(Following interview 1) Actress Song Ji-hyo said she prefers showing an unadorned appearance on projects such as the film 'Salvation' and the variety show "Running Man."
Song Ji-hyo sat for an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, on the morning of the 23rd. At the interview she discussed the upcoming film 'Salvation' (directed by Shin Jun) and her recent activities.
'Salvation' is a mystery occult film in which miraculous events happen to Yeong-beom and Seon-hee after they move to the blessed land Obok-ri, and they learn that all of it is the price of someone else's misfortune. Actor Kim Byung-chul, praised for the drama 'Goblin', 'Mr. Sunshine' and 'Doctor Cha', plays Yeong-beom, and actress Song Ji-hyo, who has consistently been loved through the variety show "Running Man", plays his wife Seon-hee. In addition, Kim Hee-ra plays Chun-seo, who lived in Obok-ri, amplifying the mystery.
Song Ji-hyo focuses on portraying Seon-hee as an unadorned person who suffers an accident in the film. About this she said, "I faithfully serve the character in any film. If the character shouldn't look pretty, then not dressing up is the role, and if dressing up helps, then you should do it. In real life I prefer not dressing up. Not dressing up is also part of my 'pursuit of unadorned beauty,' so whether I look unattractive, fall apart, or appear glamorous, I don't prefer my subjective feelings about appearance. What's important is that appearance blends into the work. I didn't think about Seon-hee's appearance in 'Salvation.'"
This approach is the same in other works. In the recently released film 'House of Encounters', Song Ji-hyo also set aside cosmetic adornment. She explained, "I told them I hoped Tae-jeo would look realistic, so I asked that she not wear makeup. I wanted a character worn down by life. I also wanted Seon-hee to look like someone in real pain rather than pretty. I said I hoped she would show a life worn thin."
Is the favorable reception for her easygoing image on SBS's variety show "Running Man" a factor? Song Ji-hyo said, "Independent of 'Running Man', I've always sought comfort since I was young. Training clothes. I originally wear just sunscreen, a cotton T-shirt and carry a backpack. I'm sorry to the people who dress me up, but the time spent making me up is painful. The time to go get made up and the roughly one hour of doing makeup. Sitting still and such is very hard. I'm the type who tries to minimize that time."
Above all she emphasized, "I prefer being comfortable to looking pretty. For that I build up my stamina and do things that excite me. I prefer my internal psychology to be good rather than my external appearance to look pretty."
When she debuted in the drama 'Palace', Song Ji-hyo was admired for her mysterious looks. She laughed and said, "Actually my looks then weren't my peak. Youth was my weapon. My life's 'peak' was early in 'Running Man.' I started 'Running Man' at 30, had some life experience, and, arrogant as it may sound, I thought I had tasted the world, so I had figured out how to look pretty and how to present myself. I think my 'Running Man' days were my peak."
She added, "But through 'Running Man' I also revealed my pursuit of unadorned beauty. I used to feel I always had to go to the salon when I went on 'Running Man.' I had gone since my debut. It was such a strong, taken-for-granted routine that it became established. But in the early days of 'Running Man' there were a lot of water games. Getting hit with water in the pool and such. After going to the salon and immediately doing the opening, we'd do water games and the time spent getting prettied up drained too much stamina. Later I gave up the salon for my own stamina. I got a lot of flak for that at the time, so I'm trying to return to my original routine. I even released a statement then."
She said, "I wondered whether I should even issue a statement. But I didn't know fans wanted that so badly. I overlooked that feeling. It wasn't ignoring them so much as taking it for granted. I think I saw the show as something for me. It wasn't that I neglected how I appeared on a visible profession; I lost sight of it. Thanks to 'Running Man' I hit my peak, and at the same time being free on the show brought many memories and thoughts."
'Salvation' opens on Nov. 5.
(Continued in interview 3.)<
[Photo] Provided by Mindmark.
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