In a warm and engaging press conference held ahead of her fan meeting in Manila, South Korean actress Kim Ji Won, known for her standout roles in ‘Queen of Tears’, ‘Fight for My Way’, ‘Descendants of the Sun’, and ‘The Heirs’, offered the members of the press a deeper look into her life and career.
From discussing her favorite outfits to sharing touching fan interactions, Kim Ji Won revealed more about the person behind the beloved characters.
Congratulations on the success of Queen of Tears. In every episode, we were stunned by your pretty outfits. Do you have a favorite outfit on all the clothes that you wore from Queen of Tears?
Kim Ji Won: "There was a scene which I think a lot of you also know. We were shooting with Baek Hyun Woo and he was trying to save Hong Hae In from the boar chasing her. That outfit was actually one of my favorites."
What do you want to achieve in your first fanmeeting?
Kim Ji Won: "Of course, my priority is to have good memories and have a fun time with my fans."
Out of all the dramas that you have appeared in, which one would you like to recommend to your fans?
Kim Ji Won: "I'm sure that a lot of you know me through my latest project, which was Queen of Tears. Despite it being new, I just want to recommend it again for everyone to rewatch the drama."
Can you share with us a fan interaction that has been memorable or meaningful to you?
Kim Ji Won: "It's my first time to be on a fanmeet and of course, meeting my fans as an actress, seeing them waving their banners and welcoming me makes me very happy. Some of the fans are also screaming the name that I was portraying in my dramas which really touched my heart."
Having been in the industry for more than a decade, what do you consider your biggest achievement in your acting career so far?
Kim Ji Won: "It's very fulfilling that I get to (become an actress), and as I mentioned earlier, a lot of the fans remember the name of the character's roles that I've portrayed in my previous dramas. I slowly realized that instead of being shown as Kim Ji Won myself, you're appreciating all the different roles that I've been portraying (so far). This makes me feel fulfilled as an actress."
Speaking of being an actress, what preparations do you usually make before you shoot for a new series because your chemistry with your fellow actors is top-notch?
Kim Ji Won: "Nothing very special, I really study my script very well, and not only that. I do get into a lot of communications and talk to my directors to get the goals for my dramas. And I'm very blessed and lucky to have good staff, good production team, and also good partner actors and actresses."
You've mostly done romance, and you're very very good at it. If you could pick a different genre, what would you pick?
Kim Ji Won: "It's actually one of the biggest questions I've been receiving from a lot of people, which I'm also thinking a lot about. Of course, romantic comedy is really one of my favorites but if I will be given the chance to pick another genre, (I'll choose) something very different like a thriller maybe? And I believe my fans will be amazed to see me in a different role, doing a totally different genre."
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of the entertainment industry?
Kim Ji Won: "Actually, looking for a hobby is very difficult so I'm trying to engage myself in different things that will bring me joy. But lately, I've been having fun making a rose using my Lego sets. It's still a work in progress, but once I'm done with this, I will go back and complete my Lego rose."
Are there any projects or collaborations that you are particularly excited about?
Kim Ji Won: "As of now the priority is to complete (this fanmeeting) with fun memories, along with my fans across Asia."
Out of all the roles that you have played on-screen, which one left the biggest mark on you right now as Kim Ji Won?
Kim Ji Won: "Probably would be 'The Heirs' because that was the first time that I've been portraying a very strong character. A little bit of an antagonist character as well (as Yoo Rahel). And I think it was the drama that people started knowing me after I played Yoo Rahel in the Heirs."
Speaking of characters, from the powerful Tanya's curse scene from 'Arthdal Chronicles', the heartbreaking drunk confrontation scene from 'Lovestruck in the City', the legendary 'worship me' scene from 'My Liberation Notes', to the impossibly agonizing crying scene from 'Queen of Tears', you carried out all of these famous crying scenes with such prowess and ability to affect your viewers. How do you deliver such powerful crying scenes and what is your preparation process, leading to delivering these scenes?
Kim Ji Won: "Well the preparation that I've been doing is, every time I'm confronted with those kind of scenes where I have to pour out a lot of my emotions on it, I do think a lot on how I can portray it well and carry out the scene really well. But I'm very thankful once again because we have good staff, good directors, and good partner actors that when I go on the scene ready for the shooting itself, they really do help and talk to me a lot on how to carry it on smoothly so I can pour out everything that I can to make that scene happen."
What is your favorite song on repeat now on your playlist?
Kim Ji Won: "Lately I've been listening a lot to Aespa and New Jeans."
How do you feel about your first-ever fan meeting and meeting your fans across Asia?
Kim Ji Won: "To be honest, I'm very amused and surprised. Do you guys know pen pal? Wherein you meet the people you are writing to? It's similar to this when coming to fan meetings. So it may probably be the first time that the fans are seeing me, but also it's my first time seeing them. I'm meeting finally those who I have been sending my pen pal letters to. It's very surprising, thrilling, and heart-touching."
Do you still feel pressure when it comes to taking on new roles?
Kim Ji Won: "I always feel pressure but I look at it with a very positive mind because with this pressure, I get to have more responsibility that motivates me to work harder."
If you were not an actress, what do you think you would be doing now?
Kim Ji Won: "Before, when this was asked, actually my childhood dream was to become a teacher for kindergarten students, but that was before. But now, reflecting on this current era, I'll probably be an emoticon creator."
A lot of people enjoyed binge-watching your K-drama, what drama do you think is your comfort drama and what series or drama have you watched lately?
Kim Ji Won: "Lately I've been watching a lot of dramas and different movies but if you were going to ask me to choose just one that gives me comfort, it would have to be the 'Silver Linings Playbook'. And also I do enjoy watching funny sitcoms to give me some kind of relaxation as well."
Can you describe the most challenging role or project that you have taken on and how did you approach it?
Kim Ji Won: "One of the most challenging projects that I did would probably be Queen of Tears. When I got that script around three months prior to filming, I studied it every single day. Not only that, I had to meet the directors, talk to them, and when we were doing the script reading with my co-actors and co-actresses, it felt a lot easier to understand, relate, and portray my character very well."
Ji Won also gave a message to her Filipino fans after the press conference, saying: "In a while, we'll finally meet, all my Filipino fans. Actually, I'm very thrilled, I'm very excited to see you all. I hope we can make a lot of good memories together and I wish you guys won't get sick and stay healthy. See you later!"
Words by Charlene Jaramilla
