Actor Kang Mina spoke about her feelings regarding rumors that arose after she did not participate in the group I.O.I's 10th anniversary project.
Kang Mina held an end-of-series interview on the 29th at a cafe in Ppalpan-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, for the tvN Monday-Tuesday drama See You at Work Tomorrow! (writer Kim Kyungmin, director Jo Eun-sol, planning Studio Dragon, production Studio Dragon·KROSS Pictures).
See You at Work Tomorrow! depicts the office romance of Cha Ji-yoon (Park Ji-hyun), a seventh-year worker stuck in everyday ennui, who becomes each other's irreplaceable best with her prickly boss Kang Si-woo (Seo Inguk). It realistically portrays office workers who struggle between dreams and reality amid repetitive routines and intense company life, telling stories of young people who grow in both work and love.
Kang Mina played Yoon No-ah, a fifth-year K-office worker who has a pretty appearance and a smart mind but surprises with unexpected clumsiness and candid emotional expression. After debuting with the group I.O.I and transitioning to acting, Kang Mina appeared in If Wishes Could Kill, Moonshine, Cafe Minamdang, Welcome to Samdalri, Twelve, and more. After breaking up with her boyfriend, she signaled a more self-directed life, saying she would live for herself, which added vitality to the plot.
Kang Mina completely transformed into K-office worker Yoon No-ah, shedding her image from her previous work If Wishes Could Kill. Having lost 13 kilograms to adjust her appearance, Kang Mina said, I have a habit of mumbling in my speech, so I removed that. I worked a lot with the idea of loosening my voice. Stylistically, I consulted a lot with the director and we discussed and revised many times. If you look at the early part of the drama she wore office looks like slacks and blouses, but in the latter part she wears a lot of denim.
In particular, Kang Mina said, I thought Yoon No-ah's situation was similar to mine. The core keywords were "what do I want to do now" and "which direction should I move forward." After a long relationship ended and she returned as Yoon No-ah, the people closest to her seem to grow by joining the TF team while I felt like I was being left behind, so I asked myself a lot what I really wanted to do. I think the narrative that leads her to the Senegal assignment was important for No-ah, she said, explaining the background that created the Yoon No-ah = Kang Mina formula.
Through this, Kang Mina was able to grow one step further. She said, In reality I'm timid, shy and a worrywart, but the answer Yoon No-ah found was the courage to go to Senegal because she felt she wouldn't be able to do it later. That courage became courage for me too, and I think it helped me have courage when considering my next project. The question Yoon No-ah asked—what do I want to do in the future, is the path I'm on the right one—was something I also worried about as Kang Mina while acting. I think Kang Mina grew as Yoon No-ah grew. Going to Senegal where she knows no one must be scary, but that courage became courage for me too. When choosing a project I gained the courage to try rather than worry about whether I could do it, she said.
For Kang Mina, who is focusing on her acting career, her performances in If Wishes Could Kill and See You at Work Tomorrow! were important. Those projects were released when her debut group I.O.I reunited for their 10th anniversary and held music shows and concerts. I.O.I enjoyed a successful reunion, winning number one on music shows and topping digital charts with Sudden.
When Kang Mina did not participate, some speculated that there might be discord between her and the members. But Kang Mina attended I.O.I's concert in person and ended the rumors of discord more with actions than words.
Regarding the rumors of discord raised by some, Kang Mina said, I was upset, but I also thought it could be possible. I was very upset for a while. Fans and members told me not to worry about that kind of thing, which helped me.
So will we be able to see Kang Mina on stage at I.O.I's 20th anniversary? She said, I don't know if we'll have the stamina to do it all together at the 20th anniversary. Even now my stamina is depleted so I'm not sure, and she was reserved.
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