[Exclusive]Moon So-ri: "The 'Vibrant' Team Made 'AAA' Feel Secure... Young Cortis is Admired" [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Moon So-ri once again demonstrated the irreplaceable power of a true performer by brilliantly illuminating the night sky of Kaohsiung.

Last year, Moon So-ri deeply moved and warmly comforted viewers worldwide as Aesoon in the Netflix series "Vibrant." This dazzling performance led to honors on a global stage watched by fans around the world. On December 6 last year at the Kaohsiung National Stadium, Moon So-ri became a double crown winner, securing the top honor, the Actress of the Year Award, as well as the Best Artist Award at the "10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025" (10th Anniversary Asia Artist Awards 2025, hereinafter "AAA 2025").

In a recent meeting with StarNews, Moon So-ri openly shared her affection for "Vibrant" and the moment she held the Grand Prize at "AAA 2025."

Recalling the heavy weight of the trophies held in both hands, she smiled brightly, saying, "I have held many trophies, but this one felt quite heavy," and added, "It felt heavy and substantial, which made me feel good."

"Like starlight pouring from the desert"... An unforgettable night in Kaohsiung

For Moon So-ri, "AAA 2025" was not merely a ceremony for winning awards but a moment of pure joy in enjoying a festival. She recalled, "While the joy of being loved was very great, I think the memory of simply enjoying that space and that time remains stronger," and added, "The mood of that day when I was mixed with many people, and the time when spectacular performances and shows unfolded, were very good." In particular, the view of the audience seats at the Kaohsiung National Stadium from the massive stage spread in all directions gifted her a fleeting memory she will never forget.

The overwhelming emotion she felt on that stage was directly reflected in her sincere acceptance speech. Moon So-ri explained, "The lights were so beautiful. I even talked about stars in my acceptance speech that day. When I received so much applause on this stage, it felt like I was receiving starlight under a shower of stars. I said, 'You might see me as a star, but you who give applause to those standing on this stage are our stars.' I did not prepare that speech in advance." She continued, "Sitting there that night in that atmosphere, I truly felt like I was under starlight pouring from a desert," and added, "It was a moment when I felt incredibly fulfilled."

Precious connections left by "Vibrant"... Her tender feelings toward IU

"AAA 2025" was also a special reunion where the main cast of "Vibrant" gathered in one place for the first time since the work's release. Moon So-ri, along with IU, Park Bo-gum, Kang Yu-seok, Choi Tae-hoon, Eom Ji-won, and Lee Jun-young, sat side by side at the awards venue, drawing the attention of fans worldwide. Recalling that time, Moon So-ri said, "I thought I didn't know many idols and wasn't close with musicians, so I wondered what to do if I felt awkward, but our team was spread out on both sides, which made me feel very secure."

A cheerful behind-the-scenes story from the day she departed for the awards ceremony was also shared. Moon So-ri revealed, "I went to the airport, and as soon as I got out of the car, I saw Choi Tae-hoon standing there. So we entered the airport side by side and departed side by side. We were waiting to cross a crosswalk when I remembered there were reporters waiting on the other side to take pictures of the idols. So we had a conversation like, 'Let's just stand naturally.'"

The connections formed within the work remained firmly intact even outside the awards ceremony. Moon So-ri stated, "Not only my husband Park Hae-jun, but I am still in contact with the actors who played my children, asking about each other's well-being, worrying about one another, and cheering each other on." She added, "Even now, Eun-myung (played by Kang Yu-seok) calls me 'Mom' when he meets me while passing by." She also praised Lee Jun-young, who played Yeong-beom, the former boyfriend of her daughter Geum-myung (played by IU) in the drama, saying, "Jun-young's stage at 'AAA 2025' was so cool. I thought, 'My daughter's former boyfriend is such a dancer.'" She continued, "His groove was great, he had weight, and he was powerful. So I remember telling him he was cool."

In particular, Moon So-ri revealed her special affection for IU (Lee Ji-eun), who firmly led the center of the work. She said, "I thought the script was so good that a great work would come out. I cried many times; it was such a wonderful script." She added, "I thought it would be hard to find such a script, and there was no doubt about director Kim Won-seok's directing skills. So I expected it would go well, but I didn't expect it to have a global response." She continued, "(The) writer must have felt a very heavy burden on this work. There were even stories about the large production budget, so everything must have been a huge burden."

IU, whom she watched on set, was a stronger actor than anyone else. Moon So-ri praised, "But when you see her on set, she is so resilient and unshakable that you wonder where that energy comes from. Her dignified and firm gaze is always memorable." She then added, "Park Hae-jun and I would worry about Ji-eun like parents whenever she came, saying, 'It must be hard, it must be hard,' and we always had the thought, 'What can we do about her hard work.'"

"If not for the dress, I would have run out"... Her passionate fandom for Cortis

Through this awards ceremony, Moon So-ri found a new joy: her passionate fandom for the group Cortis. During her acceptance speech on stage at "AAA 2025," Moon So-ri made a surprise confession that "Cortis's stage was so good. It was truly moving," which became a major topic.

Recalling that strong memory, Moon So-ri said, "I told actress Eom Ji-won, who was next to me, 'Oh my, oh my, what are they? Who are they? Look at them,' and I remember saying, 'I was so excited that if I weren't wearing a dress, I would have run out.'"

Their dramatic meeting in the waiting room also became an unforgettable memory. He said, "Cortis came to the waiting room to say hello, and I was surprised. The members also looked surprised when they heard that I liked them so much." He continued, "When I met them in person, their faces were so young, and they were so pure and polite that it was hard to believe they were artists with such skills. The youngest member was born in 2010, which surprised me even more. It was truly admirable that they showed such capabilities at such a young age."

Her affection for Cortis has now deeply rooted itself in Moon So-ri's daily life. She said, "Even when I am shooting photo shoots or getting makeup for a work, I often listen to Cortis music. If I look tired or lack energy, the makeup team naturally plays Cortis music. Then my spirits immediately rise. People around me say, 'It seems Cortis music is what gives me energy.'"

Recently, she even jumped directly into concert ticketing, famous for "picking tickets until fingers bleed." Moon So-ri revealed, "I should have joined the membership in advance, but I missed it due to filming. Still, I tried to challenge the general sale and even asked company staff for help." She continued, "I asked my daughter for help, and she said, 'Mom, ticketing is not helped by heaven but by fingers.' So I am also getting help from people around me with fast fingers," which elicited laughter.

She did not forget to offer warm advice and encouragement as a senior artist and fan. Moon So-ri expressed her wish, "This album took an unexpected direction, which made it even more interesting. I hope they continue to show us music that exceeds fans' expectations in the future." She added, "Rather than safe choices that everyone expects to sell well, I hope they continue to try new things that make you wonder, 'Will this really work?'" She encouraged them, "Since they are still young and creative artists, I hope they continue to make bold challenges as they are doing now."

Versatile in performances, dramas, and films... Actor Moon So-ri's continuing journey

Leaving the glory of "AAA 2025" behind, Moon So-ri is spending the hottest and busiest days of her life as of 2026. Continuing her lecture performance "Dance Speaks" with choreographer Rhea Kim, she has announced her tireless acting journey through the new JTBC Saturday-Sunday drama "Apartment," which premieres on July 11, and the film "International Market 2," scheduled for release in the second half of this year.

Moon So-ri shared her packed recent updates, saying, "I am spending such busy times that I wonder if I have ever been this busy since my debut." She added, "At the beginning of last year, I spent a quiet time that seemed so leisurely, but now I am busy going back and forth between films, dramas, and performances." She concluded, "As I have been so busy, I hope there will be good results."

Even amidst her busy schedule, Moon So-ri was preparing for her next challenge. Regarding her future activity plans, she stated, "First, I have performance schedules, and I must finish 'International Market 2' well," but also added, "Recently, while watching an independent feature film, I remembered work I used to do often. I felt it has been a long time since I did such works. If the opportunity arises, I would like to try independent film work again."

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*This content was translated by AI.