'Mother of All' Lee Jung-eun: "I Wanted to Go All the Way" [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Jung-eun, who has set new milestones playing mothers to many actors, returns to the screen in another motherly role. Lee expressed her affection for the project, saying, "I wanted to try acting that goes all the way."

Lee will meet audiences with the film 'Gyeongju Journey' (directed by Kim Mi-jo), set for release on the 26th. The film is a family revenge story about four women who embark on a journey of "killing" after eight years of waiting, in honor of their youngest daughter, Gyeongju, who never returned from a school trip. Lee plays Ok-sil, a mother who has lost her youngest daughter.

In 'Gyeongju Journey', Lee captivates audiences as a mother who has lost her youngest daughter and pursues revenge to the end alongside her three daughters.

Explaining why she chose this project, Lee said, "I wondered what roles audiences would want to see me in. The thought that came to mind was a role that 'goes all the way.' I've played many characters, but upon reflection, I realized I hadn't done one like that." She added, "I even asked AI what kind of image people might want to see from Lee Jung-eun. That's when this idea emerged."

When asked about the synchronization between her character Ok-sil, who "goes all the way," and herself, Lee confessed, "If you're asking where we align, I agree that the absurdities and inequalities that occurred in my generation of society should end with us. I think Ok-sil might share similar thoughts."

Following her role in the KBS 2TV drama 'When Camellias Bloom', Lee once again draws attention for her mother-daughter chemistry with Gong Hyo-jin in 'Gyeongju Journey'. Lee explained, "This movie was originally going to be a smaller film. But as all the daughters were cast, the project grew." She continued, "Gong Hyo-jin called and asked if I would do this role, and she agreed to join. Although it may sound unkind to say about the film, I told Gong Hyo-jin, 'If you're doing this because of me, don't. I can't take responsibility. If you're joining because the script is good, that would be better.' At that time, Hyo-jin said she wanted to give her mother a lot of strength."

Lee then joked, "There's been a sense of accomplishment in raising a daughter since 'When Camellias Bloom'. In that drama, I abandoned my daughter." She added, "We did play mother and daughter in 'Camellias' too, but the relationship between mother and daughter in 'Gyeongju Journey' is different. She took care of me completely, so it became a relationship where she was like a reliable right arm."

Lee Jung-eun and Park So-dam reunited after the film 'Parasite' to portray mother and daughter again. Earlier, during the production report for 'Gyeongju Journey', Park, who had been battling papillary thyroid cancer since 2021, said, "Even while filming 'Parasite', my sister and I connected deeply. But after I got sick, she helped me a lot during my recovery." She added, "She took care of me like a real mother. It was hard to tell my family or even my mother how sick I truly was, but I could tell my sister. Even though she worried, I showed her my struggles and opened up. She came to my house early in the morning just to listen to my story. Meeting as mother and daughter is wonderful in itself. She's always been a senior I'm deeply grateful to, and I think I should do well for the rest of my life."

Lee said, "Actually, I don't remember clearly if I visited So-dam early in the morning. There were many times we went on dates that weren't really dates. We even went together to the Academy Awards because of 'Parasite' (we're close)." She continued, "I heard she was sick after she returned. She had some symptoms before that. She said she was tired, but that's how it was."

Lee added, "At that time, I had built a house for my parents on Jeju Island, and it was empty. When So-dam said she wanted to come to Jeju, I told her, 'Then stay at the house. Clean it up.' She came. That's how we were able to tour Jeju, and I also introduced her to acquaintances. It seems that brought healing to So-dam. After hearing about this at the production report, I was surprised thinking, 'Did I really do such a good deed?'"

Lee said, "I'm not particularly affectionate; in fact, I might have some tsundere-like qualities. I don't express affection that way." She added, "It's great to meet So-dam again. It seems her horizons have widened and she has more space to breathe. I look forward to the future even more."

After the release of 'Gyeongju Journey', it was revealed that director Bong Joon-ho would participate in a GV (Q&A with audiences) for this film, sparking interest. Lee remarked, "I didn't know about it, but So-dam requested it. I said, 'Wow, she's quick.' I'm truly grateful."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.