Jung Ryeo Won
I first met her as the second lead in My Name Is Kim Sam Soon, and while perhaps she still hadn’t fully reached her potential as an actress, it was definitely a memorable role (although of course it’s hard to compare with Kim Sun Ah, who was my other option, but there is still a bitter taste in my mouth after Masked Prosecutor so I couldn’t choose her in good faith). She’s also just a lovely person in general, and I love seeing what she’s doing beyond Dramaland – whether it’s art, fashion, or just updating us on the animals in her life. (Why yes, I am an Instagram stalker.)
But the past few years have shown that she’s a versatile actress who seems to choose interesting roles that appeal to me on a deeper level than most leading ladies.
Of note:
The sassy and spirited foul-mouthed chaebol daughter Yeo Chi who had to learn to be poor in History of Salaryman. I’ll never hear the phrase “You’re fired!” the same way again.
My vague interest in Bubblegum immediately leapt to “must watch!” when I learned she was cast as the lead, and while I enjoyed the show very much, I’m not sure if I would have stayed with it through the emotionally heavy middle-section if it weren’t for her ability to bring a delicate sensitivity and realness to Haeng Ah and her struggles as a career woman with her love life, friends, and family.
My favorite role of hers – and one of my favorite dramas – is writer Lee Go Eun in King of Dramas. There was just something magical about this drama and the entire cast, really, but Jung Ryeo Won was especially delightful and it solidified her as one of those actresses who I will watch no matter what.
Bonus:
Stepping outside of Dramaland, Castaway on the Moon is one of my favorite Korean films. If you haven’t seen it, then I highly recommend it. It’s hard to describe – it’s definitely not a thrill-seeking action-paced film, or a rom-com, or any of your standard films. It has a languid pace that allows you to spend time with this two unusual characters who are “castaway” on their solitary islands – be it a literal island or the island one creates in one’s mind. Plus it’ll make you realize that, yes, you can get jjajangmyeon delivered anywhere.
The Obsessive Dilettante 