Shin Ye-eun: "Thought I could ignore the 'Doctor Killer Flower Snake' rumors... but experiencing gossip behind my back brought loneliness" [Doctor Island Boy] [Interview ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actress Shin Ye-eun (28) deeply empathized with Yook Ha-ri's trauma in "Doctor Island Boy."

Shin Ye-eun delivered a compelling performance as Yook Ha-ri in ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama "Doctor Island Boy," which concluded on the 7th. She portrayed a character who left her role as a university hospital nurse and moved to a health center in her hometown of Pyeondongdo, carrying a secret. Yook Ha-ri was a character with diverse emotional layers, showcasing not only inner pain but also her kind-hearted meddling nature. Shin Ye-eun infused life into the role with her unique bubbly charm and excellent control of intensity and softness, enhancing audience immersion.

Notably, Shin Ye-eun added fresh appeal through a new attempt to present a "medical romance" alongside fellow 1998-born actor Lee Jae-wook (who played Doji). The two did not simply depict a romantic story but crafted a narrative of "mutual healing," making viewers laugh and cry. As a result, "Doctor Island Boy" surpassed 5% viewership and concluded as a meaningful well-made healing drama.

In an interview with StarNews on the 7th, Shin Ye-eun said, "Ha-ri has a bright and clear image and is also meddling. These aspects resemble me a lot," boasting a high level of synchronization with the character.

She added, "However, following the emotions in the early stages was difficult. This child experienced trauma, but she wasn't always depressed, so I paid close attention to balancing intensity and softness. Among Ha-ri's many backstories, there were rumors that 'she meets many doctors,' which made her struggle. So while Ha-ri is meddling, I believed there must be a cautious side in how she interacts with people. When people find it difficult to approach her, the conflict arises between her past trauma and her inherent charm of being meddling," revealing deep inner thoughts.

Yook Ha-ri endured severe emotional turmoil as she was constantly criticized by colleagues due to rumors labeling her a "Doctor Killer" and a "Flower Snake." Regarding this, Shin Ye-eun stated, "I discussed this aspect extensively with Director Lee Myung-woo. I initially thought, 'It's just a rumor; if it's not true, we can ignore it.' But when everyone in the workplace looks at you with such eyes, and rumors repeat non-stop, I deeply considered what kind of psychological trauma that would cause. I asked myself, 'What would I do in her place?' There was a moment when this concern resolved. While filming a scene where I watched from afar as fellow nurses gossiped about Ha-ri at a convenience store, I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. It became hard to look people in the eye."

She continued, "When I first analyzed Ha-ri, I thought she was just a strong and spirited girl. But while filming, I realized she is actually a very fragile child, living in an environment where fragility was inevitable," showing how deeply immersed she became in the role of Yook Ha-ri.

So, how does Shin Ye-eun herself handle rumors about her? She candidly shared, "I think I tend to avoid them a bit. There's a mindset that 'it's just a rumor; if it's not about me, it doesn't matter.' When people talk about me, I sometimes feel like there's no point in telling the truth, so I end up avoiding it. But recently, I've been thinking maybe I should face them directly once, and I wish I had that courage in my life."

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*This content was translated by AI.