Han So-hee Discusses Her Role in 'Project Y' and Personal Growth

"Not everyone can think the same way. If there are ten people, not all ten will like me. If I keep questioning 'why?', there will be no progress. It's better to accept some things and consider them as constructive feedback. Still, I hope people like me. Haha."

Renowned as an 'iconic actress,' Han So-hee candidly shared her thoughts during an interview for her latest film, 'Project Y.' Her straightforward approach mirrors her character Mi-seon in the movie.

'Project Y' tells the story of two protagonists on the brink of despair who resort to stealing money and gold bars. Han So-hee plays Mi-seon, a character who loses everything due to an unexpected event just before acquiring a flower shop. Though she appears fragile, she is resilient.

In this project, Han So-hee collaborated with fellow actress Jun Jong-seo. She explained her choice, saying, "I wanted to work with Jun Jong-seo and was impressed by director Lee Hwan's 'Park Hwa-young.' More than the script, I was excited about the people I would work with." Han So-hee even attended a meeting with the director alongside Jun Jong-seo and sent her a direct message expressing her desire to be friends.

"I don't usually send DMs to just anyone, but I did. I personally wanted to get closer. Haha. Jong-seo seemed different from me, yet similar. I sent a message out of the blue, and she responded willingly, so we met right away."

Their real-life friendship naturally translated into on-screen chemistry. Did they find each other different or similar when they met in person?

"We both seem to have a strong sense of humanity. We communicated well from the start. We discussed how to approach our work with love as a foundation and what it means to act well, common topics among actors. Since I didn't major in acting, Jong-seo, who did, was like a senior to me."

Regarding her criteria for selecting roles, Han So-hee said, "I often get roles where life is tough, a parent is absent, or there's death. I prefer characters who overcome adversity rather than those living ordinary lives." When asked if she prefers growth-oriented characters, she joked, "Not anymore. I'd like to play a rich daughter and act comfortably."

"I believe there's strength in expressing emotions more realistically during times of sorrow and hardship. I think I understand emotions more deeply, which is why I've preferred such characters."

Han So-hee revealed that she pursues 'overcoming adversity and growth' in her real life as well. "I believe there's no end to 'learning.' Now that I'm in my 30s, I think about living better than last year, and I realized that having the ability to control myself is key. That's also a form of learning. Excelling in my profession as an actress is part of that learning. Growth is my main focus."

Han So-hee's candid nature has sometimes led to controversies. In March 2024, her relationship with Ryu Jun-yeol and subsequent breakup sparked debates due to her social media comments. When asked if she felt wronged by the SNS controversy, she said, "The feelings of burden or injustice are diminishing. As the years go by, I realize that while I'm an actress, I'm also someone who receives public love, so I need to accept certain things."

Known for her fashion sense and hairstyles, Han So-hee's social media photos often become a topic of discussion. She stated, "I've always dressed this way. It seems many people appreciate my unique style. I don't choose outfits just because I'm going somewhere."

She has removed her arm tattoos, explaining, "In this line of work, I often have to wear dresses and meet various characters. Tattoos on my arms can limit the roles I can take and the clothes I can wear, which would be a disadvantage for me. So, I removed them. I might get them again later, but for now, removing them was the right choice. It was quite painful, though," she laughed.

When asked about new hobbies for stress relief, Han So-hee replied, "I'm looking for a new hobby. After 'My Name,' it was exercise. Working out relieved my stress, so I went to action school regularly. Recently, I'm looking for hobbies I can do at home. These days, I write in a diary. I've heard that keeping a diary helps manage emotions."

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