Actor Kim Ji-sung compared the daily dramas he appeared in seven years ago with the current daily drama trends.
On the 23rd, Kim Ji-sung held a closing interview for the KBS2 daily drama "Cinderella Game" (written by Oh Sang-hee, directed by Lee Hyun-kyung) at the OSEN headquarters in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
"Cinderella Game" is a drama that depicts the story of a woman who is used as a fake daughter by her nemesis and becomes a Hwashin of revenge, realizing the true meaning of revenge while growing and healing. The drama first aired on Dec. 2 last year, recorded a highest viewership of 11.2% (99 episodes, according to Nielsen Korea's nationwide standard), and concluded with 101 episodes on the 25th.
Kim Ji-sung played the role of Gu Ji-eun in the drama. Gu Ji-eun is the younger sister of Gu Hana (Han Geu-ru), working as a front staff member at the Hyesung Hotel after graduating from a vocational college in hotel management. Kim Ji-sung's portrayal of Gu Ji-eun, who is sometimes selfish and dreams of meeting a wealthy man to change her fortune, but is an unresistible materialistic sister, added significant charm to the drama's popularity.
Kim Ji-sung, who first connected with daily dramas through the 2018 broadcast of "The Doll's House," expressed that the work "Cinderella Game," which he met about seven years later and about three years after the Kakao TV release of "Still Not Thirty" in 2021, left him with only happy memories.
Kim Ji-sung said, "It's really amazing that we used the same set, waiting room, and dressing room as when we filmed 'The Doll's House.' I also met the director of 'The Doll's House,' which brought back emotional memories. Plus, we had many peers, including Han Geu-ru, so we quickly became close and comfortable with each other. The directors were relatively younger, so the atmosphere on set was lively and energetic."
In the daily drama he appeared in seven years later, the elements of 'makjang' (drama extreme) had greatly diminished. In fact, compared to previous KBS2 daily dramas, "Cinderella Game" has fewer makjang elements. Kim Ji-sung noted, "In 'The Doll's House,' there was a shotgun, but in 'Cinderella Game,' I feel it's closer to humanism. Maybe it's because I'm part of the main character's family, but I received a lot of healing thanks to Lee Eun-chong (Kim Geon-woo), and the stories with Gu siblings and Gu Ji-seok (Kwon Do-hyeong) seemed to show another family affection. I think it's not makjang but a drama with plausibility. There seems to be an effect from the actors' and directors' younger ages compared to previous works. Because of that, the viewers who recognized us have also gotten younger."
In both "The Doll's House" and "Cinderella Game," I played the role of the main character's younger sister, so differentiation was necessary. Kim Ji-sung mentioned, "When I worked on 'The Doll's House,' I really had no idea what I was doing. 'Cinderella Game' is a long-awaited work, and since it was a comeback after about 3 to 4 years, I studied hard to differentiate from the character I played in 'The Doll's House.' I believe that for a character to shine, it must resonate with viewers and elicit affection. Gu Ji-eun has an annoying aspect that triggers viewers' anger and makes them grab their necks. I constantly searched for the plausibility behind why this character seems materialistic. My conclusion is that everyone loves materialism and money, but the moment it is visible, it becomes uncomfortable. However, I think Gu Ji-eun is quite honest. She doesn't hide anything; perhaps she's the most innocent character, which I approached with that mindset."
Kim Ji-sung added, "In 'Cinderella Game,' acting-wise, working with actor Park Chang-hoon, who plays my brother Gu Ji-chang, was different from when I worked on 'The Doll's House.' If you look at the lines, we often spoke simultaneously, so we tried to enhance our partner's rhythm. We improvised quite a bit, and since we prepared a lot, the director even asked us, 'What did you prepare today?' and 'Can you show me in advance?' It was comfortable to perform as the characters in an open acting environment."
Kim Ji-sung particularly mentioned about the character Gu Ji-eun, saying, "Gu Ji-eun tends to throw tantrums and has many lines where she complains, so I tried to deliver them in a way that doesn't feel off-putting. While whining, when it's time to speak properly, I lowered my tone or adjusted it. I also wanted to enhance the character's qualities by using colorful or flashy costumes, and I aimed to convey the feeling that 'Gu Ji-eun does participate in society' while keeping my expressions moderately restrained."
Regarding the similarity between Kim Ji-sung and Gu Ji-eun, he commented, "We share a lot of enthusiasm inherently. I'm not usually energetic, but sometimes when I'm feeling good, I show that high tension like Gu Ji-eun, which is a similarity. The difference is that I don't chase material things like Gu Ji-eun does. If I had wanted money, I could have done something else, but I believe I'm still acting to find my dream. While there are similarities and differences, if there's something I want to learn, it would be her honesty. I don't think I can be as bluntly honest as Gu Ji-eun in my personality. Gu Ji-eun seems to have no stress."
It was a work he appeared in after a long time, with great chemistry with the co-actor, and it made him deeply immersed in the character as he also acted as a stylist. Kim Ji-sung reflected that "Cinderella Game" was pure happiness for him and helped him rediscover his acting roots. He expressed, "I liked it so much that it makes me regret more. In this project, I also took on the role of stylist. I handled all my costumes myself. I was quite busy adjusting the outfits to fit the scenes. I think I poured so much passion into this work that my regrets feel deeper."
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