[Interview] Cheon Woo-hee "Satisfied with the Complete Female Narrative from Start to Finish"

Movie 'Anchor' Sarah Role
"Marriage and Pregnancy? Focusing on What I Want at This Moment"
"Acting with Lee Hyeyoung's Fandom"

Cheon Woo-hee / Photo by Ace Maker Movie Works

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "What meaning does competition really have? Acting competitively while being conscious of fellow actors to secure roles does not align with my values."

On the morning of the 13th, Cheon Woo-hee spoke with Asia Economy via video call, saying, "People often say actors live in competition, but that is merely an external perspective based on social evaluation. I believe there is a destined connection to each work."

The upcoming film "Anchor" (directed by Jung Ji-yeon), releasing on the 20th, deals with the narrative of suffering women. It depicts a strange series of events after a top anchor at a broadcasting station, Sera, receives a tip-off call asking her to investigate someone who claims they will kill her. Cheon Woo-hee leads the story as the protagonist, Sera.

Cheon Woo-hee chose "Anchor" over the many scripts flooding in. She said, "It was a work that required considerable energy," but added, "I feel great satisfaction in portraying a female narrative from start to finish. I tend to feel a sense of thrill and fulfillment when I successfully perform roles that carry a lot of pressure."

"When I first read the script, I could clearly visualize the scenes in my mind. When the imagined images are well realized on set, they tend to be well expressed through acting. It was important to connect the emotional graph smoothly. After fully understanding the situation and emotions, gradually expressing desire and feelings more intensely would effectively convey empathy."

To become an "Anchor," she received help from former announcer Kim Min-jung. Cheon Woo-hee said, "I noticed slight changes in news reports, field coverage, and brief news segments, and tried to express subtle tonal differences. Former announcer Kim came to the set to observe my gaze and lines. She meticulously pointed out my voice projection and tone."

Photo by Ace Maker Movie Works

For the professional image of a 9-year anchor, Cheon Woo-hee also cut her long hair. "When I cut it short, the reactions around me were positive. People said I looked younger, so I cut it even shorter. In my previous works, I mostly acted without makeup, but this time I paid attention to makeup and costumes for a mature appearance."

Lee Hye-young plays So-jung, Sera's mother in the film, delivering a seasoned performance. The film's rare two-woman play structure in Chungmuro is impressive. Cheon Woo-hee said with a smile, "I like Lee Hye-young as an actress, so I worked with her as a fan. I didn’t want to miss a single moment."

"She treated me not as a junior but as a fellow actor. She actively asked, 'How do you feel emotionally? I felt this way,' and together we found the rhythm the director wanted. It was like camaraderie. I felt a sense of kinship as an actor."

Regarding the conflict between mother and daughter, Sera and So-jung, Cheon Woo-hee nodded and said, "The mother-daughter relationship is one of love and hate that cannot be expressed in words. They truly love each other but can also become difficult to bear." She viewed, "The root of Sera’s lack and desire might be similar. The need for recognition and love from her mother has extended into social and worldly desires."

Photo by Ace Maker Movie Works

"Because I know how much love my mother has given me and how much she has sacrificed for me, I think the emotions I feel are similar to Sera’s. Wouldn’t I want to fulfill her as much as I love her?"

When asked about the burdens of marriage, pregnancy, and social activities that women face, Cheon Woo-hee answered, "I reflect on myself by observing friends, seniors, and colleagues around me." She added, "I often ponder what I must do right now, at this moment, and what I truly want. I don’t think I have an answer yet. I don’t want to make any decisions at this time."

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