Actress Kim Yoo-jung recently spoke about the intense experience of portraying a ruthless anti-hero in Tving’s hit drama “Dear X.”
In an interview with Xports News, she revealed moments when she was shocked at her own performance, stating, “Sometimes I watch the scenes and feel like I have lost short-term memory. I can’t even recall certain emotions because they were so shocking. Seeing myself act so cruelly toward Huh In-kang (played by Hwang In-yeop) surprised me many times.”
“Dear X” tells the story of Baek Ah-jin, a woman who dons a mask to climb the social ladder from the depths of hell, crushing anyone who stands in her way. Kim Yoo-jung’s performance as Ah-jin has been hailed as her most intense and transformative role to date, earning her praise as a “newly discovered side of Kim Yoo-jung.”
Reflecting on the most challenging scenes, Kim Yoo-jung explained that her difficulty came not from acting itself, but from concealing personal emotions in moments of sadness. She said, “Scenes where Huh In-kang and his grandmother depart were emotionally heavy. It’s not just Ah-jin feeling sorrow anyone in that situation would feel pain. It was challenging to express these layers while staying true to the character.”
Ah-jin is portrayed as a sociopath, removing obstacles without hesitation. Asked how she managed her mental state while playing such a dark character, Kim Yoo-jung admitted, “I still don’t know how to handle it. It remains a challenge for me.” She also noted that she deliberately kept herself separate from Ah-jin, ensuring that her personal emotions stayed intact despite the character’s cruelty.
Behind the scenes, Kim Yoo-jung’s professionalism extended to the young actors on set. She personally oversaw the psychological support of the child actor playing her younger counterpart, Giso-yu, collaborating with the directors and on-set counselors to provide a safe environment. She shared, “I realized from my own experiences as a child actor that unaddressed emotions can leave lasting impacts. I wanted to ensure the young actors received proper guidance.”
Despite the drama’s dark themes, Kim Yoo-jung praised the supportive atmosphere on set. She said the directors, Lee Eung-bok and Park So-hyun, maintained open communication, allowing her to safeguard her personal space and feel grateful for the environment.
Sources: Xports News,Tving