Actress Kim Yoo-jung recently spoke about the intense experience of playing a ruthless anti-hero in Tving’s drama “Dear X.”
In an interview with Xports News, she revealed moments when she was shocked by her own performance, stating, “Sometimes I watch the scenes and feel like I’ve lost my short-term memory. I can’t even remember certain emotions because they were so shocking. Seeing myself act so cruelly towards Huh In-kang (played by Hwang In-yeop) surprised me many times.”
“Dear X” tells the story of Baek Ah-jin, a woman who wears a mask to climb the social ladder from the depths of hell, crushing anyone who gets in her way. Kim Yoo-jung’s performance as Ah-jin was acclaimed as her most intense and transformative role to date, earning praise as a “newly discovered side of Kim Yoo-jung”.
Reflecting on the most challenging scenes, Kim Yoo-jung explained that her difficulty came not from acting itself, but from hiding personal emotions in moments of sadness. He said, “The scenes where Huh In-kang and his grandmother leave were emotionally heavy. It’s not just Ah-jin who feels pain, anyone in that situation would feel pain. It was difficult to express these layers while staying true to the character.”
Ah-jin is described as a sociopath, who removes obstacles without hesitation. When asked how she handled her mental state while playing such a dark character, Kim Yoo-jung admitted, “I still don’t know how to handle it. It remains a challenge for me.” He also noted that she deliberately kept herself separate from Ah-jin, ensuring that her personal emotions remained intact despite the character’s cruelty.
Behind the scenes, Kim Yoo-jung’s professionalism extended to the young actors on set. He personally supervised the psychological support of the child actor playing his younger counterpart, Giso-yu, working with the directors and consultants on set to provide a safe environment. She shared, “I realized from my experiences as a child actor that unaddressed emotions can leave a lasting impact. I wanted to ensure that young actors received proper guidance.”
Despite the drama’s dark themes, Kim Yoo-jung praised the supportive atmosphere on set. She said the directors, Lee Eung-bok and Park So-hyun, maintained open communication, allowing her to safeguard her personal space and feel grateful for the environment.
Sources: Xports News, Tving
