"I thought it was my fate." Gong Hyo-jin becomes even happier after marriage [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actress Gong Hyo-jin is appearing in a more relaxed manner, captivating both television screens and movie theaters.

On the afternoon of the 19th, Gong Hyo-jin held an interview for the film "Gyeongju Journey" (directed by Kim Mi-jo) at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, sharing various insights about the work.

"Gyeongju Journey" is a family revenge drama about four women who embark on a journey of "killing" after eight years of waiting for their youngest daughter, Gyeongju, who never returned from a school trip. Gong Hyo-jin played Jang-ju, the eldest of three sisters who lost their younger sister Gyeongju in the film, delivering a powerful performance.

Gong Hyo-jin said, "I initially turned down 'Gyeongju Journey,' but I couldn't stop thinking about it afterward. However, Lee Jung-eun never personally asked me to join the project. As time passed and several months went by—almost half a year—I heard that her younger sisters had been cast, which made me reconsider. It was a story that kept coming back to me." She added, "I wanted to see my senior Lee Jung-eun act in this script right before my eyes. I felt excited knowing she would play the mother and perform the final climax. Fortunately, my schedule aligned perfectly, so I thought it must be fate."

Gong Hyo-jin expressed her affection, saying, "I enjoyed acting alongside Lee Jung-eun even during 'When Camellias Bloom,' but we only had a short time together before parting ways, which always left me regretful. It was wonderful to work with her. Lee Jung-eun truly inspired us constantly. She is renowned for comedy as well as emotional acting, and she excels in both. Every time I saw her silently scold someone with such an intense expression, it gave me goosebumps. Her face itself told the story."

Gong Hyo-jin remarked, "Since the story in the film is not everyday life, many people imagined how they would react in such a situation and discussed it extensively. Jang-ju serves as the mother's command center and right hand. To her younger sisters, she might seem like an annoying older sister who only listens to their mother, but I thought of her as a supportive older sister and daughter nonetheless." She continued, "Many have talked about the scene where Jang-ju explodes at her mother. That scene was filmed very late into the night. At that time, I felt my emotions were particularly intense, yet there were also moments of restraint. I believe my timing to let it all out was well-placed. Lee Jung-eun's acting was chilling, and while I felt I fell short in comparison, our emotional flow and character arcs connected beautifully."

With her film release approaching, Gong Hyo-jin is also receiving great acclaim for her current role in MBC's drama "Married Woman Killer."

Gong Hyo-jin shared, "During 'When Camellias Bloom,' the film 'The Most Ordinary Love' was released, and I was so busy with stage greetings that I couldn't keep up. That film eventually reached nearly 3 million viewers, but only later did I realize, 'Wow, it hit 3 million?' I still remember that moment vividly. It felt like a dream or reality. As for the ratings of this drama, I don't know how they will turn out, so I try not to get too excited. At the same time, I remain joyful and hopeful."

Gong Hyo-jin added, "Honestly, when people talk about 'a Gong Hyo-jin drama,' I'm not sure what kind of feeling they expect. I've never once thought, 'This feels right.' Yet, when things go well, it's strange to question why, but they do succeed. It's hard to pinpoint reasons or characteristics; sometimes I feel expected, other times unbelievable. This time, the response was far more explosive than I imagined, leading me to believe I truly found the right character."

Gong Hyo-jin reflected, "I've been an actress for a long time. In the past, after finishing a project, I would constantly see my flaws. But now, when I revisit my old works, I find them cute and touching. Back then, I thought it was a period of constant growth, but I probably didn't enjoy it enough at the time." She continued, "Now that I'm older, I feel more at ease. Once I turned forty, I decided to focus on enjoying the present without worrying about future projects. Previously, my career came first, but now my happiness takes priority. I want to share this perspective with younger actors as well."

When asked if she had anything to say regarding Jung Jun-won, who recently appeared on a variety show and faced controversy over his behavior while co-starring in the drama "Married Woman Killer," Gong Hyo-jin responded, "I'd like to tell him this: It seems like something he has to go through. No one knows where public opinion or events will lead or how things will unfold. His heart must be incredibly complicated, and even watching from the outside, it looked difficult for him." She added, "However, he remained so manly and steady, saying, 'I'm fine,' without wavering. He needs to understand that not everything aligns with his wishes, but the world doesn't always go as planned. Still, he must endure well and believe things will get better." She concluded, "That friend now needs to prove himself through his work. He must show, 'I am a good actor.' I believe in him. He acts exceptionally well."

Continuing, Gong Hyo-jin said, "He is naturally mature and serious, even from an outsider's perspective. However, Jung Jun-won is someone who rarely speaks lightly. That may have been the issue in that variety show; he isn't the type to blurt things out but rather a very cautious person, which limited his dialogue. The shoot had to proceed, but since he kept pondering deeply, it felt like we kept saying, 'Okay, let's talk later,' and moved on. It's unfortunate because he is so careful and not prone to speaking impulsively. I hope people will give him a fair chance. He is also cautious in his acting." She conveyed her thoughts as a senior colleague.

Gong Hyo-jin appears to have gained more inner peace compared to before. When asked if she feels more at ease since marrying Kevin Oh, she smiled and replied, "I think so."

Gong Hyo-jin shared, "In the past, my parents were always busy no matter what I did, often saying, 'Hyo-jin, you're too busy and overwhelmed.' But after marriage, our family doubled in size, including my husband's relatives. Although I had a special career as a daughter since starting my social life, now that I am an ordinary daughter-in-law, I think I'm trying harder to become an ordinary daughter for my own parents." She added, "My family in the U.S. is also very large. So when people congratulate me on the drama's success, I told my husband that the joy and abundance I feel from my work succeeding seem to have multiplied several times over. I was truly grateful."

Gong Hyo-jin continued, "My husband asked why I thanked him, so I said, 'I don't know. It just feels like my joy has doubled because you're happy too, and the family in the U.S. is happy as well.' This emotion is familiar to me and my family, but it's new for my American in-laws. So, when more family members share this joy, my own happiness grows, and my heart becomes fuller and richer. I hope the drama continues to succeed until the end. Now that we're fully diving into romance, please look forward to it even more."

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*This content was translated by AI.