Ahead of the finale episode of She Would Never Know on March 9, its lead stars share personal thoughts about the series through an exclusive interview with iQiyi!
An iQiyi Original and Exclusive, She Would Never Know (previously known as Sunbae, Don’t Put On That Lipstick) is about a determined cosmetic brand marketer, Yoon Song Ah (played by Won Jin Ah), who aspires to start her own make-up line one day.
Her love and vigor for her job captured the interest of her colleague, Chae Hyun Seung (played by SF9’s Rowoon). However, Song Ah’s reluctance to accommodate younger guys as dating partners makes this pull-push romance between the two exciting for fans who’ve followed it since its debut.
The drama comes to a close this coming March 9 on iQ.com. Before the show wraps up, lead stars Won Jin Ah, SF9’s Rowoon, Lee Joo Bin and Lee Hyun Wook share their personal experiences in filming the series and in working with each other.
Check out their answers in this exclusive interview with iQiyi.
Part I: Won Jin Ah
Describing her character Yoon Song Ah, the actress mentioned her dreams of having her own cosmetics brand since she works at a cosmetics company as a professional brand marketer.
She revealed her quite extensive preparation process as a cosmetic brand marketer. From learning through YouTube vlogs of beauty influencers and cosmetic brand marketers, she also met with real-life cosmetic brand marketers through the help of the production team.
“They were more dignified and honest than I imagined, very impressive. They know what suits them and how to groom up appropriately when expressing their individuality. In a sense, Song Ah would also have a mindset of being the face of “KLAR”, so I tend to be more attentive to the makeup, hairstyle and dressing that create who Song Ah is, hoping that every single detail could well reflect the love and passion Song Ah has for her career.”
Real-Life Makeup Routine
Interestingly, in real life, Won Jin Ah goes for 5-minute makeup routine. She mentioned being unfamiliar with the procedure of applying cosmetics and how it takes time.
“I like something simple. Haha. Even so, my must-have item is (same with the drama title) lipstick! Lip color is the key point. I have many lip products with similar colors. I would apply the same lip product to cheeks to function as blusher as well.”
On a side note, she was also asked about her skincare since the pandemic situation required mask wearing.
“I think giving up on makeup is more skin friendly when you wear mask, so I would intentionally give up on makeup recently. With that, the preparation period is shortened as well. When I get back home, I would carefully do the cleansing to ease the stuffy skin I got during the daytime.”
On Portraying Yoon Song Ah
When asked what she liked about Song-ah or if she finds any similarities, she responded soundly.
“I think Song Ah’s advantage is her “kindness” that can neither be looked down on nor thoroughly treated. She is proud of her job, thinks and acts independently without going with the stream, and all this makes her very cool.”
She further construed how Song Ah tends to be clumsy and dull when it comes to personal issues with family and romance.
“She’s particularly charming as she is kind of “looking strong with soft heart” style who can’t stand someone else being treated unfairly but can silently bear whatever comes to her. She is trustworthy and sensible with everything, but on the other hand, that would draw sympathy, comfort and embracement.”
Interestingly, Won Jin Ah shared that she is the same as Song Ah in terms of being ambitious at work with the goal of doing it right all the time. She mentioned how Song AH skipping work to be at KLAR store is like how she likes working nonstop in real life.
Why She Picked She Would Never Know
When asked why she accepted her newest drama, the actress confessed being attracted to the intense and provocative title. She further conveyed that after the script reading, she empathized on how Song Ah overcame her hardships.
“After the script reading, I felt empathy in the story that calmly and serenely explains the emotions which could be fully experienced in real life. I was attracted by the reversal between title and content, it was the best opportunity for me to take the role in this charming drama.”
Based on a novel, Won Jin Ah disclosed her character depiction was conceived together with the creative team and actors. She added how they always shared prompt ideas freely while filming to keep up with a balance of Song Ah and all the characters.
A Happy Working Relationship With Rowoon
Relaying her first impression, Won Jin Ah thought Rowoon as bright and healthy guy who is active in various areas. But while working together, she got surprised of his solemnity and carefulness
He has an in-depth mindset and very open-minded. On the other hand, he also has a bit of ambition for being humorous, making jokes and getting funny with around, thus creating a happy and lively shooting set.
She’d rather have the audience grade their chemistry level and preferred to grade her happiness while working with Rowoon.
“It’s 100 points out of 100 points!,” Won Jin Ah declared.
Acknowledging the mature romance story, the actress remarked what’s special in She Would Never Know compared to other dramas.
“With Song Ah and Hyun Sung sharing their stories and wounds with each other, the simple senior-junior relationship at work between two became equal as romantic relationship. I find it very special. Also, I feel the support from audience on them growing and developing by cultivating love and finding selves.”
Favorite Scene in the Series
Sharing her perceived impressive and interesting scene in the series, the actress explained it convincingly.
“I’d like to pick the first scene in the first episode, where Song Ah and Hyun Sung were having a meeting. They were both crediting each other’s work. It clearly presents their relationship as a kick-start of the drama. These lines explain that they are senior-junior relationship at workplace. However, in the last scene in the first episode, when Hyun Sung wiped the unsuitable lipstick off Song Ah’s lip, their relationship suddenly started to change. It was very impressive that the contrast between opening and ending alone could demonstrate the story flow.”
Part II: Kim Rowoon
For his second male lead role, Kim Rowoon shared his preparation to his marketer role. From playing the role of a student, he interestingly fascinates just the same in a workplace series.
The idol-actor profoundly dug on philosophy and psychology books while consulting people to help create a picture of a grownup character. But he realized that people’s perspective might be different even though we live in the same world.
In addition, he practiced phonation and pronunciation a lot to express his lines more accurately. He also read the script with creative and innovative spirit.
On Portraying Chae Hyun-seung
In She Would Never Know, Rowoon portrays Chae Hyun-seung. He is capable at work and doesn’t seem to have any flaws, except for not being good at
expressing his true feelings. He was content to keep his love for Song-ah a secret until he found out her boyfriend may be two-timing her.
Rowoon was asked how he would deal if he is in the same scenario and which parts about Hyun-seung did he want to have.
“Actually, I don’t know how the real me will handle love. I don’t really know what kind of person I am as well. I just accept Hyun-seung’s love as what it is. The title is unique and has a sexy air. The character of Chae Hyun Seung is somewhat of a fantasy character so when I first heard the title I thought it was sexy.”
Working with Won Jin Ah
Talking about his shared moments with Won Jin Ah while filming, the actor was greatly impressed.
“A lot of ideas happened to me while I was reading the script. When I expressed them during filming, I found that Jin-ah noona is a very open and flexible actress. I believe that is what they call the best colleagues.”
Delineating the actress merits as a good senior, Rowoon admired her for being charismatic. Since they have never worked in an office before, he has a lot of questions. She suggested about how they could express things better.
He also picked the scene when he chatted with Won Jin Ah’s character at a barbecue restaurant to be his favorite in the series.
On Fond Memories About She Would Never Know
Taking pride of the message of the series, Rowoon asserted that each and every moment was unforgettable for him in the series. All scenes were special and he hopes all of them could stay in his memory.
Sharing tips on how to feel good, he said, “Love yourself. People imagine and think, making endless possibilities. Therefore, the most important thing is to love yourself.”
Part III: Lee Joo Bin
Suiting up to the role of Lee Hyo-joo, granddaughter of the founder of KLAR, the company brand name in the show is actress Lee Joo Bin.
The actress outlined her character as someone who has everything and always looks so confident and fearless, but she doesn’t quite know how to love others.
She said, “She would hurt herself while hurting her loved ones. She is a character struggling between the extremes of reason and instinct.”
In the series, she plays an attractive photographer, so she was asked about her photography skills in real life.
“People around me always say I am notoriously bad for taking photos, though I think I’m not that bad, they all say it was just so-so.”
On Portraying Lee Hyo Joo
Detailing the preparations she had, she confessed figuring out and visualizing the storyline of Hyo-joo was the hardest.
“It was not presented in the script. It is a challenge for me to express so many deep and strong emotions in the drama,” she said.
Previously, she worked on rom-coms so she narrated how she challenged her newest role.
“The character Hyo Joo is not a villain but she needs to express strong feelings in many scenes, which are no less intense than a villain would do. It was interesting to me that she would scream out loud and let off steam totally oblivious of others in the show.”
On Being Part Of She Would Never Know
When asked about the complicated romance depicted in the series, Lee Joo Bin asserted how She Would Never Know fully portrays what is likely to happen and feelings that are genuine.
She also have fond memories in the scenes where KLAR staff were all dining or working together pushing her curiosity on how it would feel like to work in a group.
Revealing Hyo-joo’s cool and confident character appealed to her and part of the reason why she accepted the drama offer, she also thinks the unique drama title is interesting.
Favorite Drama Scene
Chronicling one of her unforgettable moments during the shoot, Lee Joo Bin picked the scene outside the bar all alone in the snow.
“There was a scene in which Hyo Joo was shouting out of the bar all alone in the snow. Though it was just a shot, I felt at that moment I was getting into that character completely as if I were her. That scene was filmed over and over again, and I’m catching a cold from it and cannot even say a word the next day. Still it was a whole new experience for me, so I remember it quite clearly.”
For her character to shine through, she talked about how the relationship between Song-ah and Hyun-seung in this drama is ordinary, but their feelings are delicate and persuasive, which added layers to the show’s quality.
“Their stories are not that different from those in realities. Plus, plots like office romances are prone to become conventional if not elaborated well, but from what I’ve seen, it portrays quite well of how these two people engage with each other from just coworkers into a more intimate relationship.”
IV. Lee Hyun Wook
Playing an office worker in the drama, Lee Hyun Wook responded to how it differed to his previous roles and what’s charming in his character.
He said, “Rather than charming, it is in a way, driven by the desire of human beings, I think it’s a character that anyone under materialism has thought about at least once in their imagination.”
Unveiling the reason why he took the role, he explained the intriguing facets of his character.
“In some ways, Lee Jae-shin is the most conflicting and narrative character in the drama. He awakens due to his childhood memories, he is a character who only looks forward to success. Therefore, he hurts himself without knowing it. Rather than offering an appearance, I met with the production team for the first time through an audition and meeting. They were such good people and they trusted me a lot. I was lucky to work with these people.”
On Portraying Lee Jae Shin
Asked if he also chose to hide in his pain and if he shares similarity with his latest character, Lee Hyun Wook replied genuinely.
“I don’t usually say that I’m having a hard time seriously and I try to solve it by myself. I don’t like depression or stagnation caused by me, so I try to keep my mood from becoming an attitude. Maybe these aspects are similar to Jae-shin.”
Selecting the memorable moments while filming, he answered not realizing it at the time of shooting.
“At that time, I was busy filming that I didn’t know, but I think I relied on a lot and worked happily on this kind and warm scene. Now that I think about it, every moment was warm and unforgettable for me.”
According to the first week’s broadcast, Lee Jae-shin hid his engagement and secretly dated Song-ah for two years. The actor shared his thoughts upon reading the script and what he would advise his character.
“Regardless of the reason, deceiving my lover itself is not only angry, also I can only be seen as a bad guy. The most upsetting thing about the character Lee Jae-shin was his actions after the marriage secret hidden from Song-a being discovered. But, on the other hand, he really loved Song-a, so he thought it would have been harder to say, so I want to say that he is a sad piece of trash.”
Favorite Scene + Dream Role
Selecting the most interesting scene in She Would Never Know, the actor said it would be the part where Hyun-seung and Song-ah poured their hearts out. It’s a moment containing the core and starting point as well as destination of the drama.
Drawing the live adaptation of his character which is based on a novel, he said the production team and the author made Lee Jae-shin a narrative character rather than a consumable character.
“It may be unfortunate, although I don’t think Song-a and Hyun-seung are not perfect match, I tried to be faithful to the script by making it a humane
character.”
Answering soundly what makes the drama special compared to other romance stories, he said, “Both straightforward and fairy-tale parts coexist, so it seems more mature than the romance we knew before. Rather than conclude that it is a simple love story, it is better to think that it has expanded and deeply draws human relationships and love.
When asked about his dream role, the actor who has been proving his wide acting range hopes to work in a black comedy.
“Rather than playing a dream role, I want to try black comedy these days. Rather than setting something down, I want to continue to try and challenge new acting and do everything if there are interesting characters.”
She Would Never Know On iQiyi
She Would Never Know will mark its final episode on March 9. Don’t miss it on iQIYI!
For access to new episodes as they drop, viewers have the option to sign up for weekly Standard VIP subscription at PHP49, or monthly Standard VIP account at PHP99 or a Premium VIP account at PHP249.
About iQiyi International
Headquartered in Singapore, iQiyi International is an on-demand video streaming service providing beloved pan-Asian entertainment to international viewers. Offering both ad-supported and VIP subscription services, iQiyi International delivers premium drama series, movies, variety shows, and anime; with local languages and subtitles; powered by cutting-edge technology.
iQiyi International also makes its technology available to other entertainment services through SaaS partnerships. iQiyi International can be enjoyed on any device via iQ.com and the app. iQiyi International is owned by iQiyi, Inc. (Nasdaq: IQ).
KDRAMADIARY thanks iQiyi for the interview transcript
Photos: iQiyi & JTBC
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