[Interview] "Made in Korea" Won Ji-an, "A Blank Canvas... Prove It With Acting"

"(Director Woo Min-ho) told me that I'm like a blank canvas. I think that's the greatest compliment an actor can receive. I'll strive to deliver performances worthy of that".

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There was a reason why actress Won Ji-an (26), now in her sixth year since debut, has been showing a new side of herself in every project. Her chameleon-like image has resonated strongly with directors.

Speaking with Maeil Business Newspaper Star Today to mark the conclusion of Season 1 of the Disney+ original series "Made in Korea", Won Ji-an shared her thoughts, saying, "I'm happy to see such positive responses after working so hard on it. It's a project that feels truly rewarding".

"Made in Korea" is set in 1970s South Korea, a time marked by both turmoil and rapid growth. The story follows Baek Gi-tae (Hyun Bin), a businessman who seeks to rise to the pinnacle of wealth and power by turning the nation itself into a profit model, and Prosecutor Jang Geon-yeong (Jung Woo-sung), who relentlessly pursues him with fierce determination, as they confront major incidents that cut across the era.

In the series, Won Ji-an plays Choi Yoo-ji, a powerful figure and lobbyist within an Osaka yakuza organization. She delivers a chilling transformation, portraying barely concealed desire and icy charisma.

Regarding the role, Won Ji-an said, "I felt pressure wondering whether I could convincingly portray a yakuza character. The director told me he sensed a sharp, cold, blade-like image in me. I tried to express that as best as I could".

To portray Choi Yoo-ji, a character of Korean-Japanese background, she also devoted herself to studying Japanese. "I worked hard on learning Japanese", she said. "I think my naturally low, mid-range voice also helped with the yakuza role. I paid close attention to speech patterns and tone in my performance".

She shared the screen with acclaimed senior actors such as Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong. "When I saw the lineup of senior actors and the scale of the project, it felt overwhelming", she admitted. "But I thought of it as a mountain I needed to climb, and I quietly immersed myself in acting".

The foundation of her confidence came from the encouragement and trust of director Woo Min-ho. Won Ji-an recalled that he described her as having "the feel of a blank canvas", adding, "I think the directors I've worked with so far have all seen different sides of me".

This speaks to her versatility, an image well-suited for diverse and non-stereotypical transformations. "It makes me reflect on my image again and gives me the motivation to challenge myself even more", she said with a smile.

The male-driven historical drama "Made in Korea" proved to be an invaluable learning ground for Won Ji-an. She explained, "On set, it went beyond simply learning from watching senior actors perform. There were also materials available that helped us understand the historical context of the 1970s. I was able to study the era while acting".

For Won Ji-an, this project marked her first time filming outside Korea, in Japan, as well as her first time performing in a foreign language rather than Korean. Although she felt intimidated at first, she said that once she actually experienced it, she found her own sense of stability and realized she could continue taking on such challenges in the future.

"I think having a comfortable mindset on set is very important as an actor. Given the scale of this project, there was definitely tension and pressure, but the senior actors and all the staff made me feel so comfortable and considerate that I was able to act more proactively and naturally".

She has appeared in major works such as "D.P", "Hope or Dope", "Squid Game", "Tempest", and "Surely Tomorrow". Describing her journey, Won Ji-an said, "I was lucky", but added, "Even now, every time I go to act, it feels like my first time. Since everything still feels new, all I can think about is giving my best to the character I'm playing".

She continued, "I do think my acting spectrum has expanded a bit. Using this as a catalyst, I want to show many different sides of myself without limiting myself to any particular genre".

Expressing her desire to try historical dramas, Won Ji-an shared that she stood out while learning traditional Korean archery during her university years. "Someday, I want to play a historical character who shoots a bow", she said confidently.

Eager to challenge herself in as many projects and genres as possible, she also left audiences with anticipation, expressing confidence that in Season 2 she will show a more daring and fearless side than in Season 1.

"I don't think anyone will regret watching "Made in Korea". I'm confident that my more aggressive performance will capture the interest of many viewers".