KARA actress and singer Kang Ji-young recalled events from 12 years ago.
On the 15th episode of MBC entertainment show Radio Star, the film First Ride team appeared. Actors Kang Ha-neul, Kang Ji-young, Kim Young-kwang and others appeared. The hosts asked them to explain the film. Kang Ji-young said, "My role is a Korean part-time worker."
Then Kang Ha-neul said, "Our movie is just fun when you look at Cha Eun-woo. It just makes you laugh," and Kim Young-kwang said, "I'm really grateful to Cha Eun-woo. Although he is now serving in the military, I think just having him appear in our film is a great help," promoting the film with Cha Eun-woo's face and drawing laughter.
Kang Ji-young has a strong "idol" image in Korea, but in Japan she has already been successful as an actor alongside Shim Eun-kyung. In particular, Kang Ji-young entered Japan at the age of 15, and unexpectedly advanced there amid a sensational popularity after the song "Mister" created a huge reaction.
Kang Ji-young said, "I appeared in a film and learned that my name, Ji-young, when written in hanja can be read as 'Chie' in Japanese. So in Japan I was once mistaken for a rookie actress and was cast," adding, "There was also a time I played seven roles by myself in Japan. Among the KARA members I speak Japanese best, so when giving lines the members direct the most to me," revealing her Japanese skills. She also surprised people by sharing her script to perfectly realize the role.
Kang Ji-young even had fans of hers in the film. Kang Ji-young said, "The director said he was a KARA fan, so I gave him a signed KARA CD. When I asked what to prepare for the character, he said I didn't have to do anything. He really made everything comfortable for me," expressing her gratitude.
Kang Ha-neul was also a longtime fan of KARA. Kang Ha-neul said, "I was a huge KARA fan. I was a fan since high school before they debuted. I said I was a fan during '30 Day' and even got an autograph," he said. Kang Ji-young boasted of her closeness with him, saying, "So now I'm Kang Ha-neul's Japanese teacher."
Kang Ha-neul said, "Seeing her on set, she was really good at Japanese. At the wrap party I texted asking if she could correct or teach me if I wrote Japanese in a text. But she really teaches well," adding, "It's just that I'm a poor student, so every time I send a text it's overwhelming," as he blamed his limited skills.
Meanwhile, Kang Ji-young deliberately brought up the "aegyo" associated with Radio Star from 12 years ago. At that time Kang Ji-young was only 19 and a minor, but she cried that she couldn't do aegyo, and letting her leave like that drew heavy public criticism. Kang Ji-young said, "After that I wondered what aegyo was that made me suffer, so I studied it," then showed the aegyo she had prepared.
Kim Gu-ra asked, "Don't they make you do aegyo in Japan?" and Kang Ji-young, saying, "In Japan they actually don't make you do rude things," and "I'm sorry," looked flustered, which in turn made Kim Gu-ra feel rather hurt and the studio atmosphere took an unexpected turn.
[Photo source] MBC entertainment show Radio Star
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