With the recent conclusion of Lost, Jeon Do Yeon recounts her impression of her character through an exclusive interview with iQiyi!
Starring Jeon Do Yeon and Ryu Jun Yeol, Lost portrays the story of how people experience the darkest bottom in their lives, and strive to heal from their past experiences.
Jeon Do Yeon plays the character Bu Jeong, a ghostwriter who now secretly works as a cleaning house manager, feeling she has not achieved anything in life.
In an exclusive interview with iQiyi, actress Jeon Do Yeon talks about her experiences while filming Lost, and also shares her thoughts about her emotional character Bu Jeong.
Accepting the Role
Talking about what enticed the actress into accepting the drama, Jeon Do Yeon instantly praises the script.
“The script is amazing. When I read the script, I cried so much when I got to Episode 4. I’ve filmed quite a few works with heavy stories before, so I try to avoid this genre and film more relaxing and interesting stories, even if it takes up more time.”
Adding to what she has said, the actress appreciates how the story’s directed to finding the light.
“I’ve been waiting for a production like that. Although this drama is a bit dark, it’s a story about searching for the light. That’s why I ended up choosing to film Lost.”
On Portraying Bu Jeong
Unlike Bu Jeong in the first episode, the actress reveals she has never experienced crying on a bus. She also notes her differences and similarities with Bu Jeong.
“Perhaps Bu Jeong and I express ourselves differently, but I think we both consider a lot of things and think deeply. I think we’re quite similar in regards to certain small details. In contrast, I think the way we deal with our wounds and disappointment is different.”
Differentiating herself from Bu Jeong, the actress explains how she handles her troubles in life.
“I’m more of the type that doesn’t want my family to worry. Moreover, the troubles are my own, so I usually wait until everything is over, then I tell my family what I experienced in the past.”
As Bu Jeong has a lot of thoughts, the actress shares how she gradually understood her character.
“In order to understand and convey Bu Jeong’s thoughts, I considered a lot and gradually started to understand her character. It even made me want to encourage her. Bu Jeong may be a bit slow, but she slowly heads towards the light and changes her direction in life. I hope the audience can give her encouragement too.”
Ryu Jun Yeol’s Positive Energy
Cooperating with Ryu Jun Yeol in this drama, the actress recalls her first impression of him.
“The first scene we filmed together was the scene on the bus. At the time, Bu Jeong was crying and Kang Jae had to keep talking. At first, I thought this scene was quite challenging, but Jun Yeol led the scene very well. He grasped the rhythm very well and he was very natural.”
She acknowledges the relevance of Kang Jae in portraying Bu Jeong, and also commends Ryu Jun Yeol’s initiative.
“Through Kang Jae, this scene was able to show what kind of person Bu Jeong is. We didn’t have to talk about coordinating with each other or worry about anything. When I observed on the sidelines during filming, Ryu Jun Yeol would try his best to take more initiative.”
Appreciating Kang Jae as well as Ryu Jun Yeol, the actress wishes the actor well in his future endeavors.
“As time passed, this touched me. Just like how Bu Jeong ended up accepting Kang Jae, I think I also gradually started accepting the actor Ryu Jun Yeol and accepting others. I kept observing them and had anticipation. I also really look forward to seeing how Ryu Jun Yeol will do as an actor and as a person in the future.”
Adding up to what she has said, the actress tells about the interesting things on set such as wondering why she always laughs when she sees Jun Yeol.
“He has very bright and positive energy that makes people laugh. The positive energy that he brings lasts until the end in every scene we film together.”
Preparing for Bu Jeong
Being praised by the director for her good acting skills at the press conference, Jeon Do Yeon laughingly answers that she has no secret tricks that help her get into character, and wishes there were.
“It’s exactly because I don’t have any that I always find new troubles and get intensely emotional in every production. I hope to do my best to find the positioning of my roles.”
As Bu Jeong’s emotions fluctuate a lot, the actress reveals that she has not used any references to prepare for this drama.
“The most important thing is to read the script and understand how Bu Jeong thinks, like why she is in so much pain and why she is so sad. I raise questions as I try to feel Bu Jeong’s emotions and ask “Why?” I think this is very important in regards to getting the feel of my character.”
Worrying how tight her character was, the actress feels at ease after time has passed, stating her gradual understanding of her own character.
“Bu Jeong’s character is wrapped up very tightly, so I was most worried about how to open her heart. At first, I put in a lot of effort to try and understand her character, but as time passed, I didn’t have to try so hard anymore. Kang Jae gradually helped Bu Jeong open up, so I was naturally able to feel the same emotions as Bu Jeong.”
Expressing Bu Jeong’s Emotions
Bu Jeon is an emotional character that may be energy-consuming to play, and the actress admits it is not easy to understand Bu Jeong’s mind process. She states that the way Bu Jeong accepts such emotions is complicated compared to everyone who has experienced setbacks and pain before.
“I kept thinking about why she is like this even until the end. It was indeed emotionally tiring throughout the filming of the show. Even though Bu Jeong had such an ending in “Lost,” it still leaves a deep impression.”
Instead of forcing oneself to get out of character right away, the actress shares how she just waits for those emotions to melt and fade away.
“Since it took time for me to accept Bu Jeong, I also want to wait for the same amount of time to send her away.”
Even at the beginning of the drama, there were a lot of crying scenes such as the time when Bu Jeong faced Jung Ah Ran directly, and went to the police station by herself. The actress recognizes the existence of both weak and strong moments in a person’s life.
“I think it’s the same for Bu Jeong. She may look weak, but to protect herself, this character also uses every bit of her strength to clash with this world and does her best to live on.”
The actress feels glad that her character wishes to live on despite not understanding everything about Bu Jeong.
“Even until now, I still don’t completely understand everything about Bu Jeong. I’m just glad she doesn’t want to die and wants to live on. If Bu Jeong was someone around me, I would want to quietly wait for her to open her heart.”
Plans for Future Roles
Even though the actress may have been in the industry for 31 years since her debut, playing various roles, there are still characters she wishes to portray in the future.
“I think there are many more characters I haven’t played yet. I still have a long way to go, so I really look forward to it.”
Watch Lost, now available on iQiyi.
KDRAMADIARY thanks iQiyi for the interview transcript
Photos: iQiyi & JTBC
