'Housewife Killer' Han Chae-rin: "First bright role since debut, also interested in comedy genre" [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I want to describe Hae-na as a chick that has just hatched from its egg. I too feel like a young chick who hasn't been in the industry long. The passion Hae-na brings to her world reminds me of myself, and through this character, I actually drew strength."

Just two years after making her acting debut, Han Chae-rin entered terrestrial drama with a bright and bubbly role that left a strong impression on the public. In MBC's Friday-Saturday drama "Housewife Killer" (script by Kim Eun-hee, directed by Yoon Jong-ho and Kim Ji-hoon), the rookie reporter Hae-na closely mirrored Han Chae-rin herself. Her determination to grow despite unfamiliar surroundings and her clear, sparkling eyes were evident throughout the interview.

"Housewife Killer" is a drama depicting the struggle of a working mother with one of the most dangerous professions in the world to protect her work-life balance. The series premiered with a 7.4% viewership rating and concluded its 14-episode run with a peak rating of 10.7% (based on Nielsen Korea nationwide data).

Han Chae-rin appeared as Gu Hae-na, the junior reporter at Nattoday's social affairs department and the husband of killer Yoo Bo-na (played by Gong Hyo-jin), Kwon Tae-sung (played by Jung Jun-won). Gu Hae-na, a rookie reporter full of passion and determination, was a young professional eager to have her abilities recognized. Han Chae-rin naturally infused the character with her unique fresh aura and bright energy, creating Hae-na's distinct charm.

Han Chae-rin brought vitality to the drama as Gu Hae-na, from her youthful joy after writing her first solo article to her growth into a justice-driven reporter who roamed crime scenes alongside senior reporter Kwon Tae-sung.

Han Chae-rin began her entertainment career in 2021 by appearing in the music videos for Coyote's Shin Ji's "Maemjjim" and Na Yoon-kwon's "I Want to Hold You." She gained practical acting experience through the stage play "Candy in My Ear" in 2022 before officially debuting as an actress in 2024 with TVING's "I Dreamed of Cinderella Out Loud." Since then, she has taken on supporting and lead roles in dramas such as "Zero Hour Is Insa Time," "Riding Life," "Unknown Seoul," "Siren," and "Sister War."

-"Housewife Killer" achieved strong viewership ratings. Since this was your first terrestrial drama, haven't you felt a rise in recognition?

▶Since this was my first terrestrial drama, many women from my mother's generation recognized me. Parents contacted me through friends, and family members enjoyed seeing me in various scenes. Recently, I caught a cold and visited an internal medicine clinic, where they recognized me there too. It was embarrassing but made me feel good. I felt the power of terrestrial broadcasting.

-A wrap party for "Housewife Killer" was held on the 14th of last month. What kind of conversations took place?

▶The viewership ratings were excellent, creating a wonderful atmosphere. The seniors were in good spirits, and I felt great too. Since the team was diverse, I didn't often get chances to meet all the actors, but the wrap party allowed us to bond well. We gathered after episode 5 ended, and the seniors praised me by saying, "You looked so pretty," making me feel like I was flying.

-What was it like working with senior actress Gong Hyo-jin on set?

▶During dinner gatherings, I tried my best to approach the senior and start conversations. She is a highly respected senior, so being in the same production was an honor for me. Senior Gong Hyo-jin kept sharing meat with me and took great care of me. Her personality was so wonderful that I fell for her all over again.

-How did you prepare for and portray the spirited rookie reporter Gu Hae-na?

▶I have mostly played calm characters until now, so I tried to bring out a brighter side. In daily life, I made an effort to meet more friends. My hairstyle also changed; while I usually wore my hair down, this time I switched to a ponytail. I also engaged in dynamic exercises like swimming and running.

-Hae-na was portrayed as passionate and bright. What aspects of her resemble the real Han Chae-rin?

▶I want to describe Hae-na as a chick that has just hatched from its egg. I too am a young chick who hasn't been in the industry long. The passion Hae-na brings to her world reminds me of myself, and through this character, I actually drew strength. Hae-na often wrote down her resolutions on sticky notes and stuck them up; I do the same with my own memos.

-How did you prepare for the role of a social affairs reporter?

▶I tried to get closer to the profession itself. Since childhood, I have been interested in social issues, so I believe I resemble Hae-na. She seemed to approach her reporting with a strong sense of responsibility. I aimed to portray Hae-na's inner desire to expose even events that could easily be buried.

-Playing Hae-na must have reminded you of your first acting role as a rookie two years ago.

▶Back then, I was just like Hae-na, constantly asking, "Huh? What?" while trying my best not to cause trouble on set. I focused intently on hearing when my character's name was called and memorized the script thoroughly so I could deliver lines immediately. It feels like my behavior from early in my debut continues today, and I realized I must stay focused.

-Whether as an actor or in other professions, the process of approaching seniors as a newcomer seems similar.

▶Before every shoot, I would cautiously approach Senior Jun-won to review the script together and take photos. He would happily accommodate me, offer encouragement, and create a supportive atmosphere. In reality, he took excellent care of me and was very kind. He always asked, "Have you eaten?" and treated me to meals, including expensive dishes like boiled pork belly. (Laughs)

-How was the acting chemistry between you and actor Jung Jun-won in your roles as junior and senior reporters?

▶We were always together, and I think our banter worked well. Senior Jun-won seemed like a senior who wanted to teach me everything. When I was worried early on about whether I was doing well, I asked him, and he encouraged me by saying, "You're doing it your own way." Those words gave me tremendous strength. Seeing my anxiety, he comforted me. Just being on set together was empowering.

-Is there a senior actor you admire and wish to emulate like Tae-sung?

▶Senior Kim Hye-soo has been my role model since my entrance exam days. I tried to follow all her interviews and variety shows because there are so many aspects of hers that I want to emulate as an actress. I would love to actually talk with her and work together.

-"Housewife Killer" gained popularity following its original webtoon, and this drama has also become a hit.

▶I think the refreshing plot progression is the main reason. As episodes unfold, Bo-na solves cases, and there was fun in seeing various characters appear diversely.

-Are there any memorable viewer reactions or descriptive phrases you recall?

▶I remember viewers saying, "All the characters are perfectly matched," and expressing their immersion by saying, "We want Bo-na to appear sooner." It also felt good when people watching real crime news would say, "Housewife Killer's Bo-na should come out."

-What kind of work will "Housewife Killer" be remembered as for you?

▶It was a project that recharged my passion and energy. I was given substantial screen time with responsibility, and the outcome turned out well, which made me happy. While playing this bright role, I now want to challenge myself in the comedy genre even more.

-If you were to introduce yourself with your MBTI type?

▶I am an INTJ. I am still like a young chick, feeling that there is much I lack and need to learn. Even basic things like how to eat or walk are stages I am currently discovering, so I want to show the public my growth process. I will work very, very hard.

-How did you get started in acting?

▶I began with entrance exam acting and pursued it further. Being interested in media, I studied acting in that direction and eventually joined my current company through a good opportunity. Initially, I was curious about how I would appear in media, so I started with commercials and music videos. I believe acting is more important than just looking pretty, but acting remains a challenging field, and I want to keep learning. In the future, I hope to be called "a real actress."

-What are your hobbies or personal interests?

▶I think it's painting and singing. Doing either of these immediately relieves my stress. When I feel inadequate as an actor or get upset, painting and singing help me relax. For painting, I do Pipo Painting.

-What kind of actress do you want to become in the future?

▶I want to be an actress who remains true to her and works hard. I believe I will someday become an actress people can trust and rely on. I always try to stay humble, never want to forget gratitude, and aspire to be a good person.

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*This content was translated by AI.