Actress Uhm Ji-won reunited with actor Yoon Park, with whom she shared a couple's role in 'Postnatal Care Center,' after 5 years.
Uhm Ji-won met with reporters on March 30 at the Baipoem Studio in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, for an ending interview regarding the KBS2 weekend drama 'For Eagle Brothers' (written by Kwon Hoon-sook, directed by Choi Sang-yeol).
'For Eagle Brothers' (hereinafter 'Eagle Brothers') is a drama that depicts a well-ripened family story created by the eldest sister-in-law, who becomes the head of the family after the sudden death of her husband just ten days after their marriage. It first aired in February, recording a peak rating of 21.9% (episode 40), leading to a decision for a 4-episode extension, concluding on the 3rd with a total of 54 episodes.
Uhm Ji-won plays the role of Ma Gwang-sook, the head of a postal service who is so cheerful and candid that she is nicknamed the person of great virtue. With her prominent features, fair skin, and playful expressions, she convincingly embodies a character with a personality filled with both laughter and tears, often swearing when angered.
Uhm Ji-won, who made her entry into her first KBS weekend drama through 'For Eagle Brothers,' said, "I do not choose a work based on factors like scheduling, but I felt a sense of responsibility since weekend dramas represent KBS. As KBS weekend dramas were once regarded as 'national dramas,' I aimed to make this drama similar again."
Uhm Ji-won's determination paid off, as 'For Eagle Brothers' successfully extended by 4 episodes. Uhm Ji-won shared, "I was physically challenged and wondered if I could drop out midway. I knew it was a long production when I entered, so I made sure to manage my condition to close it out well as an actress, trying to maintain my energy until the end. That's why I found it hard to meet friends or anyone else while filming 'For Eagle Brothers.' I believed taking breaks to control my condition was more important than having time to meet anyone else. So, I was grateful yet worried about the 4-episode extension offer. While it came because everything was going well, I was concerned about my stamina and how the longer story may affect its density. It would be great if we could maintain the same density until episode 54, but I think many people hope for that, so I felt I had to wrap it up well."
The successful conclusion, which even warranted an extension, was thanks to the story that taught the value of 'family love.' Uhm Ji-won noted, "In the past, large families were common, but nowadays, nuclear families are on the rise, and there are many single-person households. So, I believe there's nostalgia and longing. Even if one lives quietly, everyone desires the support and strength that a protective fence provides. Especially in these times of economic hardship and a tough world, I think 'For Eagle Brothers' presented a comforting and warm feeling akin to the traditional KBS weekend drama, healing many hearts."
At the center were Uhm Ji-won's brothers-in-law, including Choi Dae-cheol, Kim Dong-wan, Yoon Park, and Lee Seok-ki. Among them, Yoon Park had previously partnered with Uhm Ji-won in the tvN series 'Postnatal Care Center' aired 5 years ago, and this time they met as sister-in-law and brother-in-law.
Uhm Ji-won remarked, "In the beginning, there's a scene where Yoon Park is holding Hanni in front of the 'Eagle Brewery,' and the creditors come, creating a bit of a conflict. In that scene, I briefly take care of Hanni, and during rehearsal, I noted that it felt like a familiar scene. In the early stages, I couldn't stop laughing while acting with Yoon Park. Although he's my brother-in-law, there was a bit of awkwardness since in the previous work 'Postnatal Care Center' he played my husband. Since I had gotten close to Yoon Park while filming 'Postnatal Care Center,' I could quickly become friends with him and the other brothers-in-law in 'For Eagle Brothers.' Developing chemistry depends on getting close quickly, and my rapport with Yoon Park helped in that aspect. Given the strong bond between us, I believe it enhanced our brotherly chemistry," she said with a smile.
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