Park Min-young Discusses Her Transformative Role in tvN's New Drama 'Siren'

Park Min-young, who famously lost weight down to 37kg for her role as a cancer patient in tvN's 'Marry My Husband' two years ago, has opened up about her dedication to her new project 'Siren'.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, the production presentation for tvN's new Monday-Tuesday drama 'Siren' was held online. The event was attended by director Kim Chul-kyu and actors Park Min-young, Wi Ha-jun, and Kim Jung-hyun.

'Siren' is a captivating romance thriller about an irresistible insurance fraud suspect and a man who delves into the deadly truth surrounding her.

Park Min-young plays the role of Han Seol-ah, the chief auctioneer at Royal Auction. Returning to tvN after two years, she shared, "People joke that I'm tvN's daughter. It's not just because it's tvN, but the charm of this project and the lingering thoughts it left me with. It seemed like an excessive challenge for me. I've never played a fatal role or been in a genre piece, so I was worried if I could do it well. Initially, I declined, but later I thought it would be a big challenge for me. I decided to trust the director and the actors and give it a try. It was a new challenge for me, and I think the effort I put in and the help I received are reflected in the final product, making it a grateful project."

Regarding her character, she explained, "Han Seol-ah is someone who doesn't eat well. Because of the many tragic events around her, she only has water and alcohol at home. She's professional outside but extremely lonely when alone. She's a character suffering from emptiness. I thought a plump appearance wouldn't suit her. So, I ended up drinking only water and alcohol. During filming, I drank 3 liters of water a day. Returning to being Park Min-young after filming was actually a problem. It helped portray Han Seol-ah's sharp appearance, so I think it was a good choice."

Regarding her chemistry with the cast, Park Min-young said, "I'm really grateful to the director for introducing me to actors who act with sincerity. The atmosphere on set was kind and warm. When the camera rolled, everyone naturally focused. We would chat and laugh, but as soon as the camera started, everyone transformed into their roles within three seconds. It was amazing. I even heard ringing in my ears." When Park Kyung-lim joked, "Maybe it's because you only drank water," Park Min-young laughed and said, "That could be it."

Wi Ha-jun plays Cha Woo-seok, the ace of the special insurance fraud investigation team who pursues the truth about Han Seol-ah. He said, "In the past, action scenes focused on power and intensity, but this time, I wanted to express Cha Woo-seok's state, emotions, and relationships through action. I slowed down the tempo a bit and showed more of my face. It was action focused on emotion."

Kim Jung-hyun takes on the role of Baek Joon-beom, a mysterious emerging tycoon. He commented on the set atmosphere, "It was so enjoyable. Noona tried to keep the mood dark, but I tried to keep it bright. I felt sorry, wondering if I caused the ringing in her ears." He added, "We tried to film healthily, laughing and maintaining a good atmosphere. The first day of filming was just as I imagined. I found the script really fun, and it seemed everyone else did too."

Director Kim Chul-kyu discussed the intent behind the production, "Since the main setting is a high-end art auction house, we set the sets, costumes, and props as lavishly as possible. Especially with many art pieces appearing, copyright issues were quite tricky. We commissioned or rented works from various artists. I think this drama might feature the most art pieces ever. These works aren't just background props but interact with the characters' psychology and music, enriching the episodes."

He continued, "Initially, the setting of an art auctioneer was burdensome with many concerns. But in the end, it was a stroke of genius. I expect it to be a drama that captures both romance and thriller with a sophisticated mise-en-scène and a gripping narrative."

Regarding the music, Director Kim said, "Given the romance thriller genre, ordinary music wouldn't suffice. We requested unique and original music that could only be heard in this drama. Fortunately, the music directors created many great tracks that fit well with the scenes. Those involved in post-production were also satisfied."

He highlighted the viewing points, "'Siren' balances thriller and romance. The two elements blend perfectly without leaning too much to one side. Each episode is very intriguing, and I believe it will create a strong curiosity that makes viewers eager to see the next story."

'Siren' premieres on March 2 at 8:50 PM.

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