Actress Lee Yoo Mi spoke about the intense physical and emotional preparation she underwent to play Hee-soo, a survivor of domestic abuse, in the new Netflix original series While you were there.
In an interview with iMBC held at a bar in Jongno, Seoul, on November 11, Lee shared insights into the role and the efforts he made to fully embody the character.
The series, which premiered Nov. 7, follows two women trapped in a brutal reality where they must kill or be killed. Lee Yoo Mi plays Hee-soo, a woman suffering from domestic violence at the hands of her husband Jin-pyo (played by Jang Seung Jo), who ultimately decides to take action with the help of another woman, Eun-soo (played by Jeon So Nee).
Lee explained his motivation for accepting the role, stating: “I wanted to save Hee-soo through my performance and make her happy. As the story progresses, she faces many choices and conflicts. In the end, I wanted viewers to see and feel that every choice Hee-soo made was right. That was the mindset I had while playing her.”
She explained in detail how she approached the performance: “When I had lines, I used them to express emotions. But in silent scenes, I focused on facial expressions, physical condition and movements to convey Hee-soo’s inner state. I constantly thought about how to align myself more with her.”
One of the most drastic preparations Lee Yoo Mi undertook was to lose weight to appear more fragile and vulnerable. “There’s a scene where Hee-soo eats with Jin-pyo, and it’s not exactly a warm, comforting meal. I felt forced and tense. To visually represent Hee-soo’s fragility, I lost weight from my usual 41-42kg down to around 36-37kg.”
He further explained, “I tried to sleep a lot so as not to crave food, and of course I eat less during filming. At a certain point, I felt that my body had adapted to this role: it wasn’t as difficult as I expected.”
Lee also praised the makeup and styling team, saying: “Makeup is like another costume for an actor. Looking in the mirror after applying makeup helped me visualize Hee-soo better and immerse myself more deeply in the role.”
His transformation for While you were there she is applauded not only for her visual impact, but for the emotional intensity she brings to a heartbreaking yet powerful role. Lee Yoo Mi’s dedication once again proves her depth as an actress, adding another memorable performance to her growing body of work.
Sources: Daum
