Kim Sejeong Reflects on Her Role in 'The Moon Flows Over the River': A Journey of Growth and Gratitude

"I was so focused on my role that I didn't pay attention to how I appeared on screen. During those times, Tae-oh oppa would say, 'Sejeong, you're looking really beautiful in this scene. Don't try to ruin it on purpose, just act comfortably,' and I can't forget those words."

Recently, Kim Sejeong sat down for a roundtable interview at a café in Gangnam. She stars as the lead character, Park Dal, in MBC's Friday-Saturday drama 'The Moon Flows Over the River' (hereafter 'The Moon River'), alongside Kang Tae-oh, who is two years her senior. 'The Moon River' is a historical fantasy romance drama about a crown prince who has lost his smile and a bodyguard who has lost his memory, featuring a soul-switching twist.

Prior to 'The Moon River,' MBC faced a series of low ratings with dramas like 'Bunny and the Oppas,' 'Mary Kills People,' and 'To the Moon.' Amidst this, Kim Sejeong's 'The Moon River' was scheduled as the last MBC Friday-Saturday drama of the year, drawing significant attention. The director had expressed concerns about the pressure of ratings at the production presentation, saying, "I feel like I'm going to die from the pressure." However, 'The Moon River' achieved a respectable 3.8% viewership rating from its first episode and concluded with a peak rating of 6.8% on its final episode aired on the 20th.

Kim Sejeong, who debuted in 2016 after finishing second on 'Produce 101,' has transitioned from idol group activities and a solo singing career to a flourishing acting career. She proved her worth as a lead actress in the 2020 drama 'The Uncanny Counter' and expanded her global fanbase with 'Business Proposal' in 2022. However, last year's 'Drunken Romance' received lukewarm reviews. As she marks her 10th year since debut, Kim Sejeong took on her first historical drama, raising curiosity about whether she could overcome the disappointment of her previous work.

In 'The Moon River,' Kim Sejeong took on the challenge of playing three roles, continuing to captivate audiences with her sunny image that has been beloved since her 'Produce 101' days. Nearly a decade later, she once again proved her presence as the 'sunshine heroine' through her character, marking a new milestone in her career.

Kim Sejeong expressed her gratitude towards Kang Tae-oh, praising his support. She said, "Tae-oh oppa listened to me a lot. He tried to follow my lead whenever possible. While he held the main framework, he would ask me how I wanted to approach the details, and we completed it together."

"He always said, 'Sejeong, do whatever you want.' Thanks to him, I could act comfortably. Not only Tae-oh oppa but also the director and other staff members always asked for my opinion first, showing their consideration."

Kim Sejeong added, "They would ask, 'Can you shoot this scene?' or 'Are you okay with how you look after editing?' I was fine with everything, but I was touched by how they considered and asked about everything. The chemistry we have now was possible thanks to Tae-oh oppa and the 'The Moon River' staff."

She shared, "I often joked around during rehearsals. Oppa would play along but was very serious when needed. We practiced by swapping scripts and recording on our phones."

"Since we had to switch souls, our chemistry was crucial. I asked a lot of questions, but it wasn't just about getting answers; we exchanged energy, which was comfortable and nice. We relied on each other a lot. I often say, 'The Moon River' wouldn't have been possible without Kang Tae-oh."

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