Lee Eun-Saem Reflects on Her 18-Year Acting Journey and Close Friendships with Fellow Stars

Lee Eun-Saem, now an 18-year veteran in the acting industry, still exudes a childlike purity. Recently, she discussed her roles in the recently concluded Wave drama 'S-Line' and MBN's 'Cheongdam International High School' Seasons 1 and 2.

'S-Line' is a fantasy thriller drama that explores the mysterious red line, known as the S-Line, which appears between people who have had sexual relationships. The show delves into hidden truths and forbidden desires. In the series, Lee Eun-Saem plays 'Seon-Ah,' the niece of 'Ji-Wook' (played by Soo-Hyuk Lee) and a classmate of 'Hyun-Heup' (played by Arin from Oh My Girl). In 'Cheongdam International High School,' she portrayed Kim Hye-In, a high school student who lies without hesitation to achieve her goals, delivering a captivating performance.

Lee Eun-Saem shared her thoughts on completing 'S-Line,' saying, "The project itself had such an attractive theme that I was very satisfied. Personally, I was eager to participate in this work, and after talking with the director, I decided to take on the role of Seon-Ah. I wanted to work with the director, so I took on the challenge."

She also spoke about working with Soo-Hyuk Lee, who played her uncle in the drama. "At first, I was worried because he has such a strong presence. I wondered how I could get close to him, but calling him 'uncle' helped bridge the gap," she explained.

Lee Eun-Saem added, "Calling him 'uncle' naturally brought us closer. He was very pleasant to be around. The 99-liners (Arin from Oh My Girl, Nam Kyu-Hee) would joke and tease each other, and he fit right in, making it easy to feel comfortable."

In 'S-Line,' Lee Eun-Saem portrayed a victim of school violence, delivering intense scenes from the start. When asked about her acquaintances' reactions, she said, "My family isn't too surprised by my acting, but my father struggles to watch scenes where I suffer. He cried during 'Cheongdam International High School' Season 1 and said he couldn't watch this time either. His reaction is adorable; he seems to feel like his daughter is really going through it."

Having debuted in 2007, Lee Eun-Saem embraces her title as a former child actor, saying, "I like that it proves the path I've walked. Like all actors, I'm now focused on how to grow as an adult actor."

Regarding her childhood friends, she shared, "My friends have known me since kindergarten, so they don't find my celebrity status surprising. They often ask for autographs from Ye-Rim (Red Velvet's Yeri), Soo-Hyuk, or Arin, but I've never obliged," she laughed. "Recently, they told me my acting has improved, which felt like recognition."

Lee Eun-Saem also highlighted her friendship with Arin from Oh My Girl, who played Hyun-Heup. "Even after the project ended, I frequently keep in touch with Arin and Kyu-Hee. We all go to the same gym, and after workouts, we often grab meals together," she said with a smile.

Lee Eun-Saem shares a close bond with her co-stars, including Red Velvet's Yeri and Oh My Girl's Arin, who are the same age. "These days, I meet Ye-Rim (Red Velvet's Yeri) the most. We usually meet one-on-one, while I meet Arin and Kyu-Hee as a trio occasionally," she said.

She also boasts friendships with fellow actresses Shin Eun-Soo, Jo Yi-Hyun, and Yoon Seo-Ah, dating back to high school. "We always spend New Year's Day together, counting down and chatting. Even if there's an awards ceremony, we make sure to meet afterward. It's a given that we meet during this time," she explained.

Lee Eun-Saem described her friendship with Jo Yi-Hyun, who recently starred in 'Gyeonu and Seonnyeo,' as more of a school friend than a professional colleague. "Yi-Hyun and I feel like school friends. We don't discuss acting or watch each other's work. It's more about girl talk," she said. "We rarely talk about acting, just saying things like 'You looked pretty in that.' Still, working with close friends would be a lot of fun. Going to the set would be a joy," she added with a laugh.

Lee Eun-Saem expressed her intention to watch 'Gyeonu and Seonnyeo,' starring Jo Yi-Hyun and Chu Young-Woo, both born in 1999. "I haven't seen it yet, but since they're both 99-liners, I must watch it. I've seen many clips on Instagram. Yi-Hyun won't be upset; she'll understand I haven't watched it yet," she said.

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