"If Eun-bin decides to do ('Extraordinary Attorney Woo' Season 2), of course, I would do it too (laughs). If others are doing it, there's no reason for me not to join. It's not really about whether I want to do it or not. It's such a great work with significant meaning, so if it happens, I'd love to be a part of it. On the other hand, if it doesn't happen, I won't be too hung up on it."

Actress Ha Yoon-kyung recently sat down for an interview at a cafe in Gangnam, Seoul, to commemorate the conclusion of the tvN weekend drama 'Undercover Miss Hong' (hereafter 'Miss Hong'). A graduate of the Korea National University of Arts, Ha Yoon-kyung made her debut in 2015 with the National Theater Company's 'Ballad for Roxanne' and gained significant recognition in 2022 through her role in ENA's 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' alongside Park Eun-bin. Since then, she has built her filmography with various works such as 'See You in My 19th Life' and 'Gangnam B-Side', and recently left another memorable performance in 'Miss Hong' with Park Shin-hye, showcasing a 'womance' narrative.

'Miss Hong', featuring Ha Yoon-kyung, is a retro office comedy set in the late 1990s. It follows the story of elite securities supervisor Hong Geum-bo, who goes undercover as a junior employee at a securities firm to investigate suspicious financial activities. The show started with a 3.5% viewership rating and steadily climbed to 13.1% by episode 15, ending on a high note with double-digit ratings. Ha Yoon-kyung played the role of Go Bok-hee, the eldest sister of Room 301 and the dedicated secretary to the president of Hanmin Securities. Her portrayal of a character who is tough on the outside but warm on the inside received praise for its natural and immersive performance.

Earlier this year, reports surfaced about the possibility of a second season for 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo'. Ha Yoon-kyung candidly responded, "I haven't heard anything directly, so I'm not sure about the exact situation." She added, "I don't know why there's so much talk about 'Woo Young-woo 2'. If they call me, I'll go. If they don't, it's fine. I don't have any regrets. I'm not one to dwell on things that have ended. I think there's a charm in leaving when the applause is loudest, but there's also a charm in returning when the applause is loudest, so I think both are good," she said with a smile.

Ha Yoon-kyung, who somewhat anticipated the success of 'Miss Hong', said, "The script was really fun. I think the director made the direction and editing very interesting. It could have been tedious with so many stories packed into a 16-episode series, but the director cleverly made even the heavy stories not boring at all. The script was good, and the chemistry among the actors was great. Those three elements came together to create a good work," she smiled.

Following 'Miss Hong', Ha Yoon-kyung is set to appear in upcoming projects like 'God's Marble' and 'Apartment'. She cautiously mentioned, "I'm continuously filming, but since the release timings are different, there can suddenly be a gap. I think it's the fate of an actor. I have two projects filmed, but I'm not sure when they'll be released."

She hinted at the possibility of 'God's Marble' being released first, saying, "It's a historical drama with a completely different character, so I think I can show a new side of myself. There's a lot of action, so I think I can showcase various charms." She added, "It's been about a year since we filmed, so I can't really imagine how it will turn out. I'm waiting as a viewer myself," she expressed honestly.

Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr
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