Actress Ha Young Discusses Her Role in Netflix's 'Monthly Boyfriend' and Her Journey to Acting

Actress Ha Young, known for her role as Lee Ji-yeon in the Netflix series 'Monthly Boyfriend,' opened up about the behind-the-scenes of the show and her thoughts as an actress in a recent photoshoot and interview. She shared insights on character interpretation, her career shift, her passion for acting, and future projects.

Ha Young's photoshoot for Cosmopolitan magazine was recently unveiled, showcasing her clean and clear image. Last year, she gained recognition for her role as Cheon Jang-mi in 'Trauma Center.' Despite her busy schedule with upcoming projects, her photogenic expressions and poses received praise from the staff on set.

In the interview following the shoot, Ha Young discussed her interpretation of the character Lee Ji-yeon in 'Monthly Boyfriend.' She described Ji-yeon as the best friend of the protagonist, Seo Mi-rae (played by Ji-soo), with an open-minded personality, contrasting Mi-rae's monotonous life. "If Mi-rae's color is neutral, Ji-yeon's is rainbow," she explained, noting that this was reflected in Ji-yeon's wardrobe. Ha Young, who considers herself easygoing, found it fun to amplify her feminine side for the role, which was both similar and different from her real self.

Ha Young, who studied art for a long time, is now an actress and comes from a family of doctors, which has been a topic of interest. On her career change, she said, "I always loved watching movies and dramas. After finishing my graduate studies in New York, I felt the city's immense energy, which motivated me to pursue what I wanted. I returned to Korea, took acting and writing classes, and found acting incredibly fun, almost thrilling."

When asked if she felt anxious about changing careers, Ha Young admitted, "I still feel anxious. It's a job with a lot of waiting, and I often worry about what to do when I'm not working. There's always the fear of not being chosen. That's why every scene I get to act in feels precious." Despite the challenges, she finds the process of embodying different characters enriching, saying, "Each role impacts my life, leaving no room for boredom. Completing a project is tough, but meeting a new character feels like meeting a new person. I also enjoy delving into each character's profession."

Ha Young also shared her plans for future projects. "After 'Monthly Boyfriend,' I'll be playing a prosecutor. Legal terms are quite challenging, so I've practiced a lot and received help from those around me. I also want to try action or historical genres, which I haven't done before," she said.

When asked what kind of actress she aspires to be, she replied, "I want people to feel good or find some strength in life after watching my work, just as I have felt from watching various projects."

Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr