The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Homeless women struggle to find place to spend night

  • 3

    More than dozen chaebol scions indicted on alleged drug use

  • 5

    People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions

  • 7

    Shunsuke Michieda overwhelmed by Korean fans' support for his coming-of-age film

  • 9

    Life prisoner sentenced to death for beating inmate to death

  • 11

    Kim Hyun-joo says humanity is at heart of action film 'Jung_E'

  • 13

    Korea's childbirths hit record low in Nov.

  • 15

    Korea's GDP shrinks 0.4% in Q4, 1st contraction in 10 quarters

  • 17

    Jang Keun-suk steps out of his comfort zone with 'The Bait'

  • 19

    Renaissance aesthetics meets surreal fantasy in Park Min-joon's oil paintings

  • 2

    Koreans stunned by spike in heating costs

  • 4

    Heavy snow hits Seoul, surrounding areas

  • 6

    Netflix series 'The Glory' draws focus to real school bullying

  • 8

    Inflation weighs on households

  • 10

    'I was a stock investment addict': psychiatrist seeks to help addicted people through his book

  • 12

    INTERVIEWPartnerships with Korean companies help Delta Air Lines' post-pandemic recovery

  • 14

    PHOTOSAnother day of heavy snowfall in Korea

  • 16

    Gov't to double subsidies for vulnerable households as energy bills soar

  • 18

    S. Korea to increase joint air defense exercises following N. Korean drone incursions

  • 20

    Gov't seeks to limit where child sex offenders can reside

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sat, January 28, 2023 | 08:30
Films
INTERVIEWAt age 50, Yum Jung-ah is at top of her game
Posted : 2022-09-22 14:11
Updated : 2022-09-23 15:32
Kwak Yeon-soo
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Actress Yum Jung-ah / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment
Actress Yum Jung-ah / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

Actress with 31-year career takes on challenge of musical film 'Life is Beautiful'

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Yum Jung-ah is one of the most accomplished actresses of her generation here who remains at the top of her game, but she still gets nervous before opening a movie.

Ahead of the release of her new film, "Life is Beautiful," Yum made a secret visit to a movie theater in Seoul where she sat with the audience and watched their reactions during the pre-release screening.

"I saw the film in theaters four times because I wanted to witness the audience's reaction. Although I know all the details about the plot, I cry every time I watch it. Last night, the audience members were laughing and crying. One lady in the crowd was wiping back her tears with bare hands so I wanted to hand her a tissue," she said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Wednesday.

Over the course of her three-decade career since entering the entertainment industry in 1991 as a Miss Korea pageant runner-up, Yum has solidified herself as a versatile actor capable of thriving in any genre setting.

Yum's peerless filmography is populated by numerous accolades ― highlighted by a Best Supporting Actress award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for the 2004 film, "The Big Swindle," Best Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for the 2007 film, "The Old Garden" and the 2014 film, "Cart," respectively. Nonetheless, at age 50, Yum continually proves to be a multifaceted actor on screen.

That's demonstrated by her bold decision to star in the jukebox musical film, which is a comedy-drama about a middle-aged couple, Se-yeon and Jin-bong, who embark on a journey to find Se-yeon's first love after she is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

A huge fan of "La Land" (2016) and "Mamma Mia!" (2008), Yum said she was eager to do a musical film. However, she found it more difficult than she had imagined because her dancing skills fall short of anything great. She started vocal and dance training a year before she actually started filming.

"I had to start from the basics ― learning abdominal breathing, the beat and rhythm of music. It actually felt like going back to school. I even dreamed about my vocal coach counting 'one, two, three…' because I was really anxious," she said.

She recalled that playing the scene of "The Cult of Solo" was the hardest part because it involved many actors.

Despite challenges, she was deeply satisfied with having taken the role and expressed her desire to be part of another musical film. "Music is a really good tool to induce certain emotions. It was really helpful when acting. I'd love to do another musical film in the future," she said.

She added that doing action sequences is the most difficult part of being an actor. "Right now, I'm filming the action comedy 'Cross,' which requires me to film action scenes. I have bruises all over my body," she said.

Actress Yum Jung-ah / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment
A scene from the film, "Life is Beautiful" / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

Asked why the actress constantly challenges herself, Yum said, "Because I like the script and the character, I have to get in shape for different roles. At first, directors whom I work with have no idea that I'm this bad at doing action scenes because I'm tall and I look fit. When they regret casting me, then it's too late," she laughed.

Yum recalled that filming "A Tale of Two Sisters" (2003) was the turning point for her acting career.

"When I was in my 20s, I wasn't sure if I'd still be in the business by the time I'm 50. I found pure joy in acting when filming 'A Tale of Two Sisters.' That's when I earned positive reactions from critics and audiences alike," she said.

Early in her career, Yum has portrayed wealthy, bold and unapologetic characters. Since appearing in "Cart," she has started to take on more approachable characters. "I don't feel like I need to maintain anything, and that's why I can do different films and take risks, not knowing how it's going to end up. In real life, I'm a relatable, ordinary 'ajumma,'" she said.

Now in her 50s, Yum has definitely realized her strengths and weaknesses as an actor.

"I have clear diction, but I have no control over my body. I cannot shoot action sequences in long takes," she said.

In the latest film, Se-yeon completes her bucket list before dying. Asked what is on her bucket list, Yum said she wants to travel more often with her family.

"By the time I'm 50, I thought I'd have traveled a lot. But my family travels abroad about once a year because it's really hard to adjust everyone's schedules," she said.

Yum said she doesn't ever want to go back to her 20s because too much thinking is exhausting to her. "I'd rather not because I can't live better than this. I'm still moving forward, so I don't want to reflect on my life, its highs and lows. I'm happy with where I am," she said.


Emailyeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions
2Seoul to work with Hanoi to pursue peace on Korean peninsula Seoul to work with Hanoi to pursue peace on Korean peninsula
3Cabinet ministries turn deaf ear to watchdog's advice on sexual minorities Cabinet ministries turn deaf ear to watchdog's advice on sexual minorities
4More Korean manufacturers enjoy Georgia's hospitality More Korean manufacturers enjoy Georgia's hospitality
5SK E&S retains gov't support for Barossa gas project in Australia SK E&S retains gov't support for Barossa gas project in Australia
6Superintendent of Seoul Education Office gets suspended jail term Superintendent of Seoul Education Office gets suspended jail term
7KT&G aims to become global top-tier company KT&G aims to become global top-tier company
8Indonesia celebrates 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea via virtual event Indonesia celebrates 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea via virtual event
9LGES to capitalize on US IRA, Tesla partnership to continue record earnings LGES to capitalize on US IRA, Tesla partnership to continue record earnings
10Middle East 'sales diplomacy' picks up speed Middle East 'sales diplomacy' picks up speed
Top 5 Entertainment News
1Shunsuke Michieda overwhelmed by Korean fans' support for his coming-of-age film Shunsuke Michieda overwhelmed by Korean fans' support for his coming-of-age film
2Kim Hyun-joo says humanity is at heart of action film 'Jung_E' Kim Hyun-joo says humanity is at heart of action film 'Jung_E'
3Jang Keun-suk steps out of his comfort zone with 'The Bait' Jang Keun-suk steps out of his comfort zone with 'The Bait'
4Renaissance aesthetics meets surreal fantasy in Park Min-joon's oil paintings Renaissance aesthetics meets surreal fantasy in Park Min-joon's oil paintings
5BLACKPINK sets 6 more Guinness records BLACKPINK sets 6 more Guinness records
DARKROOM
  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

  • World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

    World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

wooribank
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group