Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Veteran actor Na Moon-hee continues to push boundaries to reach younger audiences
Veteran actor Na Moon-he / Courtesy of CJ ENM
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Na Moon-hee is a tireless actor who has worked steadily on the stage, in film and television for over six decades. At the age of 81, she is still eager to do something new. Last October, she debuted as a TikTok creator to reach younger audiences.
“I post at least one video per week, and I'm having a lot of fun with TikTok because I get to interact with young people, who know me better for the 'Unstoppable High Kick.' As much as my fans love my character from the 2006 sitcom, I love it too,” she said in an interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday.
In 2022, she debuted as the television host of Channel S' “Real Granny” and challenged herself to sing a score from the musical film, “Hero.” In the film, now playing in theaters, Na plays the role of Jo Maria, the mother of Korean independence movement activist Ahn Jung-geun.
Ahn was executed in a Japanese prison in China in March 1910 after he assassinated Hirobumi Ito, Japan's prime minister and the first resident general of Korea, in October 1909, a year before Japan's 1910-45 colonial occupation of Korea started.
“I have no idea why director Yoon Je-kyoon cast me, but I believe he offered me the role because he trusts me. We worked together on the 2010 film 'Harmony,' which he produced, and I have seen all his films including, 'Haeundae' and 'Ode to My Father,'” she said.
Na recalled that portraying a real-life character was a daunting task. She did an in-depth study on Jo Maria, although she found it difficult to empathize with her.
“I have tremendous respect for Jo Maria, who advised Ahn to die for the sake of Korea instead of begging for mercy. If I were in her shoes, I wouldn't be able to say so. To a mother, her child is always her baby,” she said.
Actors Na Moon-hee, right, and Jung Sung-hwa in a scene from the film, "Hero" / Courtesy of CJ ENM
Na has solidified herself as one of Korea's most beloved stars. She has wowed audiences time after time with memorable performances in films like “Miss Granny” (2014), which sold more than 8.6 million tickets in local theaters, and “I Can Speak” (2017), for which she won the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Actress.
Asked how it feels to keep playing the main protagonist in a film, Na said she wants to play smaller roles that are less stressful in the future.
“It's always amazing to do interviews and be offered prominent roles because they make me feel like I'm still a sought-after actor. Sometimes I feel really proud of myself, thinking, 'Do I have a strong presence?' However, I'd like to do more fun, lighthearted roles in the future,” she said.
“I'm afraid I won't do another musical film in my career, but I'm planning to act on stage this year.”
Na also shared her New Year's resolution to stay healthy. Her daily routine includes reading newspapers, riding 20 minutes on her stationary bike, stretching and memorizing Buddhist scriptures.
“I'm not greedy, but I still have the desire to excel at my job. I encourage seniors over 70 to look for ways to lead active lives and think of ways to contribute to society rather than just sitting around or lying down,” she said.