Lee Se Young - Allure 2021 Interview

Disclaimer: Article is roughly translated. It may contain inaccuracies. Please pardon any mistakes.

NON, JE NE REGRETTE RIEN / LEE SE YOUNG

Lee Se Young lives her life without any impatience or resentment.

“I don’t regret anything.”

Just like in Édith Piaf’s song.

Q: Meeting you somehow makes me check the time first. It must be because of the drama Kairos. If you weren’t at this shoot right now, what do you think you’d be doing?

A: I’d probably be at home watching Netflix. Since the drama filming ended, I’ve mostly been staying at home. I’ve started reading again because I hadn’t been reading much, I play with my cat, clean the house, and I even bought some sweet potatoes and made pickled garlic cloves.

Q: You made pickles?

A: Yes, I made them using Baek Jong Won’s all-purpose seasoning sauce, so it’s really easy. When I have guests over later, I plan to brag that I made them myself.

Q: While watching Kairos, I felt that life ultimately comes down to choices. This photo shoot and interview today must also be your choice, right? Why did you choose to do it?

A: I always want to show different sides of myself through photoshoots. Singers get to try various concepts with each album, but for actors, our image is often limited to what appears in dramas or commercials. By trying out different concepts in photoshoots, I can think, “I’ve done something like this before,” and it also gives me the courage to try bolder ones later. After I cut my hair this time, a lot of people said, “You had this kind of look?” But my face is still the same, isn’t it? If I don’t show it, people won’t know.

Q: I heard that you cut your hair for the role that it almost became a good-deed story. It seems that an actress cutting her hair short is still considered bold.

A: I think it has to be a full shave to really count as bold. (laughs) I even told the director I could do a half-shave, but he said no. Even for this haircut, I had to persuade him. I just went to the first script reading with my hair already cut.

Q: Thanks to that, you ended up with a round, mushroom-like haircut, and your character Ae Ri felt more realistic on screen.

A: Ae Ri is an ordinary person, but seeing her take care of her sick mother while studying makes her quite special. I thought that if she seemed to be putting her energy into anything other than earning money, it might break the viewer’s immersion. I know the hard work people put into preparing for civil service exams.

Q: On the other hand, Ae Ri is also a happy person. She has a loving mother and two close friends.

A: That’s right. In that way, I think she’s similar to me. Even though my family and I bicker sometimes, we always get along well. I don’t have many friends, but I do have three best friends.

Q: Kairos was a time-slip drama where everything happened at 10:33 p.m. I really liked the final message. It says that if you’ve been living only for that one minute at 10:33, then from now on, you should live each hour sincerely, right?

A: Sung Rok oppa (Shin Sung Rok) was worried that the line might be too cheesy, but it really resonated with me. To live well in the future, you have to be sincere in the present. That was the message. It was really relatable.

Q: In the end, the characters all find their places within the repeating timeline. The writer even said, “Because the story shows characters in parallel timelines, a month apart, it’s as if every actor played two roles.” Do you agree with that?

A: I think that’s true, since Ae Ri from the past and Ae Ri from the future keep switching back and forth. But compared to the other actors, it was probably a bit easier for me. On set, I’d be laughing and chatting with everyone, but right before filming, I’d quietly think about the backstory, look over the script, and focus on my emotions.

Q: Did any particular thoughts come to mind as the last year ended and this new one began?

A: When I was a teenager, I used to set very specific goals. This time, I just want to live a better year than the last. I also hope COVID will ease. I hope I can spend more time with my family. My goal this year is to arrive about 15 minutes early to any appointment. I try not to set overly ambitious goals, but I was late today.

Q: It’s okay, it was because of the heavy snow. By the way, is there a moment in your life you’d like to go back to?

A: I don’t have any regrets. There may have been things I felt could’ve been better, but I believe I did my best at the time, so even if I went back now, there’s nothing more I could do. I tell myself not to regret. Even if I fall short, as long as I do my best, that’s enough. The rest, I just have to accept it.

Q: I came across an unusual story about you. Your mother had you start acting when you were young because she thought becoming famous might help prevent kidnapping. Is that true?

A: Yes, it’s true. She thought that if my face became known, it would be easier to secure witness statements (in case something happened).

Q: That’s quite a unique solution. There were a lot of kidnapping cases back then.

A: I think I take after my mother in that way. She’s even prettier than I am.

Q: Do you still remember following your mom when you first started as a child actor?

A: Yes. I remember being cut from roles because I couldn’t act well or I couldn’t dance. But once I started understanding things better, I became more ambitious. When I was doing extra or background roles, I’d see the kids who had lines or got camera shots, and apparently I’d go up to the person who looked like they were in charge and say, “That kid has lines, but I don’t?”

Q: When did you personally choose to do acting?

A: I think I started finding it fun around nine years old, when people began complimenting me. I’d go to auditions and would be teaching the other kids and showing off, even though I wasn’t that good myself (laughs). That’s when I started getting ambitious and going to auditions more eagerly. From that point on, I think it was really my own will.

Q: Even back then, you did some interesting projects as a child actor. I really like the movie Lovely Rivals. It was a rated 15+ movie, and you must have been around thirteen at the time, right?

A: I only understood what kind of movie it really was after I grew up. When I was little, I just thought, “Oh, she’s a bold kid.” I think I acted without really knowing what it was about.

Q: Your previous works like A Korean Odyssey, Memorist, and now Kairos all have unique and intense stories. Are you drawn to such kinds of projects?

A: I think I always have the desire to do something that only I can do. In Hwayugi, I played both a zombie girl and Ah Sa Nyeo, and since I thought those were rather difficult roles, I really wanted to do them well.

Q: Your chemistry with Lee Hong Gi, who played Jeo Pal Gye, was great.

A: Hong Gi oppa’s eyes had such sincerity. There was a bit of a melodramatic line between us and nothing actually happens, but there’s this emotional connection, and his gaze was really good. Thanks to that, I was able to stay focused too.

Q: I heard you’re planning to take a break for a while. What are you going to do?

A: I say it every time, but I really think I need to rest this time. Still, if I rest for too long, I start to feel anxious.

Q: For an actor, one’s acting ability is probably the most essential skill. But after experiencing it yourself, what else do you think is important?

A: Using your body, maybe? First of all, you need good stamina. Especially for lead roles, I think physical endurance is really important. Other than that, I think it’s enough to just act well.

Q: Do you think it’s possible to reach a certain level of mastery in acting?

A: I think there definitely are people like that. Many of our country’s veteran actors. And when you look at people like Al Pacino or Robert De Niro, you can clearly see it.

Q: Is it your goal to become that kind of actor as well?

A: Of course. But even if I can never fully reach that level, it’s still my profession, so I have a responsibility to keep striving toward it. Even if it’s something I can never achieve completely.

Q: Do you think acting is a lifelong career for you?

A: Even if I ever want to try something else, I don’t think I’d quit acting to do it. Since I was young, I’ve always thought acting is something I’ll do for life. But if I stop getting projects, then as an actor, I’m basically unemployed. In that case, I’d have to make a living somehow, even if it means working part-time at a convenience store. I’ve always kept that in mind. That’s why I’m always open to try other jobs.

Q: Meeting you today, you seem very cheerful and down-to-earth. I think you’d be great in a sitcom.

A: I’d love that! I’m just waiting for the right time. Please contact me.

Q: You’ve been in front of the camera since you were very young. Are you comfortable with any kind of camera now?

A: I think it depends. Usually, I don’t get nervous, but sometimes there’s a moment when I suddenly forget how to breathe. I don’t even know how to swallow between lines. There are times when I get really nervous, especially when I’m not feeling well. That’s why stamina is always the most important thing. A sound mind in a sound body.

Q: People often have this notion that unhappy artists leave behind masterpieces.

A: That’s true. There are people like that. But my goal is to live peacefully and for a long time. I just want to live honestly and with a clear conscience.

Q: What’s the most consistent effort you’ve made in order to become a good actor?

A: I’m not afraid of looking foolish. I’ve never been. The only time I might feel afraid of that is when the character I’m playing can’t appear to be foolish. Like when she has to remain dignified until the end. In that case, I need to protect that character. I don’t think I ever try to dress myself up or make myself look better.

Q: We live in an age where everything can be made to look perfect [t/n: They used the term that literally means “to package something up to make it look presentable.”]. And people often prefer those idealized images.

A: But in the end, you have to take the wrapping off, right? And you can’t be disappointed then. How I am right now is who I really am. There’s no need to show what doesn’t have to be shown, but also no need to show things on purpose. When I’m with friends or staff, I dance the way I usually do and sing weird songs. Of course, I don’t post those on Instagram. That would be like unwrapping the packaging for no reason, down to the innermost layer. Still, when I’m with the people who matter to me, I want them to laugh.

Q: Is there something about you that people still don’t really know?

A: Not really. I know I need to be careful with my behavior and words, and I try to be. Even when acting, if the script says “baraeyo” (I hope), I pronounce it as “barayo.” I try to keep smiling as much as I can.

[t/n: “바래요 (baraeyo)” and “바라요 (barayo)” both mean “I hope,” but “바라요 (barayo)” is the correct standard form.]

Q: What kind of feelings are behind the smile you always have on your face?

A: I’m sure there are probably people who come to see me on set because they’re curious about me and if I acted cold toward them, wouldn’t that make them feel upset? That’s why I try to stay cheerful. Then they feel good. I just want to be someone I can be proud of. I often get asked if I read comments, and if I see ones saying, “She seems cold (unfriendly),” I try to work on my facial expressions. I even read the negative comments. When I do, I think about what I could fix.

Q: You actually read the comments… but there must be ones that make you happy too, right?

A: I ignore the happy ones. (laughs) Instead of feeling the emotions, I just note the parts I could improve. I tell myself, “It’s fine, I can just change it.” I think as I’ve lived as an adult, I’ve become more centered. I don’t get swayed by every little thing anymore. Even in situations where I can’t help but feel impatient, I try to focus on something else I can do.

Q: Hearing you say that, it sounds like the 2021 version of Lee Se Young doesn’t have anything to worry about.

A: I don’t really have any worries or concerns. Ah, these days I’m into soccer. I joined a futsal team, but we can’t play right now because of COVID-19. I hope things get better soon so we can play again. I haven’t been doing it for long, so my dribbling skills aren’t great, but the team can’t function without me. (laughs) Other than that, I’m doing everything I want to do. I’m happy.

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