Park Bo-kyung. Eljulai Entertainment
The mystery-thriller series ‘Lady Dua’, starring Park Bo-kyung, was named the most-watched non-English show on Netflix worldwide for two consecutive weeks.
According to the Netflix Top 10 tallied on Tudum, Netflix’s official site, on the 4th, from the 23rd of last month to the 1st of this month ‘Lady Dua’ logged 4.3 million Views (Views·the value obtained by dividing watch hours by runtime), ranking No. 1 among non-English shows.
As Jeong Yeo-jin, who holds both desire and deprivation, Park Bo-kyung made a strong impression globally.
Park Bo-kyung said, “Because the work was released during the Lunar New Year holiday, I received many messages from family and acquaintances saying, ‘I enjoyed watching it over the holiday,’ and thanks to that I was able to spend a bountiful New Year. People overseas also sent messages, and I once again felt the power of the work.”
The following is a Q&A with Park Bo-kyung.
Q. Since ‘Lady Dua’ was released, it has been loved around the world. How are people around you reacting?
Because the work was released during the Lunar New Year holiday, I received many messages from family and acquaintances saying, ‘I enjoyed watching it over the holiday.’ Thanks to that, I too was able to spend a bountiful New Year. People overseas also sent messages, and I once again felt the power of the work.
Q. When you first encountered the character Jeong Yeo-jin, what struck you as most compelling?
I felt that Yeo-jin thinks she is hiding herself, but in truth her inner feelings are transparently revealed. Her candorand the way that makes her seem even lonelierdrew me in.
Q. Yeo-jin is a complex character in whom desire and deprivation coexist. What did you focus on most when interpreting her?
I believe that, at least in front of Sara, Yeo-jin wanted to be ‘an easy woman’. She really became that. (laughs) She wanted to become friends, and she is someone who ultimately could not accept that the relationship had collapsed. On the surface she hid behind the pretext of an investment relationship, but in truth her longing for a personfor a friendwas greater. I tried not to lose sight of that sincerity.
Park Bo-kyung. Eljulai Entertainment
Q. The line “Sara that day was perfectly perfect” conveyed Yeo-jin’s inner self well. What emotions did you want to express in that scene?
I wanted to express the feeling of love at first sight. I really couldn’t help falling for her. (laughs) It’s the flutter and yearning when Yeo-jin faces someone she can never reach. I wanted to capture the sensation of emotions she had never experienced rushing in all at once.
Q. In the confrontation scene with Sara Kim, you portrayed in fine detail the shift from anger to cool composure. The single line “I have no victimization to report” was a turning point in the narrative. What did you focus on while acting this moment?
She likely did not want to show a wounded side in front of Sara. That was Yeo-jin’s way of protecting herself. Even while knowing it was already irretrievable, she chose to finish while pretending to stay cool to the end. I tried to portray a psychology that swallows tears and resentment and attempts to fill the emptiness with money.
Q. Your womance with actor Shin Hye-sun also drew a great response. Any fun episodes during filming?
Shin Hye-sun is a truly wonderful actor. Standing in front of her made me feel as if I had become Sara Kim. She looked at me kindly, smiled at me, and even gave me gifts. (laughs)
The most memorable scene was the one by the Han River where we drink soju with a whipped-cream cake; it was a really cold day. Shivering, with my lips frozen stiff, I was drinking whipped cream and ice water, and I was truly startled by that hand wiping my lips. In all my life, I thought the only person who had ever wiped something off my lips with a hand was my mom. That act genuinely made me tense and fluttery… Yeo-jin’s startled look was real. (laughs)
Q. Regarding the desire-filled character Jeong Yeo-jin, some viewers said, ‘If it were me, I would have invested 15 billion won.’ What observational points did you reference when building the character’s details?
I wanted Yeo-jin to be someone who makes ‘all or nothing’ choicessomeone who trusts her own judgment over others’ gazes. Whatever the outcome, I wanted to portray a woman who takes responsibility herself.
Park Bo-kyung. Eljulai Entertainment
Q. What do you think Jeong Yeo-jin’s final ending would be like?
Yeo-jin made 16.5 billion won including interest. I think she would have protected the brand called ‘Nox’ well. (laughs) I believe she is someone who would have gotten back on her feet, one way or another.
Q. As you let Yeo-jin go, what was most regretful, or most relieving?
There are scenes that make me wonder what it would have been like if I had acted when I was a little closer to actor Shin Hye-sun. I tend to be somewhat shy and nervous at first meetings, so I think that tension wa captured on screen as it was. Still, that atmosphere may instead have worked as a subtle tension between the characters. (laughs)
Above all, I am relieved that Yeo-jin did not ultimately collapse financially. If she had lost all her money as well, Yeo-jin might truly have gone mad. I am deeply grateful to director Kim Jin-min and writer Chu Song-yeon for leaving Yeo-jin as resplendent as a peacock until the very end.
Q. As a wrap-up interview, if you were to define this work in one sentence?
A luxury piece in the drama world. Lady Dua.
Q. Beyond the acting you showed in this work, what genres and characters would you like to explore going forward?
Rather than being bound by genre, I want to perform the diverse stories of ordinary people that are naturally embedded in our lives. If it’s a role that, at my current age in my 40s, I can present most convincingly, I want to take on any character with sincerity.
Q. Lastly, a word to those who loved ‘Lady Dua’.
I think this is the first time, through ‘Lady Dua’, that the work and the character I played have received such great interest and love. I sincerely thank you. This work remains deeply meaningful not only for its value as a ‘masterpiece’, but also because it allowed me to pose the question of what a real life is.
I am still a work in progress, but I will continue striving to be an actor who conveys the authenticity of life through good performances. Wishing you a Happy New Year, and may health and happiness always be with you.
