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| ▲ This photo, provided by Netflix on Aug. 27, 2024, shows Korean actress Lee Jung-eun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Aug. 27 (Yonhap) -- "Come sit closer, all of you." Inviting hesitant reporters to sit nearer, actress Lee Jung-eun eased the atmosphere with her friendly chatter and even posed the first question of the interview herself: "How did you find the show? It's been causing quite a stir, hasn't it? Haha."
During an interview held on the 27th at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno, Seoul, to celebrate the release of Netflix's new series "The Frog," Lee confidently said, "I think I've seen nearly every viewer reaction." She laughed heartily as she added, "It seems like viewer opinions are as divided as the characters Yoon Bo-min and Yoo Seong-ah, which I find really interesting."
In the series, Lee Jung-eun plays Yoon Bo-min, a veteran detective known for her sharp observational skills and investigative prowess, who earns the nickname "Seeker" but finds herself stationed at a rural police station.
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| ▲ This still photo of Netflix original series "The Frog," provided by the OTT giant, shows Korean actress Lee Jung-eun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Lee explained, "Some viewers wondered why the 'Seeker' was just observing without taking any action until the fourth episode. I hoped the audience would be curious about what exactly I was observing." She added, "If you watch it again, you'll notice what Yoon Bo-min is carefully observing. She's someone who tries to minimize the harm done to victims rather than acting hastily."
The series, translated into English as The Frog, focuses on victims who, like frogs, are unwittingly caught in unfortunate circumstances. Characters like Goo Sang-joon (played by Yoon Kye-sang), who loses everything after his motel becomes a crime scene for a serial killer, and Jeon Young-ha (played by Kim Yoon-seok), another guesthouse owner ensnared by a woman's obsessive love, are the "frogs" of the story.
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| ▲ This still photo of Netflix original series "The Frog," provided by the OTT giant, shows Korean actress Lee Jung-eun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Lee describes Yoon Bo-min as "someone who witnesses the frog that gets hit by the stone." She elaborated, "In the opening of each episode, the narration asks whether a 'thud' was heard when a large tree fell in the woods. While other narrators may represent the fallen trees, Yoon Bo-min is the person who would turn around even if there was no 'thud.'"
Reflecting on her character's role, Lee noted, "As a rookie officer, Yoon Bo-min witnessed the suffering of Goo Sang-joon's family, which gave her a clear goal to minimize the number of unjust victims. Some might have found it frustrating that she wasn't catching the culprit because she didn't want to harm the frog." She added, "When an incident occurs, people often focus solely on catching the criminal, overlooking the potential harm to innocent people. I wanted the audience to be persistently troubled by the question, 'Why isn't the Seeker doing anything?'"
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Netflix on Aug. 27, 2024, shows Korean actress Lee Jung-eun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Throughout the series, Yoon Bo-min remains calm and composed, observing the case from a step back. Although those around her praise her natural detective instincts, Lee highlighted, "Yoon Bo-min's real strength lies in her diligence, something others might not notice. For instance, she insists on checking the water tank and taking photos. Her determination and diligence are her weapons."
Lee Jung-eun, who debuted in 1991 with the play A Midsummer Night's Dream, has amassed an impressive filmography, including 40 films and 58 dramas. She has two films and three dramas set for release. She noted that she shares Yoon Bo-min's diligence. "I naturally have a lot of energy, and I tend to not notice when I'm running out of it on set because I'm not very sensitive to physical discomfort."
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Netflix on Aug. 27, 2024, shows Korean actress Lee Jung-eun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Expressing her desire to portray a police officer, she said, "One reason I wanted to play a cop at this age was that if I could successfully depict a working woman in uniform, it might create similar opportunities for younger actresses in the future. I'm starting to get offered more mature roles, but before I step away from the frontline, I want to take on as many roles as I can."
Lee, known for her versatile roles, from voicing a pig in the film Okja to playing a creepy boarding house owner in Strangers from Hell, a former judge-turned-law school professor in Law School, and a 20-something job seeker trapped in a 50-year-old body in She Who is Like Night and Day, remarked, "I feel that trying new things creates opportunities for both myself and others. As an actor, it's important to broaden the perception of what I can do. I'm gaining more confidence in tackling these diverse roles."
When asked about any roles she still wants to try, Lee mentioned the film A Hard Day. "I really like the title. I've lived my life quite gently and earnestly, but it makes me wonder what 'the end' means for me. I think about what it means to go all the way as an actor."
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| ▲ This poster of Netflix original series "The Frog," provided by the OTT giant, shows Korean actress Lee Jung-eun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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