[Interview] Kim Ji-yeon "I Wish I Had a Friend Like Hee-do Too"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "Isn't it a happy ending in each of our lives? It's so touching that it will be remembered longer. That's why I like it."

Actress Kim Ji-yeon (Bona) recently spoke with Asia Economy via video call, reflecting on the tvN drama 'Twenty-Five Twenty-One' with these words.

Kim Ji-yeon debuted in 2016 as Bona, a member of the girl group WJSN (Cosmic Girls), and established herself as an actress through dramas such as 'The Best Hit' and 'Lingerie Girls' Generation' (2017), 'Your House Helper' (2018), and 'Oh! Samkwang Villa!' (2020). She gained significant attention and opened up greater possibilities with 'Twenty-Five Twenty-One,' which ended on the 3rd.

She gave a special meaning to youth, saying, "To me, youth is WJSN. The preparation period before debut was long, and I have many memories." She continued, "Now I have become freer. In the past, I had to get permission whenever I went somewhere, but now I understand why I did that back then. These days, I am living very contentedly."

'Twenty-Five Twenty-One' depicts the wandering and growth of five youths whose dreams were taken away in the 1998 era. Spanning 2009 and 2021, it stirred nostalgia for that time and recalled memories of first love, gaining great popularity. Kim Ji-yeon received cheers and applause for portraying Go Yu-rim, who does not lose her strong will and passion for fencing despite difficult circumstances.

Recalling the filming, Kim Ji-yeon expressed regret. "I was very emotionally involved. Seeing Yu-rim casually say things that are hard to put into words made me tear up repeatedly. I had to speak calmly on set without crying, but it was hard because tears came out."

She cited the diving scene as a memorable moment. She said, "I prepared a lot in advance. I imagined how it would feel to be on a high diving board while filming. Yu-rim's heart, having no choice but to jump, must have been painful."

Fencing athlete Go Yu-rim and Na Hee-do (played by Kim Tae-ri) are portrayed as rivals early in the drama but soon share a bond and grow together as friends. Despite difficult family circumstances, Yu-rim does her best in fencing to protect her family. She reluctantly gives up college, joins a corporate team, and ultimately decides to naturalize. Yu-rim and Hee-do are depicted as the ones who understand each other best. This solidarity between the two women was praised for breaking away from typical drama stereotypes and injecting vitality into the series.

Kim Ji-yeon said, "Hee-do is an honest and progressive girl. Facing her as Yu-rim was truly cool and lovable." She added, "I envy the relationship between Hee-do and Yu-rim. I thought many times that I wish I had a friend like Hee-do. The festival scenes and the scenes where they talk together in the classroom will remain in my memory for a long time. Those scenes will probably be remembered like my own high school days."

Kim Ji-yeon is returning to WJSN without a break. After the drama ended, she is preparing for Mnet's 'Kingdom 2,' concerts, and album production, sharing her new goals. "For the time being, I plan to focus on group activities. Of course, I will also carefully consider my next projects. I will continue to show good sides as both a singer and actress. While doing fencing, I fell deeply in love with the charm of exercise. My personal goal is to keep exercising consistently even if I get tired."

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