South Korean actress Son Ye-Jin attended an open talk session at the 21st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on Oct. 8, Saturday. There, the 34-year-old star candidly discussed how life in the spotlight has changed her life.
"As time goes by, it strikes me ever more that acting is like running in a marathon," Yonhap News Agency quoted Son as saying before a predominantly Korean crowd. An actress cannot become too emotionally bound to a single work because it wears out her energy, the "Personal Taste" star stressed.
Son, who first gained widespread fame in 2003's "The Classic," stated she was exceptionally fortunate to continue acting considering the fierce competition among the youth acting talent of today's generation. However, she admitted that acting, sometimes, turns out to be painful to the point that she wonder about to what extent she will be able to continue.
"In my recent works, I consumed too much emotional stamina that I wonder if I'd be able to give my all to the next work," Son said, adding that she endured immense emotional exhaustion while shooting "The Last Princess." "It was the most painful work of my entire career."
Since she acted as the last princess of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), "The Classic" actress stated that she had to go through a lot of questions that someone of her age would not normally have. Playing a historical figure apparently added to the pressure.
Directed by Hur Jin-Ho, the story of "The Last Princess" heavily revolve around the tragic life of Princess Deokhye in Japan after she was compelled to move there at a young age of 13 by the Imperial Japanese government. It also follows her attempts to come back to Korea.
The period drama film, which also starred Park Hae-Il, Yoon Je-Moon, and Ra Mi-Ran, has grossed $39 million since it hit the theaters on Aug. 3, according to Korean Film Biz Zone. Following its undeniable success, Son said she is now ready to add the horror and noir genres to her filmography.
Check out "The Last Princess" trailer below: