“Forehand” Introvert Jang Gyu-ri: The Secret Behind Guiding Song Kang and Lee Jun-young as an “Extroverted Sunny Heroine” [★ FULL INTERVIEW]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

“In reality, all of my friends are extroverts, and I’m actually the introvert who gets chosen. Jae-in was trying to bring out the brighter side of me from when I was a teenager.”

Actress Jang Gyu-ri recently starred as the "sunny heroine" in tvN's weekend drama "Four Hands" (screenplay by Shin I-won, directed by Park Hyun-seok). Her character, Hong Jae-in, is a bright and carefree woman who grew up without any hardships, yet possesses an extraordinary eye for discovering prodigies. The role was a perfect match for Jang Gyu-ri's signature smiling eyes.

However, in reality, Jang Gyu-ri is introverted yet easygoing. This passage allows one to infer just how much effort he put into portraying Jae-in-i’s dramatic personality.

“Forehand” 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 Gyu-ri plays Hong Jae-in, a violinist with sensitive musical sensibilities in the series. Jae-in, the daughter of classical artist So Sok-sa (President), is a character born with exceptional perfect pitch, able to discern a person’s talent simply by listening to their music. She not only recognized Jeong Yo (played by Lee Jun-young)’s skill at first glance but has also been cheering for Biao (played by Song Kang) and his performances since childhood. Eventually becoming Biao’s manager as an adult, Jae-in quietly stands by his side as he struggles with Jeong Yo’s disappearance, portraying deep feelings for Biao that go beyond those of a friend or manager. Jang Gyu-ri injected vitality into the drama through her portrayal of Hong Jae-in, a character described as having bright and bold energy.

Jang Gyu-ri was a member of the group fromis_9 from 2018 to 2022. She began her acting career in 2019 with "Essential Romance Elective" and subsequently transitioned into acting, 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 finale of "Forehand"?

"I really worked hard during filming, and I can feel that many people are loving it, so I am spending these days with a grateful heart. I always feel like there is much that is lacking in my work, which also makes me think that I need to do better next time."

What they felt was lacking about themselves.

Some emotional lines appeared to be abruptly cut off, and the acting still seemed to have many shortcomings.

- He is known for having a straightforward personality, but how did he portray the role of 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 not worry about standing out too much among the other characters?

It was not an easy task to act within the downloaded atmosphere. I did, however, perform like a cartoon character on my own.

In the previous MBC drama "The Call," I also played a character with a comic-book-like feel.

▶ In my teens, I should have acted with that kind of tone, but in my 20s, I tried to switch to a more realistic tone for my acting. Rather than appearing separated within the drama, I acted as if we were together. I feel like I was able to show a wider range of acting in "Four Hands."

Was there another character that served as a reference when you played the role of Jae-in?

It seems like they are looking for a character from among people around them. All of my friends are extroverts, while I am an introvert who gets picked out. (Laughter) I tried to bring out the brighter side of myself from when I was in my teens.

Why do you think bright roles are often offered to you, despite your actual personality?

It may be because of my smiling eyes, which are said to resemble those of a dog. (Laughter) I am grateful that some have also told me that I still look good in a school uniform. It seems to be largely due to the image people see.

-Did you try to show different characters depending on age groups?

In her teens, she sometimes wore her hair in braids, but in her twenties, she aimed to present herself as a well-dressed manager for B.O.Y. In terms of acting, while she appeared bright and cheerful like a child in her teens, she sought to portray a more mature character in her twenties, maintaining a sense of continuity with her teenage personality.

-Biora may have realized that feelings of love might not exist, and perhaps Jaeein was aware of this as well.

I thought Jae-in would know, so I acted it out. While I understand Bi-o's feelings, it seems that Jae-in has been living while avoiding them.

-Was there a period during which you practiced for the viola performance scene?

"Jae-in's character is not portrayed as having exceptional viola skills, so they offered to use a stand-in for the playing parts, but I wanted to perform it myself, so I took about two months of lessons. I learned how to hold the instrument from scratch."

It has been reported that your mother was involved in music.

"My mother was a high school music teacher. I felt relieved when she saw me acting and said it didn't seem strange to her and that I had done well."

What was your first impression when you read the script for “Forehand”?

"I am someone who believes in the power of music and finds comfort through it, which is why I wanted to work on a classical music project. The story of a young person growing up through music was very appealing to me, and Jae-in was incredibly attractive as a character to me. I also believe that the world can be afraid of geniuses, but I found it admirable that Jae-in strives to show the world what a genius is."

Like Re-jin, is actress Jang Gyu-ri also good at discovering the strengths of others?

I also tend to be good at picking up on other people’s strengths. When I notice a particular strength in someone, I think about how I can help that strength stand out more clearly.

-What kind of existence was rain to Jae-in?

▶ I heard that the author set up a premise in which Biao and Jae-in have been close friends since childhood, and that when Jae-in’s parents divorced, she found great comfort listening to Biao’s music. It seems that Jae-in would have perceived Biao’s music as something that embraces and comforts her.

If you have someone you like, do you tend to approach them proactively, like Jae-in?

I’m not the type to approach someone as boldly as Jae-in does; I tend to flirt quietly instead.

How did Song Kang and actor Lee Jun-young look in their school uniforms?

Just by looking at the two of them standing together, they looked as stylish as models. The age gap among the three of us is not that large. I did not put on the school uniform simply out of pure joy, but because the uniform was so beautiful, I wore it with a sense of gratitude.

Actor Song Kang is also reportedly an introvert. How did you become close with him on set?

▶ (Including Lee Jun-young), all three are introverts, but Song Kang was quite playful. It seemed like he was deliberately trying to lighten the mood.

-Among the three introverted actors, who was the one who took the lead in driving the atmosphere?

▶ (Song Kang) It seems that my older brother took the lead, likely because he is the eldest. Actor Jun-young and I were born in the same year, but our birthdays are different. He told us to sort out how we address each other properly. Since Lee Jun-young has many friends who were also born in 1996, there was a concern about confusion, so it was decided that I would be addressed as the younger one.

How did they see off actor Lee Joon-young when he enlisted in the military?

I recently got in touch with my older brother, and because he looked well, I told him that military service seemed to suit him. He appeared to be at peace of mind.

Between actors Song Kang and Lee Jun-young, which one is closer to actress Jang Gyu-ri's ideal type?

"Perhaps because I acted as Wae-in, I looked into Song Kang's eyes a lot, and they were like precious gems. Based on our bond, I would choose Song Kang," the person said with a laugh.

There were also reactions that the kiss scene in the drama was "out of place."

I had thought that such a reaction might be possible. It is understandable to feel that way because the storyline between Bivo and Jae-in has not been sufficiently developed. However, I believed that Jae-in had liked Bivo for a long time, and that it was less of a kiss between a man and a woman than an act of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Bivo, who was struggling.

There are also reactions wishing that Biora would become a "regretful man" regarding Jae-in-i. So, what will ultimately happen to Biora?

I believe it will be a valuable experience for Jae-in to have liked someone for such a long time, and I think she will grow in her own way. Whether Biao regrets it or not, I feel that Jae-in will remain the same.

What do you think about how "Forehand" depicted the growth of the three main characters?

▶ I ultimately believe that everyone has grown. It seems that Jae-in has also grown in her own way. In the end, Jae-in is portrayed as having a relationship with Biao that appears to be either friendship or something more ambiguous. While Biao was once everything in Jae-in's life, she later comes to support him.

They showcased a variety of outfits. Was there any particular outfit that you liked the most?

In Part 6, there was a scene depicting the relationship between Biao and Jae-in ten years later. Because it was filmed in Prague, I like the costumes from that time. My heels were worn down, but because the overseas filming schedule was tight and speed was important, I didn't have the time to worry about it.

What aesthetic does actress Jang Gyu-ri pursue?

They tend to wear a lot of comfortable clothing and prefer training wear. This is the exact opposite of Jae-in.

Having been in the arts, physical education, and sports field, you have likely seen many naturally gifted talents.

Rather than feeling that he was a genius, I felt that "this person makes things very comfortable for me." Because I realized he was born differently from me, I did not feel envious of him.

If you had any words you wanted to say to Jae-in, what would they be?

Rein will become the representative of an artist management company. I hope he does well in that role.

At this point, what genres and characters are you eager to take on?

▶ I would like to try everything at the Navy Headquarters. Since I played a character who follows my mother into music, it would be fun to also play a soldier following in my father's footsteps. I would also like to try historical dramas.

-You are in your seventh year as an actor. In what areas do you feel that you have grown?

"This time, while portraying a range of emotions and characters across different age groups in 'Forehands,' I also felt my growth throughout the process."

In an interview four years ago, you said that the descriptor “actor” felt awkward. How do you feel about it now?

It feels as though modifiers are not important, and it seems that viewers will simply watch what they see on screen.

-If there is something you want to continue for a long time like Jae-in, what would it be?

I want to continue acting for more than 20 years. I do not believe that I have ever taken on a role feeling completely prepared since my debut. It seems that when given a role, I give it my best effort.

There were also many perspectives that viewed "Forehand" through the lens of the Boys' Love (BL) genre.

When I first read the script, I knew that Jung Yo-rang and B.O were deeply intertwined through music. The work belongs to the viewers, so I respect all of it.

What music did you listen to for healing during difficult times? Is there any music you would recommend these days?

From a young age, my mother made sure I learned to play at least one musical instrument. I studied piano and guitar, among others, which allowed me to turn to playing music during difficult times. I recommend the song "Dandelion" by Woo-hyo. There was a period when I pondered, "What is love?" After listening to it, I thought, "So this is what love feels like? I want to experience this kind of love too."

What are the plans for your next work?

The film "Perfect House," which was screened at the Busan International Film Festival, is set to be released in theaters. The project marked a new foray into the occult genre, with the lead appearing on screen with minimal makeup.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original