surprised. Being an adult actor, I think there are certain levels I need to meet in this area.'
In particular, Han Seung-yeon remarked on her youthful image, saying, 'I feel that there are many mountains to cross because of being youthful. Just because I look young doesn't mean I am young. There's a limit to that aspect. I think it's both an advantage and a disadvantage that I have to work hard to manage and study acting to overcome those limitations.' She continued, 'I rarely expose myself to sunlight, and I wear hats a lot. When I travel to Southeast Asia, no matter how hot it is, I wear long sleeves, long pants, and a wide-brimmed hat. I drink alcohol maybe once a month. I like to taste, but I don't really enjoy drinking. I believe that as time goes by, I may have received some help in that regard.'
Approaching her 40s but not appearing or feeling that way, Han Seung-yeon responded to the notion that she would still have a Hamtori-like image in her 40s, saying, 'That's also a concern. My dream is to become a petit grandma. It would be nice to be a lovely adult like senior Kim Ja-ok. I want to be someone who brings good vibes, is enjoyable to see, and is useful. I want to pursue that image of being a 'petit grandma.'
[OSEN = Reporter Jang Woo-young]