Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
Kim Jae-kyung says 'The Devil Judge' taught her to take step forward in acting career
Kim Jae-kyung played the character Oh Jin-joo in tvN's “The Devil Judge” Courtesy of Namoo Actors
By Lee Gyu-lee
By Lee Gyu-lee
Kim Jae-kyung, who debuted as a member of now-disbanded K-pop girl group Rainbow in 2009, has made a successful transition into that of an actor since landing the lead role in JTBC's short series “Monster.” Since then, she has been building a steady portfolio, from crime series “Life on Mars” to rom-com “The Secret Life of My Secretary.”
Recently taking on the supporting role in the legal mystery series “The Devil Judge,” which ended Sunday with an 8 percent viewership rating, Kim expressed that the series has encouraged her to take another step forward into becoming a better actor.
“When I first decided to take part in this project, I made a promise to myself that if I ever face obstacle or difficulties (in portraying my character) with this series, I will push myself to face it and to get to the end of it,” she told The Korea Times during the video interview, last Thursday.
“When your height grows, there are growing pains that accompany your growth. And this series was like my 'growing pains,' because I've spent more agonizing time while working on this than any other series. So it allowed me to go through the pain to help grow and become a better actor.”
A scene from the series / Courtesy of tvN
“The Devil Judge,” created and written by judge-turned-writer Moon Yoo-seok, who is behind the JTBC series "Ms. Hammurabi," is set in a fictional dystopian Korea, which had been swept by a mysterious plague.
The country implements a new justice system in which court trials are broadcasted live to the public and makes rulings based on the citizens' votes.
Kang Yo-han (Ji Sung) is the star senior judge of the new system, who ruthlessly punishes those found guilty. Though many see him as a just, crusading judge, his methods and legal boundaries are questioned when rookie judge Kim Ga-on (Jin Young) comes into his life.
Kim plays the character Oh Jin-joo, one of the three presiding judges, along with Yo-han and Ga-on. Despite her passion to serve justice, she has been seated as the judge for her looks as the charming face of the show-biz style courtroom.
The actress said that she had difficulty portraying an optimistic and energetic character in such a heavy, serious series.
“Jin-joo loved her work and wanted to help as many people as she can as a judge. So I tried to focus on that part of the character. But I also worried her upbeat, energetic character would stand out too much in the overall tone of the series,” she said. “I had to find ways to make it convincing while portraying her passion for work and not to exaggerate.”
The series ended on Sunday with an 8 percent viewership rating. Courtesy of tvN
Kim expressed that working with Ji has been a blessing which taught her a life and career lesson. She explained that she was awed by his ability to see the bigger picture in creating a scene, rather than simply acting the character.
“He was the leading actor, which would have put a lot of pressure on him, I was amazed how he communicated with each staff member and lead the scenes on the set. I could really rely on him,” she said. “He made me wish that I could become an actor like him in the future that was the biggest takeaway from this project.”
She said he also changed her thoughts about marriage.
“I love my work so much that I couldn't even imagine myself getting married or becoming a mom. I was afraid I can't handle both,” she said. “But after seeing him and Lee Bo-young ― Ji's wife ― they showed me it is not unrealistic.”
The actress expressed her optimism in using her career to impact other people. “I hope that I can influence other people to broaden their perspective and give hope,” she said. “I feel most satisfied with my job when I give out positive energy. If I made someone happy or gave them a turning point that would be my biggest pleasure.”