Veteran actress Oh Hyun-kyung, who debuted in 1988 and was born in 1970, has expressed heartfelt gratitude for her role in the new MBC daily drama First Man. At the drama’s press conference held on December 10 at the MBC headquarters in Sangam, Seoul, Oh opened up about her character, the production, and the state of the entertainment industry.
First Man is a revenge drama that follows two women: one who takes on another’s life to exact revenge, and the other who steals a life for her own desires. The intense, life-or-death clash between the two forms the core of this gripping series.
Oh Hyun-kyung plays Chae Hwa-young, a character who appears to be a dutiful daughter-in-law in front of Chairman Ma but is secretly condescending and duplicitous. Speaking about her approach to the role, Oh said, “I believed the best way was to stay faithful to the script, which was already detailed and thorough. The director also helped guide our emotions so we wouldn’t go off track.”
She reflected on a line her character says: “I don’t want to be like a fish flailing on a chopping board, always chosen by others. I want to live a life where I can choose for myself.” Oh noted that while Hwa-young may have believed her ambitions were justified, they were ultimately rooted in a misguided start. “The script called her the ‘ultimate villain,’ so I tried to portray various shades of that, including the pain behind her actions.”
The actress also touched on the broader struggles within the entertainment industry, noting, “Right now, times are tough for everyone, and actors are no exception. That’s why I’m incredibly grateful to have been cast in such a great drama. At my age, it’s easy to become complacent, but this role is a real challenge for me. It requires a lot of energy and lines to memorize. Just having the spirit to take on a new challenge at this point in my life feels like a blessing. I’m truly happy for this opportunity.”
First Man premieres on MBC at 7:05 PM on December 15.
Sources: Daum