Im Se-mi bids farewell to 'Try: We Become Miracles' as the series wraps up with a heartfelt message.
SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Try: We Become Miracles' concluded on the 30th with overwhelming viewer support. Im Se-mi, who portrayed the role of Bae Yi-ji, a shooting coach at Hanyang High School, shared her thoughts on the series finale.
Bae Yi-ji is a character who struggles between dreams and reality but continues to push forward with relentless effort. Im Se-mi brought this character to life with unwavering determination and warmth, making her relatable to viewers. Her portrayal of a coach supporting her students' growth while pursuing her own dreams resonated deeply with the audience.
In the final episode, Bae Yi-ji's decision left a lasting impression. Competing in the national sports festival, she overcame her slump and reached the finals with stable shooting but chose to withdraw, shocking viewers. She stepped back to support Seo Woo-jin (played by Park Jung-yeon), who was left without a coach after the dismissal of coach Jeon Nak-gyun (played by Lee Sung-wook).
Holding Seo Woo-jin's hand, she said, "My game ended a long time ago. I just had lingering regrets," delivering a poignant farewell to herself.
Concluding her career as an athlete, Bae Yi-ji accepted the offer to become the head coach of Hanyang High School's shooting team, marking a new beginning as a mentor. Her journey of growth and transition received enthusiastic support until the very end.
Exclusive Q&A with Im Se-mi
Q. How do you feel now that 'Try' has concluded?
A. It's truly bittersweet. From the first episode, I knew it would end someday, and that thought left me feeling empty. This project was special because I hoped that my co-stars, including Yoon Kye-sang and the youth of our shooting and rugby teams, would be loved. It's hard to believe that I'm saying goodbye to the sparkling 'Try' that I enjoyed filming.
Q. Preparing for a sports drama and the role of a shooting coach must have been challenging. Can you share your preparation process and any difficulties you faced?
A. Every new character is a challenge. Playing Bae Yi-ji, a former shooting athlete turned coach, required learning shooting techniques. I needed strong arm muscles to keep the gun steady in front of the camera. After intense focus, I felt refreshed, like after meditation. I also pondered a lot about my relationship with Joo Ga-ram. How would past emotions evolve after reuniting? How much did they care and trust each other to get so angry? I simulated these scenarios and discussed them with Yoon Kye-sang and the director, making it challenging but enjoyable.
Q. Bae Yi-ji dreams of being a national representative while coaching. What did you focus on to portray this character?
A. Many people are stuck in the present or tied to the past while pursuing their dreams. I could relate to that. Yi-ji is a character who could easily appear timid, but I wanted her to be resilient and determined. I didn't want her to seem defeated. I drew from my past experiences, where I was told, "Isn't it time to quit? You've tried enough." Yi-ji faced harsh realities despite support, and I channeled those emotions into my performance.
Q. Bae Yi-ji is a character who constantly strives. Did you find moments of comfort or strength while portraying her?
A. Yi-ji is realistic yet frustrating, often called a 'sweet potato character.' Many people experience such moments in life. Despite this, she stands firm on her path, which I see as a great courage. Even if regrets linger, I admired her determination to keep going. It was comforting for me.
Q. Are there similarities between you and Bae Yi-ji? What message do you want to convey through her?
A. Yi-ji's situation is uncomfortable and frustrating, making it easy to empathize. She lives for her dreams and chooses the path of a coach for others' dreams. I believe 'the courage to give up' is also courage, and I applaud Yi-ji for that. I think this was the message the writer and director wanted to convey.
Q. How was the chemistry with your co-stars? Any memorable episodes during filming?
A. It was fantastic. Every moment was dazzling, and we laughed every day. Even Lee Sung-wook, who played a villain, lifted the mood on set. (Laughs) Every moment with them was joyful.
Q. Your chemistry with Yoon Kye-sang, who played Joo Ga-ram, was a highlight. How was it working with him?
A. I'm a fan of g.o.d. (Laughs) My Buddy Buddy ID was 'Kye-sang's wife,' so this project made me a 'successful fan.' Kye-sang was always supportive and brightened the set. He made it easy for me to act, even when Yi-ji was in frustrating situations. His dedication to each scene was impressive.
Q. 'Try' was praised as a growth drama for adults, not just a youth story. Did you feel personal growth as an actor through this project?
A. Every character in the series experiences painful growth. Participating in an SBS drama after a long time helped me take a step forward. I believe every project contributes to growth, even if there are regrets during monitoring. As an actor and in life, I'm still experiencing growing pains, but I see it as a necessary process.
Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr