Actor Kim Hee-seon shared her candid thoughts about the 'young-forty' controversy.
On the afternoon of the 10th at the Stanford Hotel Korea in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul, a production presentation was held for TV CHOSUN's new Monday-Tuesday drama "Because there is no next life." Actors Kim Hee-seon, Han Hye-jin, Jin Seo-yeon, Yoon Park, Heo Joon-seok and Jang In-seop attended the presentation and spoke.
"Because there is no next life" is a comic coming-of-age drama about three 41-year-old friends exhausted by the same day, the battle of child-rearing and the hamster-wheel routine of work, as they bumble their way toward a better "complete life."
In particular, the term "young-forty," which refers to 40-somethings who live youthfully, has recently become popular. However, among younger generations it is sometimes used with somewhat negative connotations. When asked about such "young-forty" ideas while portraying middle-aged romance, Heo Joon-seok joked, "Actually my face has been changing like this since third year of middle school. I faced the hardships of time early. Lately I'm happy because, regardless of 'young-forty,' I feel my face finally matches my age. I'm just 'forty-forty.'"
He added, "Doing this kind of role, in the romantic genre, made me nervous, so I managed my diet and exercised hard. We filmed the past scenes first. I wanted the past and present to contrast sharply, so I expressed it clearly, but I'm worried viewers might think, 'The past is better,' so I'm cautious and concerned. Still, all the staff shot it beautifully, so I think the transformation will come through."
Kim Hee-seon said, "I'm at the tail end of 'young-forty.' The term 'young-forty' originally didn't have that (negative) meaning, but it seems to have been somewhat distorted," adding, "But I think that. Looking too young can be counterproductive. Living appropriately for my age is both lucky and hard. How difficult is it to live ordinarily for that age?"
Then Han Hye-jin said, "Seeing (Kim Hee-seon) unnie makes me think, 'It's okay even when unnie reaches that age.' I want young people to know through our drama that being in your 40s is okay," and added, "Aren't we okay?" which drew laughter.
Meanwhile, "Because there is no next life" premieres tonight (the 10th) at 10 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN reporter Ji Hyung-jun
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