In the drama, which premiered last week, Shim Eun-kyung transforms into her first villain role, 'Yona,' delivering a performance that breaks the conventional villain mold and has garnered praise from viewers. Her cold gaze and calm voice, contrasting with her typically clear and innocent face, mark the birth of a 'legendary villain' more terrifying than any overtly evil character.
Shim explained, "I wanted to visually portray Yona's duality, which is both eerie and childlike." Her makeup, with red shading around the eyes to emphasize a desolate atmosphere, further enhanced the character's depth. Her thorough preparation, down to the smallest detail, created Yona's unique and unsettling presence.
Shim's performance in the drama has become a hot topic. In a phone conversation with Ki Soo-jong, she chillingly asks, "What are you curious about?" with a bright smile, despite the tense situation. Her indifferent expression heightens the tension, even in confrontational scenes.
Particularly, her unpredictable behavior, such as offering a shocking deal of "14 billion if you sign" and then immediately retracting it with "Let's pretend it never happened," left viewers on edge.
In the second episode, the tension escalates as Yona's company, 'Real Capital,' reveals its grand scheme. Yona's relentless pursuit to acquire properties, starting with the Jung Chang-soo Building, followed by the Se-yoon Building, Hanmaeum Building, and Jeon Yang-ja's (played by Kim Geum-soon) land, becomes more pronounced.
As Yona faces scrutiny from her superior Morgan (played by Miyavi) over a murder and pressure from headquarters, cracks begin to show in her previously perfect world. Her hidden ambitions become more intense, especially when she coldly tells a subordinate, "Wait, they say to take it easy," revealing her chilling determination towards the Se-yoon Building and Jeon Yang-ja's land. The sharpened ambition under pressure raises anticipation for the drama's future twists and turns.
Despite the strict conditions of completing redevelopment projects within legal boundaries and the threat of becoming a target for disposal upon failure, Yona's composure remains unshaken.
Shim describes Yona as "a mysterious character whose true intentions are hard to discern and whose actions are unpredictable," injecting tension throughout the drama and heightening curiosity about future developments. In just two episodes, Shim has created an irreplaceable villain that only she could portray, drawing attention to her future performances.
'How to Become a Building Owner in Korea' airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM.
Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr