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Jun Ji-hyun talks mermaid role, chemistry with Lee Min-ho
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Jun Ji-hyun (left) and Lee Min-ho are set to costar in the upcoming The Legend of the Blue Sea. Jun acknowledged that it took time for them to get used to each other during filming. (Bhc, MYM Entertainment via The Korea Herald/-)
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ctress Jun Ji-hyun will return to the small screen as Shim Chung, a mermaid living in a modern world, in the South Korean SBS network’s latest drama The Legend of the Blue Sea.
Shim Chung is described as a mermaid originating from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) who travels to modern Seoul to look for her lover Heo Joon-jae (Lee Min-ho). Her character and the story are said to take inspiration from a Joseon tale about a mayor who was saved by a mermaid.
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“Rather than worried, I was really happy when I first heard that I would be playing a mermaid,” Jun said in a recent interview as quoted by Antara news agency. “I think this role is not something that you frequently find in films or dramas. I'm very eager to show many different things [by portraying the character]."
The Legend of the Blue Sea will be Jun’s first television drama since the 2013 megahit My Love from the Star, where she played the lead role of Chun Song-yi and gained recognition in Korea and from Korean drama lovers worldwide.
The actress said she decided to participate in The Legend of the Blue Sea because it was written by Park Ji-eun, who also wrote My Love from the Star.
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However, she emphasized that Shim Chung would be different to Chun Song-yi. “Everything will be mysterious and new [for Shim Chung]. I think we'll be able to entertain the audience through her expression and acceptance [of reality]."
Jun added that although filming the series was fun, she would not want to play a mermaid again. “I like swimming and I'm quite athletic, but being in the water and acting as a mermaid really pushes my physical and other limits,” Jun said while laughing, citing that she had promised herself she would not play characters involved with water or fire.
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Aside from her role, Jun also talked about her costar Lee. She acknowledged that it took time for them to get used to each other.
Lee, who was also present at the event, said he felt intimidated by Jun at first, although they managed to get comfortable with each other in the end.
“After we got comfortable, our reactions toward each other got better and our chemistry became smoother, so I hope this will have a good result,” said the star of Boys Over Flowers and The Heirs.
The Legend of the Blue Sea is slated to premiere on Wednesday. (mas/kes)
