'Manager Kim' Son Na-eun on Apink: "Precious Memories... I Cheer as a Fan" [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

• Interview with actress Son Na-eun, who plays Jung-sang-a in SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Manager Kim'

Actress Son Na-eun, who made her debut as a new face through the drama 'Manager Kim', expressed her affection for Apink, the group she once belonged to.

Recently, Son Na-eun held an interview to commemorate the conclusion of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Manager Kim' (script by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun) at a cafe in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Concluding on the 25th of last month, 'Manager Kim' is an action revenge drama about a father who becomes 'the most dangerous man in the world' to win back his only daughter, described as 'the most ordinary dad in the world'. Son Na-eun played Jung-sang-a, a vice president at Sangsaeng Savings Bank where Manager Kim (played by So Ji-sub) works and a special mission unit agent. In particular, she went undercover as a resort staff member to help Manager Kim's team with their infiltration operation, deceiving North Korean agents and performing a shooting action scene on a golf cart.

When asked about her feelings upon the drama's conclusion, Son Na-eun stated, "I didn't expect so much love, but I feel good. I also found it enjoyable while watching the broadcast, and even after it ended, seeing such a strong reaction was amazing and I am grateful."

According to ratings survey company Nielsen Korea, the final episode recorded viewership of 23.4% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 23.0% nationwide. In particular, the peak viewership soared to 27.1%, achieving a feat that once again broke its own record.

Regarding the high ratings and intense interest, Son Na-eun said, "I expected many people would like the drama, but I never thought it would reach such record-breaking numbers." She added, "I am grateful for the great love, and my senior colleagues who acted with me are also happy. The team atmosphere is very good."

Until now, Son Na-eun had been tagged with controversy over her acting skills. Was she worried about this? Son Na-eun said, "I wasn't too worried this time. I think of any evaluation as a stimulant, and I am grateful that people viewed my new challenge positively and seemed to think, 'So Son Na-eun can do this kind of thing too.'"

The 'new challenge' Son Na-eun referred to was action acting. Having taken on action acting for the first time through 'Manager Kim', she said, "I attended an action school for about two months and spent a lot of time practicing on set before filming. I want to show you even better versions of things I couldn't show this time," revealing her ambition in action scenes.

She further commented, "As for results, I am satisfied with taking on something new. My acting spectrum has widened." She then added, "I tend to like challenging new things, and I think my spirit of challenge has grown even more. There are many things I want to try, but the character Sang-a was exactly the feeling I had always wanted, so there was no reason not to take on this role," expressing her affection for the character.

On set, Son Na-eun had already gained a reputation as an 'actor who is good at action'. She joked, "The director told me, 'You will become an action actor.' I don't know why, but I heard many people on set saying, 'They say Sang-a does action so well?' That's how the rumor spread. I think maybe the director started the rumor."

She also expressed her desire for a second season. Son Na-eun said, "Nothing is decided yet, but everyone is expecting it, and I am too. If they call me back, I would like to join with a grateful heart," raising expectations.

So, how will 'Manager Kim' be remembered by Son Na-eun? She replied, "It feels like a new page has begun in my acting career. I don't know if I will be able to meet such a beloved work again in the future. I am truly grateful," expressing her deep affection for the project.

Regarding her acting chemistry with So Ji-sub, Son Na-eun stated, "Senior So Ji-sub was a reliable presence just by being on set. He truly was Manager Kim himself."

She continued, "Our first scene together was the one where Sang-a and Manager Kim meet at the bank. Since it was our first shoot, I was nervous. But that nervousness seemed to fit well with the bank scene. (So Ji-sub) gave me a lot of advice on how to handle the gun, how to hold it to look cool, what the composition should be, and so on," recalling the filming period.

She also said, "The chemistry with my seniors was good, the teamwork was good, the atmosphere on set was good, and everything was good." She added, "My seniors created a set where we could enjoy acting, which was very helpful."

Previously, it became a topic of discussion that So Ji-sub gifted one won of pure gold to each of the 300th cast members and production staff of 'Manager Kim'. It is reported that So Ji-sub spent approximately 1 billion won from his own pocket for this.

Son Na-eun, who received the gold gift without exception, said, "I was so grateful. I felt a warm heart knowing he took care not only of the actors but also of all the staff."

She further revealed, "The atmosphere on set was really good. (So Ji-sub) told many good stories. Since every episode was packed with action and it was physically demanding, I think camaraderie developed among us."

Thanks to the surprising ratings, interest has already gathered around whether the actors will win at the '2026 SBS Drama Awards' year-end ceremony. When asked if she had any desire for awards, Son Na-eun said, "I don't have award luck. I received so many certificates in elementary school that I think I used up all my luck back then," showing her wit.

She added, "I didn't approach the work with the thought of winning an award, but I hope the drama wins a production award. Since it is an award everyone can receive, I really want it to win for the production. (So Ji-sub) seems like he will win the Grand Prize. He might also win the Best Teamwork Award, and the Best Couple Award will likely go to Choi Tae-hoon and Yoon Kyung-ho," predicting 'Manager Kim's' award luck.

With 'Manager Kim' becoming a huge hit, did she feel any pressure regarding her next project? Son Na-eun said, "I do feel some pressure, but I will work hard on whatever comes. My mindset when approaching each work remains the same. I want to become an authentic actor. I haven't tried rom-coms, melodramas, or legal dramas yet. There are still many things for me to challenge. I want to become an actor who can handle various roles, and since the characters I have participated in so far were all different, I feel proud. In the future, I want to be an actor who can handle various genres, and I hope that becomes my weapon and strength."

She continued, "I do sometimes think, 'Is this not suitable for me?' but I think that kind of thinking itself helps me grow. Of course, I cannot be 100% satisfied, but I do have those thoughts. It seems like the words that hurt my heart are not taken too seriously and get erased."

After debuting as an Apink member in 2011, Son Na-eun alternated between stage activities and acting starting the following year. She then left Apink in 2022 to focus on her career as an actress.

Regarding the descriptor 'actor who was formerly a singer', Son Na-eun said, "Since it is a fact, I don't want to deny it, and I think of it as a grateful title." She added, "I think building trust as an actor seems to be an important task for me."

She stated, "I have started breaking many of my own frameworks. Originally, I liked familiar things and feared new changes, but now I try to look wider and further. In doing so, I think a spirit of challenge has naturally emerged."

Previously, Apink member Yoon Bo-mi held a wedding with composer Lado at an unspecified location in Seoul on May 16. Apink members congratulated Yoon Bo-mi's marriage with a congratulatory song, and Hong Yu-kyung, the founding member who left the group in 2013, also attended as a guest to support the couple's new beginning. However, Son Na-eun was not seen, which had raised curiosity.

Regarding her absence from Yoon Bo-mi's wedding, Son Na-eun said, "It was near the end of filming." She added, "Since this is a team where I have precious memories from my teens and twenties, if there is good news, I want to sincerely congratulate them and wish them well. My heart as an Apink fan cheering for them has not changed."

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*This content was translated by AI.