[Interview] "You and Everything Else" Park Ji-hyun's Acting Out a Cancer Patient

"I was losing weight, but my face was swelling up. That's when I thought, 'This is it'."

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Actor Park Ji-hyun shared her preparation process during a press interview on September 25 to mark the release of the Netflix series "You and Everything Else".

"You and Everything Else" is the story of two friends, Eun-joong and Sang-yeon, who, throughout their lives, are bound by moments of admiration, jealousy, affection, and resentment. Park Ji-hyun plays Sang-yeon, delivering a nuanced performance that traces the character's journey from her 20s to her 40s, leaving a lasting impression.

The series touches on themes such as cancer and assisted death. To portray a cancer patient, Park Ji-hyun explained that she conducted extensive research and even practiced fasting to immerse herself in the role.

She said, "In the 40s as a patient, I observed a lot and also tried fasting. For about two to three weeks, I only drank water and coffee. My body grew thin, but my face swelled and turned sallow".

She went on, "I realized I needed my face to look puffy. So right before filming, I cried on purpose. I would sob at home for two to three hours and then head to the set with my face swollen from tears".

For her portrayal of Sang-yeon in her 40s, Park also drew inspiration from the stylish older women around her. She even purchased luxury items herself to prepare for the role. When asked what the most expensive item was, she cautiously answered, "A watch", adding with a laugh, "It's too flashy, so I don't actually wear it".

Speaking about her portrayal in her 20s and 30s, Park Ji-hyun said, "In her 20s, Sang-yeon's family falls on hard times, and even the refrigerator at home is empty. I thought it would make sense for 20-something Sang-yeon to look thin. But the filming sites were freezing, so I had to layer on a lot of clothes. I even wore about six thin electric heating pads at once. There was also a scene where I had to fall into the sea, and we filmed it in the middle of winter".

She continued, "In her 30s, Sang-yeon is more established in her career, so I intentionally gained a little weight to show signs of aging".

Park also admitted to feeling a sense of guilt toward Kim Go-eun, her co-star. "Every time I saw her, I just started crying", she recalled. "I wasn't supposed to cry in front of her while she was filming her scenes, but the tears kept coming".

When asked about the sensitive theme of assisted death, Park Ji-hyun spoke carefully. "It's something that's taboo to discuss easily in ethical, legal, and social terms. As an actor who played a character dealing with it, I don't think I'm in a position to speak carelessly. But from Sang-yeon's perspective, I found myself looking at it differently. I think I'm still not free from that mindset", she said.

She added, "Even if we can't choose to be born, I don't think it's entirely wrong for someone to have the freedom to choose their own death. But that's just a deeply personal opinion".

As for what Eun-joong and Sang-yeon mean to her, Park Ji-hyun reflected, "While filming, I didn't feel any sense of pressure or worry. But afterward, I realized that even long after we wrapped, Sang-yeon's values lingered with me. I always thought I was someone who could clearly separate myself from the roles I play, but with this one, I noticed those values still stayed with me. It was the first time I thought, 'Maybe I haven't fully separated from this character yet'."