Actress Kang Han-na shared her feelings about seeing the series Bon Appetit, Your Majesty come to an end.
Her agency Beyond J released a Q&A interview with Kang Han-na, who gave a fierce presence as Sukwon Kang Mok-ju in Bon Appetit, Your Majesty.
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty, which concluded on the 28th, is a survival fantasy romantic comedy about a chef who time-slips to the past at the peak of his career and meets the worst tyrant and a king with absolute taste. Kang Han-na played Sukwon Kang Mok-ju, the "beauty who upends a nation," who monopolizes the king's favor and wields political scheming, raising the drama's immersion each episode with her passionate performances. In particular, her acting, visuals and clear diction combined perfectly, earning praise as a "reliable Kang Han-na historical drama."
Below is Kang Han-na's Q&A
Q1. I'm curious about your feelings about seeing Bon Appetit, Your Majesty off.
-Having worked passionately and with one heart through the hot summer days, it's hard to believe the production is already at its end — I don't want to let it go. But because the series received love and attention from many viewers, I think I can let Kang Mok-ju go with a happy heart.
Q2. When you read the script, what drew you most to Kang Mok-ju and how did you begin your interpretation of the character?
-Kang Mok-ju seemed like someone who held the only cure to calm the rough tyrant in the palace, but I was drawn to the idea that she actually harbored poison within, allowing her to oscillate between extremes and have a deadly presence. Although she has a justification in aiding Prince Je-san's plot, I wanted to portray her wrongdoing and emotional arc more dramatically than usual. I projected narcissists' tendencies to gaslight others, plot schemes and conspiracies, and have wildly fluctuating emotions onto Mok-ju so I could portray her appropriately for each situation.
Q3. Kang Mok-ju captured viewers' attention in every scene and entrance. Which scene from this drama is most memorable to you?
-I remember the scene where Mok-ju, intending to anger Lee Heon, deliberately provoked him by bringing up his mother, a trauma for him. To keep Lee Heon in her grasp until the end, she even shed fake tears and appealed passionately, then wiped away coldly the tears as she left — I think that showed Mok-ju's chilling dual identity well.
Q4. Kang Mok-ju has been evaluated not as a "simple villain" but as a multidimensional figure oscillating between obsession, lust for power and jealousy. What is Mok-ju's charm?
-Before entering the palace, Mok-ju's life was so lowly, rough and hard that no one could imagine her current appearance, which made her portrayal capable of variety. Thus, when she is alone with Chuwol she sometimes bursts out with her natural coarse laugh, but in front of Lee Heon she pretends to be elegant and, when needed, plays coquettish. With Yeon Ji-young, naive jealousy appears because she feels a threat she has never felt before, and in front of Prince Je-san, who knows her entire identity and shares her intentions, she could reveal her true colors — that allowed for a three-dimensional portrayal.
Q5. Praise such as "beauty who upends a nation," "eye-commanding presence," and "personal-color historical drama" continued. Was there any viewer reaction that impressed you most?
-The mid- to late-series reaction that "Mok-ju is the tyrant" was impressive. She may have appeared to be a palace concubine who, under the pretense of being the king's most cherished consort, wielded power in the wrong direction. I hadn't thought of it that way, but the audience responding to Mok-ju's brutal rampages in the latter part of the series left an impression.
Q6. In this work you took on a historical genre and a power-hungry character, showing a new side and intense acting as an actor. What part did you pay most attention to when depicting the character's growth?
-Because Mok-ju wasn't a character who contacted many palace figures or acted directly, I paid attention to making her clearer and more distinct in relatively few scenes. The director wanted Mok-ju to be beautiful yet deadly in the palace, so I focused on that, and the writer suggested using a lot of facial expression, so I tried to convey her emotions and schemes vividly.
Q7. How was your acting chemistry with other actors in the work? Are there any particularly memorable moments?
-There were many scenes with senior actor Kim Chae-hyun, who played Chuwol, and every time we met she offered kind words and compliments, so I felt much love during filming. The night-cell scene with Chuwol, where I held the senior's hand for the emotional line, happened to be the senior's birthday and last day of shooting. Thanks to the senior, we were able to shoot perhaps the most sincere display of Mok-ju's emotions, which I remember fondly.
Q8. Mok-ju's red hanbok and striking makeup became a major topic. When expressing not just acting but external style and atmosphere, what did you pay attention to?
-With flashy-colored hanboks, extravagant hair ornaments and makeup that emphasized red tones, she could radiate a certain red energy even without speaking. The director commented that Mok-ju's eyes should definitely look bad, so aside from brief moments like enjoying a macaron, I tried to maintain the outward atmosphere of a constantly dangerous and wicked woman.
Q9. Having portrayed Mok-ju, who meets a tragic end, is there anything you would personally like to say to her as a final message?
-Mok-ju, in your next life I hope you are born into a normal family and live rightly. I hope you build a happy home, have children and live peacefully together.
Q10. With the series ending, is there a role or genre you'd like to try next, and how would you like the public to remember you?
-I don't know when or with whom I'll next meet a new character or work, but I'll be greeting you with projects I've already filmed. I'll work to show new and diverse sides, so please watch over me and give lots of interest and love. Thank you.
[OSEN]