[Exclusive]Hye-ri: "I was surprised by the huge AAA stage, and I didn't know about the 'Angtal Challenge'" [Interview ①]

*This content was translated by AI.

• 'AAA 2025' Best Actor (Female) Award Winner Hye-ri Interview

Girl's Day member and actress Hye-ri (Lee Hye-ri, 32) revealed the behind-the-scenes story of the 'Angtal Challenge' that garnered intense attention last year.

Debuting in 2010 as a member of the girl group Girl's Day, Hye-ri has been walking her own path as both a singer and an actress, making any descriptor her own. From Deok-sun in 'Reply 1988', which won the love of the entire nation, to Jay in 'The Competition of Kindness', another challenge. Hye-ri vividly portrayed characters she excelled at and did not fear new challenges. In doing so, she has become an actress people can trust.

Hye-ri's talent is not limited to acting. Hye-ri possesses an energy that makes those around her feel good. With her unique laugh, pleasant jokes, and actions full of affection, she gives strength to those she is with. Hye-ri also created a unique memory at the '10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025' (10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025, hereinafter 'AAA 2025') held at the Kaohsiung National Stadium on December 6 last year. At the awards ceremony that day, Hye-ri enjoyed the joy of winning the 'AAA Best Actor (Female)' award for her role in 'The Competition of Kindness'. Along with this, Hye-ri created new joy by performing the 'Angtal Challenge' to the song 'Overdrive' by the idol group TWS. It has been about 10 years since the 'Lee-ing~' phenomenon on MBC's 'Real Men' in 2014, and Hye-ri has created a new Hye-ri phenomenon. We met Hye-ri, who possesses a unique charm that no one else can imitate, and recalled that day's 'Angtal'.

-It has been a while since we sat down together after meeting at the 'AAA 2025' at the end of last year.

▶It was truly enjoyable that day. It was a day when I met a large number of audiences for the first time in a long while and received energy from them. It was my first time at the AAA awards ceremony, and I was simply so happy. The stage was really huge, and I was surprised. The memory of winning an award in front of so many audiences is still vivid.

-At that time, performing the 'Angtal Challenge' to TWS's song on stage became a major topic. Did you not know at all that you would be doing the challenge at that time?

▶That's right. I didn't know I was going to do the challenge, but the camera suddenly turned on me, and I ended up doing it. People asked if I had known in advance and prepared for it, but it's truly not the case. However, a few days before the awards ceremony, I met with fans, and they asked me to do the 'Angtal Challenge', so I looked it up and performed it for them. But I didn't know I would be doing it that day. When I watched it later, I noticed that the choreography I did was different from the original choreography (laughs).

-When I see Hye-ri, I get the feeling that she is a natural-born entertainer. She seems full of energy. What is Hye-ri's actual appearance like?

▶She seems different at different times. For example, when doing a video interview or something similar, I show my bright side. But when doing an interview like this where we are having a conversation, it seems a calmer side comes out. It changes depending on the situation. People around me say that when I'm not working, I live in 'low-power mode' all the time. (laughs) When a mobile phone battery drops to about 15%, it doesn't go into low-power mode, right? I think I live my daily life in a slightly similar way.

-That's meaningful. You always seem to be in high tension, so do you save your energy in your daily life and explode with it when you work?

▶When I'm on a broadcast or doing an interview, there are many people watching me, so I think I feel I shouldn't be in 'low-power mode'. It's hard to explain with just one phrase like 'this is how I usually am', and I think I change all the time depending on the situation.

-You debuted as a singer in 2010 and started your acting career shortly after, and you have been loved by many people for a very long time. You are an actress known by the entire nation, not just a specific age group. Isn't there no one in the Republic of Korea who doesn't know Hye-ri?

▶I am grateful that it seems so. I debuted in a weekend drama in 2012. Recently, when I was selected as the Next Actor at the Mujoo Mountain Film Festival, I looked back on my past works. I felt very embarrassed. Looking back at the past anew, I thought, 'Ah, I was so lacking back then,' and it felt fresh. I even took time to reflect on myself, thinking that even later, when I look back at my current self after more time has passed, it might be the same. I am truly grateful to those who love me.

-This interview continues to Interview ②.

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*This content was translated by AI.