 |
| ▲ This photo, provided by Netflix on March 7. 2024, shows actress Choi Sung-eun, co-star of film "My Name is Loh Kiwan." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, March 7 (Yonhap) -- In a cafe in
Jongno-gu on the 7th, Netflix movie "My Name is Loh Kiwan" lead actor Choi Sung-eun
recalled the first time she read the script.
She said,
"It's as gloomy and dreary as a dark alley corner, but in some aspects,
the scent of life is strong. I also felt a warm gaze."
"My Name is Loh Kiwan" portrays
the turbulent journey of Kiwan (played by Song Joong-ki), a man who escapes
from North Korea with hope for a better life and strives to obtain refugee
status in Belgium. Choi plays the role of Marie, a Korean-Belgian who falls in
love with Kiwan whom she coincidentally meets. Marie, who ruins her life after
her mother's death, unable to break free from alcohol and drugs, undergoes a
transformation after meeting Kiwan.
Choi explained,
"Marie may seem fierce and sharp on the outside, but she is a pure and
delicate friend inside, which made her charming."
Despite many
scenes where Marie speaks French and even shoots a gun, which was not easy to
digest, Choi emphasized that she "wanted to challenge herself more."
She admitted that
portraying Marie, a character who wanders to extremes, required careful
emotional acting. Scenes where she shakes due to drugs or confronts the owner
of a gambling den due to emotions are particularly noteworthy.
Choi expressed her
anxiety, saying, "I wondered if it was right to show all these
emotions" and confessed she pondered how to view not only her acting but
also the entire work.
 |
| ▲ Director Kim Hee-jin (C) and the two main actors of "My Name is Loh Kiwan," Choi Sung-eun (L) and Song Joong-ki (R), pose for photos during a press conference in Seoul on Feb. 27, 2024. (Yonhap) |
Fortunately, with
the help of co-star Song Joong-ki, she was able to deliver better performances.
She recalled that Song’s advice led to scenes that were different from the
original script.
She reflected,
"Joong-ki has the power to persuade others until they understand even when
they don't understand a scene. Watching him, I learned that it's possible to do
so."
"He is like a
solid gem. With his pure and upright passion, he pours energy into his roles
and works... I wanted to emulate his confidence in his role and the work, as
well as his ability to pour energy into both inside and out."
After the release
of "My Name is Loh Kiwan," there were mixed reactions regarding the
melodramatic line between Marie and Kiwan. Some found it unnatural that Kiwan,
who came to Belgium having lost everything, falls in love with Marie.
However, Choi questioned,
"Isn't it possible for a human to love even in extreme situations?"
"Although
they are facing very different circumstances, they share a common emotion of
being strangers. Both Marie and Kiwan feel guilt towards their mothers. They
are bonded by that. Wouldn't they feel sorry and pitiful for each other?"
 |
| ▲ Actress Choi Sung-eun, the co-star of Netflix's film "My Name is Loh Kiwan," poses for photos during a press conference in Seoul on Feb. 27, 2024. (Yonhap) |
While opinions
about the work vary, 'Logiwan' has been successful, ranking third in views in
the non-English Netflix movie category.
Choi chuckled,
saying, "Honestly, I don't have pride, and it's burdensome." Having
debuted on screen with "Start-Up" (2019), she has been building her career with
movies such as "Ten Months," "Gentleman," as well as dramas like "Beyond Evil" and "The Sound of Magic."
"I think I've
taken on roles that are important to the point where I wonder if I belong here.
Consequently, I constantly self-censor and feel grateful. Whenever I see
seniors, they always carry a sense of burden and responsibility. I will also
think about how I can share that burden."
 |
| ▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows actress Choi Sung-eun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
