Oh Hyun-kyung: "I felt awkward about the 'Miss Korea alumna' label... My classmate Ko Hyun-jung gave me confidence by saying, 'Being number one in any field is a good thing'" [Interview ③]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Oh Hyun-kyung said she draws strength from watching the vigorous activities of fellow Miss Korea alumnae actors Ko Hyun-jung, Kim Sung-ryung, Yeom Jeong-a, and Lee Ha-neui.

Oh Hyun-kyung recently held an interview with StarNews regarding MBC's daily drama "First Husband" (directed by Kang Tae-heum, written by Seo Hyun-ju, produced by Ahn Jin-young).

"First Husband" is a drama depicting the fatal confrontation between a woman who lived another person's life for revenge and a woman who stole another person's life for desire. It is part of writer Seo Hyun-ju's "Number Series," following "Second Husband" and "Third Marriage." Director Kang Tae-heum, known for "Kind Lady Sun," "Third Marriage," and "The Witch's Game," joined forces on this project.

In the drama, Oh Hyun-kyung plays Chae Hwa-young, a former top star who is now the daughter-in-law of Dream Group chairman and president of Dream Hotel. However, she harbors ambitions to oust Ma (Chairman)(played by Lee Hyo-jung) and take over Dream Group. She serves as the ultimate embodiment of evil at the center of all conflicts and is the main villain.

Chae Hwa-young once abandoned her biological son Kang Jun-ho (played by Park Geon-il), whom she had with the Dream Group heir, to an orphanage in order to marry him. She then stole one of the twin daughters born to Jung Suk-hee (played by Jeong So-young), the true lover of Ma Dong-seok (played by Kim Young-pil), Ma (Chairman)'s son, and passed her off as her own daughter, Ma Seo-rin (played by Ham Eun-jung). As time passed, Chae Hwa-young's evil deeds were exposed by Ma Seo-rin's twin older sister, Oh Jang-mi (also played by Ham Eun-jung). After learning that Kang Jun-ho, a chef working at her hotel, was the biological son she had abandoned years ago, Chae Hwa-young tried to flee from the police but accidentally hit Oh Jang-mi with her car. However, Kang Jun-ho threw himself in front of the car and died, forcing Chae Hwa-young to face the cruel fate of having killed her own son.

Oh Hyun-kyung is well-known as a first-generation actress who emerged from the Miss Korea pageant. She participated in the 1989 Miss Korea competition and won the title of "Jin" (True Beauty). She said she drew inspiration not only from Ko Hyun-jung, who won "Seon" (Virtue) at the same contest, but also from numerous other actresses who emerged from Miss Korea competitions and have remained highly active.

Oh Hyun-kyung stated, "I participated in the Miss Korea pageant when I was very young. Fortunately, senior Kim Sung-ryung, (the late) Ko Hyun-jung, Yeom Jeong-a, Lee Ha-neui, and others have established themselves well. As we've grown older, we realized that being a 'Miss Korea alumna' is actually a wonderful title and a source of pride. In the past, I felt awkward about it and wished people wouldn't call me that. But Hyun-jung told me, 'Hyun-kyung, being number one in any field is a good thing. Live with pride.' From then on, I decided to live with determination."

She continued, "As a Miss Korea alumna, I believe showing others how to age gracefully through proper exercise and self-care can offer hope to many people. Although Hyun-jung and I are too busy to contact each other directly these days, whenever I see news articles about her, I make sure to click 'like' and cheer for her."

Oh Hyun-kyung also became a topic of discussion last year when she reunited with members of MBC's sitcom "High Kick Through the Roof," which ended in 2010, through an advertisement. Regarding this, she said, "I had the chance to meet senior Lee Jung-suk and the director again, and I told them that such a drama should be made once more. After 15 years, a major company approached us first with (an advertising) proposal, which I was very grateful for. It was great that they chose to use the 'High Kick' concept."

When asked about her recent contact with the "High Kick" cast, Oh Hyun-kyung shared, "(Hwang) Jung-eum contacted me saying she's doing YouTube. I communicate frequently separately with senior Lee Soon-jae and senior Lee Jung-suk. (Jin) Ji-hee has also grown up wonderfully. Coincidentally, we share the same birthday, so we occasionally contact each other and have meals together. Yoon Si-yun's grandmother took excellent care of us actors back then; whenever I see her now, it feels wonderful, and we continue to support one another," expressing deep affection.

Oh Hyun-kyung remarked, "'High Kick' was incredible. Some acquaintances with elementary school-aged children recently told me their kids are watching 'High Kick.' They also mentioned that the series has surpassed 100 million views." She expressed surprise at the enduring popularity of "High Kick Through the Roof."

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*This content was translated by AI.