Song Yoon-ah is famous for being sweet and sentimental, and that is a reason why she is always popular among fellow actors. Even during the interview, actress Eom Ji-won stopped by without hesitation to say hi.
And now she is taking the challenge to transform. Other than her 'evil' role in "Mister Q" back in 1998 and the movie "Jail Breakers - No. 815", this character is probably her largest change.
Song Yoon-ah will be playing the ever so confident and fearless top class scriptwriter Seo Yeong Eun in the television drama series "On Air" which is to start airing on February 27th.
"There is a scene where a top actor comes to meet the writer to apologize for turning down a role, but Seo Yeong Eun tartly says, 'Why did you come see me if you're not going to take the role', straightforwardly being displeased, even though for an actor that is the most respectful way to turn the offer down. She is that confident, has much pride, yet arrogant".
During the interview on a warm winter afternoon, Song Yoon-ah continued talking about her new image in "On Air" in her usual sweet manner, but says she changes when she arrives on set.
"It is incredibly enjoyable. The character is so honest and straightforward that it makes me feel good as well. Seo Yeong Eun's character is the type that lets everything out even though she may regret it later on, which is a lot different from the characters I have acted until now. And usually, a writer has an image of being ordinary, but she is very stylish and unique".
"On Air" portrays the production process of a drama series featuring writers, actors, producing directors, and managers. With the series being produced by the writer-PD team Kim Eun-sook and Sin Woo-cheol of "Lovers", it has been gathering much attention. Song Yoon-ah's role is in a way a portrayal of writer Kim Eun Sook herself.
"I realized that the character I saw when I first read the script is Writer Kim. Even her speech style is the same. Seo Yeong Eun's mother in the series runs a restaurant which is the same type as Writer Kim, and her great speech skills are the same as her, too".
Seo Yeong Eun's character is no exception to top actors. She works with them unavoidably out of need but always argues with the main character Oh Seung Eun (played by Kim Ha-neul).
"The staff on set are always surprised. They all thought I would have a difficult time playing such a character, but now they are to the point where they ask if it is my true character. Because I seemed to have adapted the character's speech style off the screen, they seem to be a little confused".
Another reason "On Air" is gathering the spotlight is because many of the real things that happen behind the camera are portrayed. Kim says, "I will write the script so that it is impossible to tell who the actual model is", but it seems the Netizen Investigation Team (?) will be very active once the series airs.
"Many true incidents are being portrayed. We are currently filming episode seven, but a lot of the incidents happen in reality. I also learned about different happenings that even I didn't know before".
But to keep the series entertaining, many infamous scandals are the main focus rather than pretty and clean stories. The staff is therefore being especially careful not to portray themselves too negatively.
"Because a lot of the unpleasant incidents are being emphasized, I am worried that people might think of one incident to be the whole. But the series reflects only one small portion of the entertainment industry. Regardless, I chose this series because I instantly read the script all four episodes in one sitting because it was so interesting".
Song Yoon-ah is also making a change in her appearance in the series—as a mother. Writer Seo is divorced with a son in elementary school.
"The interesting thing is the child actor's real mother is the same age as me. I was surprised since I didn't think I was at an age where marriage is late. But as mothers these days are all young and active, nothing much has changed".
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