[INTERVIEW] Ko Hyun-joung - Part 2

You were chosen as the celebrity with the best skin in 1993 and you hold the title even till today. What's your secret?
Ko Hyun-joung (Ko): It's so difficult. I'm practically dying. But I can't give up on it. (laugh) It doesn't improve on its own. I go to the dermatologist and get regular checkups. What I can say to you though is I'm a bit luckier in the sense that my skin is better than the effort I put into it. I don't have breakouts or anything. But that doesn't mean I can stop trying. Like I've said before, I put in the effort in my daily life too such as not turning on the heater in the car during winter to help my skin avoid minute dust or from getting dry. It's our job as actors to put in certain efforts since our work is aimed for viewing by the public. And I actually don't look at the mirror often. I try and win people over with my acting. (laugh) I'll try to make my eyes sparkle more so people will notice my skin less.

The acting you did with your eyebrows in TV series "Queen Seon-deok" became a sensation. Did you practice it?
Ko: To tell the truth, the hair piece I was wearing was so heavy that it kept tilting forward so I was actually trying to put it back into place by moving my eyebrows. Some people asked if I practiced in front of a mirror but it doesn't come with practice and you don't know from which angle which camera will be shooting you.

During the many years you've spent being an actress, have you thought of what the identity of an 'actress' is versus a male actor? And if you have, what do you think it is?
Ko: Well, I don't think there is any difference because I'm a woman. I just feel sorry for all actors including myself because while there are many advantages to the job, there are also moments when an actor has to go under disguise and make their body fit into a certain costume or attire. I tend to have my wardrobe fit for me because I don't know why I should not be able to eat what I want to be able to fit myself into such clothes. But of course, there have been times when I have had to bear with it... making myself skinnier to fit myself into a clothing while carrying around medication for anemia. I guess you could say it's a characteristic of this job.

10: "Actresses" was invited to compete in the Panorama category of the Berlin Film Festival. Do you have the desire to attend these international film fests?
Ko: Not really. To me, the director, staff and people around me are much more important. What's the use of stepping on a red carpet overseas?

10: What about receiving MBC's award for best actress?
Ko: Not really that either. It's actually a better deal for MBC isn't it? (laugh) I'm already receiving enough love from fans and I have shot a lot of television commercials. It's so hard to sit in a tight dress for four to five hours without being able to breathe properly. I'm also scared of stairs so I'm also afraid of going on and off stage. Of course, I may still end up going but for now, I don't even have a dress. (laugh)

10: We heard that you were in talks with a broadcaster early this year to host a talk show. I'm curious whether there is still a chance this may happen?
Ko: I think it'll depend on the outcome of "Actresses". A lot of experts in their own field put in a lot of effort to make the film happen and I think the talk show will be an extension of that. How much more honest I'll be able to be on a talk show. I had to be a good listener for "Actresses" to come up with the right reaction so I think it's similar to a talk show in that aspect. I've been in talks with a broadcaster about the show since a year ago but since it hasn't happened yet, I'm thinking maybe it isn't meant to happen.

Almost every detail about the past 20 years of your life has been published in the media. How do you feel about the media now and the public's interest?
Ko: Well, I think I'll keep staying thankful about it. If I really wanted to stay out of the public's interest, I would make it happen. But it won't happen unless I really want it to. A person who flies in a private jet and wants to travel alone may want to separate himself from the public or just want to be alone at that moment. You have to know the difference. So I think everyone figures out what they really want and one point and makes it happen afterward.

10: You've been through a lot till now and have also done a lot of work. It seems like the Ko Hyun-joung we know would be able to do whatever she wants. But is there anything that you as an actress consider an obstacle?
Ko: I don't think there is reason for anything to be an obstacle for me unless I brainwash myself in believing it is. I think anything is possible as long as you really want it.

Reporter : Choi Ji-Eun five@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr, Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr