Kang Mina Shines in Netflix's 'GIRIGO': A Journey of Growth and Friendship

Singer and actress Kang Mina has once again made her mark as an actress through the Netflix series 'GIRIGO' directed by Park Yoon-seo. In a candid interview, she shared her thoughts on acting, her chemistry with fellow young actors, and her regret over missing the 10th-anniversary reunion of I.O.I.

'GIRIGO' is a YA horror series that follows high school students who receive a sudden death prophecy due to the curse of a wish-granting app called 'GIRIGO.' Kang Mina plays the role of Im Nari, a character who stands out with her glamorous appearance and affluent background.

In a recent interview with TenAsia, Kang Mina revealed that she joined 'GIRIGO' through an audition. She said, "When I first saw the script, I felt sorry for the character Ari. Despite the dramatic situations, I thought it was too much for an 18-year-old girl to handle." She added, "I wanted to portray Nari's emotions and felt a strong desire to take on this role, which made me prepare even harder for the audition."

Kang Mina also spoke about her camaraderie with her co-stars. "Since we are all around the same age, it felt awkward to be the 'big sister,' but I tried to create a friendly atmosphere by suggesting we have meals together," she said. "Though I'm introverted, we became close through active group chats."

Expressing satisfaction with her co-stars, Kang Mina noted, "The overall chemistry was great. Actor Hyun Woo-seok played a comedic character on set, and his unique and honest personality made him the mood maker."

She also shared a memorable moment with co-star Jeon So-young, "Initially, I was hesitant to approach her, but after our first shoot, I gathered the courage to invite her for dinner, which she declined. Later, we talked for three hours at the dorm and became close friends."

Kang Mina added, "We became so close that during emotionally intense scenes, there was no tension. We visit each other's homes and share our worries, and we still keep in touch every other day."

Since its release on the 24th of last month, 'GIRIGO' has garnered approximately 2.8 million views, ranking 4th in the global TOP 10 non-English shows. It has entered the TOP 10 in 37 countries, including South Korea, Mexico, India, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE, and Turkey.

Regarding the reactions after the release, Kang Mina recalled the support from Park Ji-hyun, her co-star in the upcoming project 'Going to Work Tomorrow.' "Ji-hyun sent me a supportive message saying she was eagerly waiting for 'GIRIGO' to be released," she said. "Her comment, 'Why are you so good at being mean? You're really different,' left a lasting impression on me."

Kang Mina also mentioned, "Comments like 'This is a different side of Mina' stood out to me. Even though I didn't aim for it, I thought it might come across that way because of the villain role."

Her passion for acting was evident. "I found myself talking a lot about acting, which shows how much I love it," she said. "It's rewarding when people notice the small details I focus on, and I appreciate the feedback that my acting has improved." She added, "These aspects motivate me to continue acting."

Previously, Kang Mina announced she would not participate in the I.O.I 10th-anniversary reunion. She expressed her regret, saying, "Everyone is so busy, and I didn't reach out due to their hectic schedules." She added, "We support each other through Instagram comments and likes on Reels, showing our mutual encouragement."

Kang Mina also reflected on how her experience from audition programs influences her current activities. "Performing on stage helps me feel less nervous during promotions or variety shows," she said. "Although acting scenes can be nerve-wracking, I'm less anxious than before."

Reporter: Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr