[PHILIPPINES] Kim Ji Won Talks About First Meetings, Acting Craft During Her ‘Be My One’ Press Conference in Manila

Donning an elegant sage top-and-skirt co-ord set, actress Kim Ji Won greeted and answered questions from members of the Philippine media during an exclusive press conference held before her much-anticipated Be My One fan meeting in Manila last August 3, 2024.

This is the first time Ji Won, who has been active as an actress since 2010, is meeting her fans in Manila as part of an Asia fan meeting tour. The highly demanded tour came after the impressive success of Ji Won’s latest project, the drama series Queen of Tears, in which she starred alongside fellow A-list actor Kim Soo Hyun.

When asked how she feels about meeting her fans across Asia for the first time, Ji Won said it feels like finally meeting her pen pals. “It is probably the fans’ first time seeing me but it is also my first time meeting them. And so it is as if I am finally meeting those who I was sending my pen pal letters to, so it is very amusing and I am very thrilled and touched.”

She also added that her priority for her first fan meeting is to “have good memories and have a fun time” with her fans who call themselves DONGDENGs. (For context, Ji Won’s fans sometimes call her Kim Ding. Since she is “Ding”, her fans ended up being “DongDeng” – completing the exclamation “Ding Dong Deng!”)

True to the name of the drama that gave her her latest shot to fame, Ji Won is known for being a “queen of tears” due to her ability to deliver powerful crying scenes and effectively affect her viewers as a result. This specific acting prowess is evident in countless famous scenes from her projects: the ‘Tanya’s curse’ from Arthdal Chronicles, the drunk confrontation scene from Lovestruck in the City, the ‘Worship Me’ scene from My Liberation Notes, and the agonizing crying scenes from Queen of Tears.

Asked what her preparation process is prior to delivering such scenes, Ji Won very humbly credited the people she works with as the reason why she is able to perform well. “Every time I am confronted with those kinds of scenes where I have to pour out a lot of my emotions, I do think a lot as to how I can portray the role well and carry out the scenes well. But I am very blessed because I have a good staff, good directors, and good partner actors who help me and talk to me a lot on how to carry out [a scene] and pour out everything that I can to make that scene happen.”

She also does a lot of studying to prepare for her roles, as well as consultations with the drama directors to understand their goals for her character.

Speaking of roles, which of the many characters Ji Won played in her dramas do you think left the biggest mark on her as an actress? To the press’ delightful surprise, Ji Won said it is Rachel Yoo from the drama The Heirs. “It was the first time that I portrayed a very strong, even a little antagonistic character. I think it was the drama that made people start to know me.” 

But as for the most challenging role she has taken on by far, Ji Won easily picked Hong Hae In from Queen of Tears. “When I got the script around three months prior to my filming of the drama, I studied the script every single day. And not only that, I actually had to meet the directors and talk to them [about the role]. And so when we did the script reading with my co-actors and actresses, it was a lot easier for me to understand, relate to, and portray my character very well.”

Indeed, hard work never goes unrewarded, as demonstrated by the love and support Ji Won has been receiving from her fans around the world, who have been moved by her talent and brilliance as an actress.

Asked what she considers her biggest achievement as an actress so far, Ji Won said she feels most fulfilled as an artist every time her fans remember the name of the character roles she previously played. “I realized that instead of being shown as Kim Ji Won myself, [the fans] are appreciating the different roles I have been portraying.”

And Ji Won still has a lot to show the world. She shared during the media con that she wants to explore the thriller genre, “something very different” from the roles she has been playing. “I believe my fans will be amazed to see [me in a] different role, totally different genre.” No doubt about this!

But have you ever wondered what Ji Won might have become if she hadn’t pursued acting? The 31-year-old actress fondly reminisced about her childhood dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher. However, with today’s technological advancements, Ji Won speculated that she might have ended up as an emoticon creator. Her creativity and artistry clearly run deep, as she also revealed her latest hobby: building rose-themed LEGO sets!

To wrap up the exclusive media conference, Ji Won delivered a sweet message to her Filipino fans: “In a while, we’ll finally meet. I am very thrilled and excited to see you. I hope we can make a lot of good memories together and I also wish that nobody gets sick. Please take care of your health, and I’ll see you later.”

The Seoul Story would like to thank Pulp Live World for the media invite!

Check out more photos from the press conference here.

Written by: Erin
Photos by: YL

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