[Limelight] The Path of an Actor, The Way of Acting

Movie 'New Year's Eve' Lee Yeon-hee
Worried if she's doing well since late 20s, changed agency for actor growth
"Now trying to navigate on my own... similar to 'Jina' finding her identity"

The omnibus film New Year's Eve is a case of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Although it features a large cast of famous actors, four loosely connected stories are haphazardly intertwined. Each one awkwardly creates conflict and resolves it simplistically. There is no clear overarching theme. It merely urges viewers to quickly forget bad experiences and start anew with fresh determination.

Jina, played by Lee Yeon-hee, is no different. After being dumped by her boyfriend (Choi Si-won), she impulsively leaves for Argentina. At Iguazu Falls, she screams at the top of her lungs, washing away her pain completely. There is no wandering or conflict in the subsequent plot. Her boyfriend’s anger inexplicably subsides, and a crisis at work is resolved with a single promise to work harder. The story ends with her growing closer to Jaeheon (Yoo Yeon-seok), whom she meets by chance, and resolving to make a fresh start.

Lee Yeon-hee desperately tries to fill the film’s gaps with lively acting. She explains the hopelessly tangled situation with exaggerated gestures and soliloquies. She sings “Besame Mucho” as an expression of new love and dances the tango to upbeat music. This is an extension of the romantic comedy style she repeatedly showed in her twenties. Although her acting has improved, she remains trapped within the framework she created for herself.

The reason she was not called to Chungmuro for six years after Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island (2014) lies here. She put an end to acting controversies with the drama Miss Korea (2013) and the film Marriage Blue (2013). However, she has been unable to branch out into other genres, putting her position at risk. This film may only deepen the prejudice that she remains confined to romantic comedies.

Lee Yeon-hee is aware of the crisis she faces. Recently, she left SM Entertainment, where she had been for 19 years, and settled at VAST Entertainment, home to actor Hyun Bin. She said, “I wanted to bring about a new change. It wasn’t easy to leave those who cared for me dearly, but I thought it was time to take a new path. I also have a strong desire to grow as an actress.”

- What exactly does this new change entail?

“Since my late twenties, I’ve had doubts about whether I was walking the path of an actress well. It was a professional concern. I was deeply immersed for quite a while, but there wasn’t much else I could do besides acting. I’m grateful to those who helped me do this. Now, I’m trying to navigate on my own. I’m letting go of burdens and a sense of crisis and accepting acting more comfortably.”

- That sounds like a positive change.

“I often think about what my strengths are. Right now, I think it’s composure. I’m ready to enjoy whatever comes my way. I want to give my best at everything.”

- Expanding your acting range should be a top priority. Despite your long career, you tend to stay within lively or innocent roles.

“I agree. I hope my next project, director Noh Deok’s sci-fi film Manseon, will be a starting point. I remember my first meeting with director Noh Deok. I was worried about how he would perceive my fixed image, so I candidly shared my thoughts. Fortunately, he said I seemed eager to challenge new genres. When he said I seemed to be yearning for something, I almost burst into tears. I won’t forget that feeling and will try to pioneer a new path. If I get the chance, I’d also like to do a mystery thriller. I’m very interested?I never miss watching the weekly investigative program Unanswered Questions.”

- You seem to share many similarities with Jina, who is searching for her identity.

“That’s right. When I read the script, I focused on the part about struggling despite trying hard. Jina lives devotedly looking only at her boyfriend, but one day she is suddenly dumped. Nothing would seem to go right. She would want to run away anywhere. I’ve been there too. In a foreign land, I gazed blankly at the vast natural scenery and the happiness of others to sort out my complicated feelings. It was comforting because no one knew me there.”

- When did you go through that?

“When I was 25. I had been in the entertainment industry and worked nonstop for several years. At some point, I got exhausted. Everything felt overwhelming. I couldn’t say that I was struggling because people around me were having a hard time because of me. I suffered alone and was crushed by the pressure. I was scared of the version of myself that resented someone. So I went alone to France. Even now, I think it was a good choice. Watching people who enjoy life leisurely gave me a lot of positive energy. I reset my life goals. Although it’s difficult to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, I highly recommend it. Take precious time to regain peace of mind.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.