Actress Park Bo-young captivated viewers by fully living the lives of two characters.
In the tvN weekend drama 'Our Unwritten Seoul' (written by Lee Kang, directed by Park Shin-woo, produced by Studio Dragon, Monster Union, and High Ground), which aired for the first time last week, Park Bo-young delicately portrayed twin sisters living vastly different lives: the younger sister 'Yumi Ji,' who lives like a 'mayfly,' and the older sister 'Yumi Rae,' who is precariously holding on in the corporate planning and strategy department of a large company in Seoul.
In this episode, as the short-term contract worker 'Yumi Ji' unexpectedly confronts the harsh reality faced by her sister 'Yumi Rae,' she makes a shocking proposal, saying, 'I will live as you. You live as me,' leading to a remarkable story where the sisters swap lives. Park Bo-young vividly expressed the energetic and unrestrained personality of 'Yumi Ji,' and authentically portrayed the depths of the character by capturing moments from the past as an athletic prodigy, the breakup with her first love, and the current experiences of loss and anxiety.
The story unfolds as the sisters adjust to the unfamiliar environment after swapping places. Park Bo-young's acting skills, taking on two roles, shone from the very first episode. 'Yumi Ji' experienced 'Yumi Rae's life' in Seoul, filled with cold corporate culture, while 'Yumi Rae' experienced 'Yumi Ji's life' reconnecting with family in her hometown. Park Bo-young expressed the two characters with completely different energies, quickly immersing the viewers.
Especially in the scene where she is taken aback by a question about 'ESG management' in a conference room, Park Bo-young seamlessly infused 'Yumi Ji's' unique quirkiness and wit. In the hair salon, she energizes the drama with a lively exchange of banter between the sisters. Without any abrupt emotional shifts, her expressiveness revealed the characters' inner selves through facial expressions, glances, and rhythm, solidly supporting the core of the story.
In this way, Park Bo-young convincingly filled the temperature difference between 'Yumi Ji' and 'Yumi Rae,' who appear identical on the outside but are very different on the inside, through her meticulous acting. She intricately constructed a complex emotional line that transcends simple dual roles, conveying a sense of living two lives within one character simultaneously. Moreover, even in moments of heightened emotion, her restrained expression left a lasting impact, drawing viewers' empathy through her layered portrayal of the characters' psychology.
Through 'Our Unwritten Seoul,' Park Bo-young is creating another life character. Despite the loneliness and instability hidden behind her smiles, her ability to maintain firmness raises expectations for the upcoming narrative.
Meanwhile, 'Our Unwritten Seoul,' featuring Park Bo-young, airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 p.m. on tvN.
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