[Interview] 'Sejamae' Jang Yoon-joo "I want to act naturally, stylishly, and freely" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actress Jang Yoon-joo showed a changed mindset as an actress.

On the 20th, Jang Yoon-joo shared various stories about the film Three Sisters (director Lee Seung-won) during a video interview.

Three Sisters is a film depicting the explosive story of three sisters?one a facade full of pretense, another timid, and the last a troublemaker?unraveling the knots of memories they could not speak about. Actresses Moon So-ri, Kim Sun-young, and Jang Yoon-joo played the sisters.

The film was selected for the Jeonju International Film Festival’s ‘Jeonju Cinema Project 2020’ and the 25th Busan International Film Festival’s ‘Korean Cinema Today - Panorama’ section. It was directed by Lee Seung-won, who gained attention at film festivals with Happy Birthday and Communication and Lies.

Jang Yoon-joo plays Mi-ok, the youngest sister and a playwright in a slump. Mi-ok drinks every day and is intoxicated 365 days a year. Her blunt and unrestrained words and actions often embarrass those around her, but she is not hateful.

On this day, Jang Yoon-joo said, “I thought a lot about meeting and loving Mi-ok. As a writer, she has never been recognized by the world. Being with people in the theater world and sharing various stories, drinking was inevitable, and she might have had the illusion that writing after drinking made her work look better.”

She continued, “She was not loved as a child and grew up in a violent household. She is a character who lacks confidence in her work. I felt sorry for Mi-ok, who considers relying on alcohol as the joy of life, and I acted with love.”

Jang Yoon-joo revealed that she went through much contemplation before picking up a movie script again after Veteran (2015). In the meantime, she got married and had a child, gaining more emotions.

She said, “After Veteran, I received quite a few acting offers, but I couldn’t decide on roles easily. I wasn’t a passionate 20-something, so I thought carefully. I wasn’t confident as an actress.”

After filming Three Sisters, Jang Yoon-joo said, “After loving the character with all my heart, I gained confidence. If I’m not going to keep rejecting projects, I think it’s okay to try acting. I gained confidence to get familiar with various roles.”

Jang Yoon-joo faced many questions before deciding to appear in Three Sisters. She said, “I happened to turn on the TV and saw a documentary about Three Sisters. After watching it, I felt I had to do the film. I thought someone should deliver that message.”

Playing the youngest sister among the three, Jang Yoon-joo worked alongside Kim Sun-young as the eldest and Moon So-ri as the second sister. Although she is a veteran model, her acting experience was not very long, so she relied heavily on the two actresses.

“It was a big opportunity to act with Moon So-ri and Kim Sun-young. It was a great learning experience on set. Moon So-ri also served as co-producer, carefully overseeing the film and attending to detailed needs. Kim Sun-young’s powerful energy surprised me. Her acting was different in every scene. The explosive power that came out instinctively was tremendous. Those aspects were very attractive.”

She added, “The two actresses also had different charms as people. Moon So-ri is delicate, and Kim Sun-young is clumsy in expression but warm-hearted. Throughout the work, it felt like a real family. The set had a cozy, family-like atmosphere, as if we should gather and eat rice cake soup together. It was enjoyable and happy.”

Will we continue to see actress Jang Yoon-joo? She laughed and said, “I’m in the process of getting to know acting.” She added, “I’m gradually getting closer. I’m heading toward sincerity. I will do my best in my work and understand and love the characters.”

She showed a cautious attitude about her future path. Jang Yoon-joo said, “Just as clothes have owners, perhaps works have connections. Whether independent films or commercial films, I want to try them all if I get the chance.”

Jang Yoon-joo said calmly, “I want to continue working on projects that produce results, whether films or photos. Even if I want to shed my model image, I know it won’t come off.” She laughed and added, “I might still be active as a model when needed. I’m the textbook of walking.”

She said, “I want to work freely, naturally, and stylishly while meeting people and working.”

Regarding presenting a film in dark theaters amid COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection), Jang Yoon-joo said, “Many spaces, not just movie theaters, are closed. We couldn’t just wait for the situation to improve. I heard Three Sisters is the first Korean film to open this year, and I’m grateful for the courageous choice.”

She urged, “I hope people enjoy the film more focused and grandly in theaters and feel the warmth of the film.”

Photo = Little Big Pictures, ESTeem Entertainment