Lim Seong-han's Cinderella.. Baek Seo-ra "Stunned by 'Doctor Shin' as my first acting role and first lead"[Interview ①]

*This content was translated by AI.

• TV Chosun Saturday-Sunday Drama 'Doctor Shin' Interview with Actress Baek Seo-ra, who played Momo

Actress Baek Seo-ra shared her thoughts after completing her first acting challenge and first lead role in the drama 'Doctor Shin'.

Recently, StarNews conducted an interview with actress Baek Seo-ra at its Seoul Jongno-gu headquarters, following the conclusion of TV Chosun's Saturday-Sunday drama 'Doctor Shin' (script by Lim Seong-han (Phoebe), directed by Lee Seung-hoon) on the 3rd.

'Doctor Shin' is a medical thriller about a genius doctor who challenges the realm of the divine and a woman who loses her soul as her brain deteriorates overnight. It is the new work by writer Lim Seong-han, approximately three years after her 2023 TV Chosun drama 'Miss Durian' concluded.

Baek Seo-ra, who took on the lead role in her first acting challenge, left a deep impression by playing the top actress Momo, delivering a multi-role performance.

When asked about her feelings upon the drama's conclusion, Baek Seo-ra said, "It was a work filled with gratitude. I am thankful that I was trusted with a major role in my first acting project. Through 'Doctor Shin', I met many wonderful people. Although the drama was intense, the set was truly a joyful atmosphere."

Baek Seo-ra, who was cast as Momo through an audition, stated, "I was nervous and, upon learning I was the lead, I was stunned and slightly worried. I wondered if writer Lim Seong-han had given me such a major role in her first work. While I was worried, I suddenly realized it was a wonderful opportunity because I could portray various personalities through different characters. I used that as my motivation."

Why did writer Lim Seong-han cast Baek Seo-ra, who had no prior acting experience, in the lead role? Regarding this, Baek Seo-ra said, "When I asked, she actually turned the question back on me, asking, 'Why do you think it was you?' I think she might have been looking for a fresh face. On the other hand, she may have appreciated my rough sincerity."

In the drama, characters such as Momo's biological mother, Hyun Ran-hee (played by Song Ji-in), and Kim Jin-joo (played by Cheon Young-min), undergo brain transplant surgery and take over Momo's body. Consequently, Baek Seo-ra had to naturally portray not only the original Momo but also versions of Momo with other characters' brains transplanted.

Baek Seo-ra revealed, "It took about three to four months before filming began, so immersing myself in the characters was not difficult. I could communicate directly with the writer, so I didn't get lost. Of course, there were challenges with the character Momo. Since Hyun Ran-hee was the first to undergo brain transplant surgery, we went through trial and error, and I realized I needed to find elements to distinguish between Hyun Ran-hee and Kim Jin-joo."

She continued, "Rather than building (the various versions of Momo) alone, I found it easier by conversing with senior actors. To absorb Hyun Ran-hee and Kim Jin-joo as similarly as possible, I observed their acting extensively. During the reading process, I picked up on characteristics such as Hyun Ran-hee, who moved her eyes a lot, and Kim Jin-joo, who frequently licked her lips."

How did she perceive the 'brain change' setting? Baek Seo-ra said, "I felt it was an interesting challenge. The concept of brain change was new even for actors, so there was caution alongside it. New attempts naturally bring various reactions. Personally, I hoped viewers would accept the setting more naturally and comfortably. I kept asking myself questions, and when I got stuck, I sought help from the writer."

She also noted that her acting chemistry with fellow actors Jeong I-chan (as Shin Ju-shin), Ahn Woo-yeon (as Ha Yong-joong), Joo Se-bin (as Geum Ba-ra), Cheon Young-min, and Song Ji-in was excellent. Baek Seo-ra expressed her affection for her colleagues, saying, "It was like camaraderie; a bond formed, and my attachment to the work grew immensely. We watched the original broadcasts at home and chatted in group messages. We developed a close relationship."

'Doctor Shin' generated significant buzz but fell short in viewership ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, the ratings research company, 'Doctor Shin' started with a 1.4% viewership in its first episode. Although it showed some momentum later, it concluded with somewhat underwhelming results.

Regarding this, Baek Seo-ra calmly shared her thoughts, "It would be a lie to say I'm not disappointed, but the most meaningful aspect is that my first work as an actor has been released. Alongside that, I am grateful that it was well-received, which gives the work even greater significance. I did my best."

She added, "Many people who hadn't contacted me in a long time reached out. They sent clips and encouraged me, saying, 'I'm watching it well.' Since it was my first work, everything was fun and fascinating," she smiled.

As a drama filled with the meaningful significance of Baek Seo-ra's first acting challenge and first lead role, 'Doctor Shin' will remain what kind of drama for her? She answered, "I hope it becomes a positive influence in my acting career and a solid foundation. As an actor, I was able to meet viewers for the first time, and it is the first result I produced through the craft of acting. Over the past year, I was able to meet many benefactors."

(Continued in Interview ②)

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*This content was translated by AI.