Actress Kim Min-joo shared her thoughts on finishing 'Undercover High School'.
On the 29th, the MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'Undercover High School' (planned by Nam Gung-seong, written by Lim Yeong-bin, directed by Choi Jeong-in, produced by Neo Entertainment and Slingshot Studio, hereafter referred to as 'Under School') ended, with Kim Min-joo portraying the student council president Lee Ye-na at Byeongmun High School, showcasing a different side of herself that had never been seen before, proving her presence as an actress.
Kim Min-joo's transformation drew attention from her first appearance. Her seemingly gentle face was shadowed with a chill that heightened the intensity. The spiteful words she delivered in a calm tone pierced the heart, yet there was somehow no urge to despise her. Rather than just a change in image, Kim Min-joo equipped herself with a richer expressiveness, vividly depicting a character whose attitude changes based on relationships. In particular, her newly diverse expressions and gaze naturally conveyed the duality of the character, catching attention as if she were donning different faces. Furthermore, she delicately portrayed a character who, despite having grown up twisted in an oppressive environment, navigates through trials and tribulations to find the right path, making one want to cheer for her transformation.
Receiving praise as an actress whose future is more promising through her new portrayal, Kim Min-joo concluded the drama by saying, "Thank you for loving 'Undercover High School.' Thanks to you all, I believe Ye-na will become a good adult. I hope you will support both Ye-na and me, Kim Min-joo."
Below is a Q&A with Kim Min-joo
Q. Please share your thoughts on finishing 'Undercover High School.'
A. First of all, I want to sincerely thank the viewers for their interest and love. It was such a warm setting, and I learned and felt a lot.
Q. You showcased a new side of Kim Min-joo through Ye-na. The chilly gaze was impressive; how did you feel about your own face as seen on the broadcast?
A. At first, playing Ye-na, who has a character opposite to those I've played before, felt unfamiliar to me, but as I watched Ye-na grow, I found myself genuinely supporting her.
Q. Ye-na's emotions seemed quite complicated. Were there any difficult parts while acting?
A. Ye-na is a character who changes drastically depending on the situation. Her emotions fluctuate so much that her character varies from scene to scene, which might make it hard to understand. So, I focused as much as possible on the given situation, distinguishing what I wanted to show as a student council president and what I wanted to portray as a daughter. In a way, Ye-na has many masks, and since she can't help her circumstances, I worked hard to focus on that and make her changing appearances seem natural.
Q. You worked with various characters; what was the atmosphere like with the fellow actors during filming?
A. First, it was an honor to act alongside Seo Kang-jun. Thanks to his energy, I could be fully immersed in Ye-na on set, experiencing how scenes come alive and learning a lot. As he mentioned, I would love to meet again in the future in a warm mother-daughter relationship. Seo Kang-jun acts with incredible detail. I respected how he prepares by considering not only his character but also Ye-na's emotional trajectory. I felt regret that I had few scenes to share with Jin Ki-joo. Though it was a short scene, I think my desire for Ye-na to become a good adult came from Teacher Sua. I filmed several emotional scenes with actor Park Se-hyun, and we matched really well. The relationship between Ye-na, who aims to walk the right path, and Yoo-jeong, who believes and waits for her, felt very precious.
Q. Which scene or line from the filming do you remember the most?
A. In the final episode, there is a scene where I visit my mother in prison, and among them, the line "Mom, I love you. But I think it might take some time to understand you." is the one I remember the most.
Q. By the end of the last episode, Ye-na learns how to stand on her own. Do you have a message you want to convey as you let her go?
A. I support your independence. You're a strong kid.
Q. Are there any roles, genres, or aspects you want to show or challenge in the future?
A. I would like to try a youth drama and an action genre, and I want to challenge myself in the human genre as well.
Q. A final greeting to the viewers who loved 'Undercover High School' and Ye-na.
A. Thank you so much for loving 'Undercover High School' until now. I was happy to be able to cry and laugh together. Thanks to you all, I believe Ye-na will also become a good adult. I hope you will support Ye-na and me, Kim Min-joo. I will work hard to greet you with good works, so I hope you will keep an eye on me.
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