'Forehands' Jang Gyu-ri: "I'm actually an introvert... Why do I get so many bright roles? Probably because of my 'doggy eyes'" [Interview ①]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actress Jang Gyu-ri has showcased an extremely cheerful character through "Forehands."

Jang recently met with StarNews for a wrap-up interview about the tvN weekend drama "Forehands" (screenplay by Shin I-won, directed by Park Hyun-seok) at the Namu Actors headquarters on Dosan-daero in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

"Forehands" is a drama depicting the friendship, love, competition, and growth of young people who meet at an arts high school that gathers only musical geniuses. Jang played Hong Jae-in, a violinist with sensitive musical sensibilities. Jae-in, the daughter of classical artist So Sok-sa (President), possesses exceptional perfect pitch, able to recognize another person's talent as soon as she hears them play music. She not only recognized Jeong Yo's (played by Lee Jun-young) skill at first glance but has also consistently supported Bi-o (played by Song Kang) and his performances since childhood. Eventually becoming Bi-o's manager as an adult, Jae-in silently stood by his side as he struggled with Jeong Yo's disappearance, portraying deep feelings for Bi-o that went beyond those of a friend or manager. Jang injected vitality into the drama with her role as Hong Jae-in, an "extremely sunny character" full of bright and bold energy.

Jang was a member of the group fromis_9 from 2018 to 2022, began her acting career in 2019 with "Mandatory Romance Elective," and subsequently transitioned to acting by appearing in works such as "It's Okay to Not Be Okay," "Cheer Up," "Player 2: The War of the Con Artists," and "The Call."

-What are your thoughts on the wrap-up of "Forehands"?

▶I really worked hard during filming, but I can feel that many people have loved it, so I am spending these days with a grateful heart. It always seems like there is much that is lacking, so I also thought that I need to do better next time.

-What did you personally feel was lacking?

▶There were moments where the emotional line seemed to break off abruptly, and it appeared that there was still much I lacked in terms of acting.

-You are known for having a straightforward personality, but how did you portray Jae-in, the "sunny heroine"?

▶The director asked me to raise my tone significantly. I usually speak in a low tone, so I tried to raise it.

-Did you worry about standing out too much among the other characters?

▶It was not an easy task to act within a subdued atmosphere. I did act like a cartoon character on my own.

-You also played a character with a comic-book feel in your previous work, the MBC drama "The Call."

▶When playing a teenager, I had to act with that kind of tone, but when playing someone in their 20s, I tried to switch to a realistic tone. Rather than appearing separated within the drama, I acted as if we were together. I think I showed more diverse acting in "Forehands."

-Was there another character you referenced when portraying Jae-in?

▶It seems like I find characters from people around me. All my friends are extroverts, and I am an introvert who gets picked for roles. (Laughter) I tried to bring out the brighter version of myself from when I was a teenager.

-What do you think is the reason why you get many bright roles despite your actual personality?

▶It might be because of my "doggy eyes" smile. (Laughter) I am also grateful that people have said school uniforms still suit me. It seems to be largely due to the image people see.

-Did you try to show different characters according to age?

▶When playing a teenager, I even braided my hair, but when playing someone in their 20s, I tried to show a well-dressed appearance as Bi-o's manager. In terms of acting, while I appeared like a bright and cheerful child in my teenage years, I tried to show a more mature look in my 20s while maintaining a connection to the personality from my teenage years.

-Did Jae-in realize that Bi-o might not have feelings of love for her?

▶I acted thinking that Jae-in would know as well. She understands Bi-o's heart, but it seems Jae-in has lived while avoiding things.

-Did you practice for a certain period for the viola performance scenes?

▶Since the setting was not that Jae-in had exceptional viola skills, they said they would use a double, but I wanted to perform it myself, so I took lessons for about two months. I learned how to hold the instrument first.

-It is reported that your mother worked in music?

▶My mother was a high school music teacher. It was a relief when she watched me act and said it didn't seem strange and that I did well.

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*This content was translated by AI.