• Kwon Eunbi Debuts in Japanese Film: “I Want to Act in Korea Too, and the IZ*ONE Members Support Me”

    Kwon Eunbi is stepping into the acting world with her first film! On October 18, she shared her thoughts during an interview at Megabox Coex, just ahead of the release of her new movie, Just Dropped My Smartphone: Last Hacker, directed by Hideo Nakada.

    The film is part of the Just Dropped My Smartphone series, which is based on novels by Japanese author Akira Shiga. After doing really well in Japan, it was made into a Netflix film featuring stars Chun Woohee and Im Siwan in Korea. In the final installment, Kwon Eunbi plays Sumin, a mysterious character with black hair.

    During the interview, Kwon Eunbi said, “Honestly, I’m curious why I was chosen for this film. The company suggested I take on this role, and since I had seen the work before, I felt excited to be the lead in the last movie. I thought, ‘Is it okay for me to do this?’ but then I realized I wanted to challenge myself. I find joy in taking on new challenges, whether it's hosting a radio show or being a solo artist. Acting felt like the next step.”

    She added, “I’m not sure why the director picked me, but I think I fit the role of Sumin. He had a certain image in mind, but I believe it was based more on my public persona than my real self.”

    Talking about her first acting experience, Kwon Eunbi reflected, “I wanted to try acting, but I didn’t go in thinking, ‘I’m going to become an actress.’ I’ve always been curious about things like voice acting or acting itself.” She continued, “This role helped me focus on the character and myself. Performing on stage is about connecting with the audience, but acting felt like a new way to connect with my inner self.”

    Looking to the future, Kwon Eunbi expressed her desire to continue acting. She said, “I’ve only done one project so far, and I want to see how acting in Korea would feel. I believe the acting style and emotions will be different here, so if I get the chance, I definitely want to try more projects in Korea.”

    She mentioned wanting to explore different genres, saying, “Since I challenged myself with a thriller this time, I’d love to try a romantic comedy next. I want viewers to say, ‘I didn’t know Kwon Eunbi could do this’ or ‘This is so different from her stage persona.’ I hope they’ll feel I suited the role well.”

    Above all, Kwon Eunbi hopes the film is well-received. She expressed, “I want people to watch it and think, ‘So this is Kwon Eunbi’ and ‘She’s someone who works hard.’ After my experience in Japan, my dream is to have similar opportunities in Korea.”

    Kwon Eunbi also shared that her former IZ*ONE members have been very supportive. “I’ve asked my acting friends a lot of questions since I didn’t have much background in acting. Just like I helped them with dance, they’ve guided me through the basics. I’m really grateful for their support. My Japanese friends are happy for me, and (LE SSERAFIM's) Sakura even sent me a congratulatory message about this famous project. Today, my IZ*ONE members are coming to the premiere to cheer me on, which gives me great strength. I finally understand how my friends who act feel, and I’m really thankful for their support.”

    Just Dropped My Smartphone: Last Hacker will be released on November 1, and fans can’t wait to see Kwon Eunbi in action!

    Source [1]

  • Kang Ye Won Breaks Down in Tears, Says She’s ‘Destined to Never Marry’—Joins Dating Show for Her 83-Year-Old Father

    Actress Kang Ye Won got emotional as she opened up about why she took a break from broadcasting and why she’s finally giving love a chance.

    On the March 3 episode of tvN STORY’s Can I Love Now?, Kang Ye Won made her debut as a new participant looking for romance.

    During the broadcast, she revealed that negative online comments had deeply affected her. "I used to cry all the time reading comments. I get hurt easily. What might be a small wound for others feels like a huge blow to me," she shared, expressing the stress she faced from malicious remarks.

    She also admitted that at one point, she wanted to leave everything behind. "I kept thinking, ‘How long do I have to keep working this hard?’ and it became overwhelming."

    She added, "At one point, I thought, ‘I should just quit everything and move to the countryside,’ and that idea actually gave me peace," she confessed.

    When it came to dating, Kang Ye Won shared that she had always been content watching others fall in love.

    "It never worked out for me. I wasn’t the type to ask for introductions either. I just found comfort in living as an observer. Maybe it’s my fate. I’m fearful, and I lack courage. If I feel like someone might hurt me, I block them out from the start," she admitted.

    However, the actress revealed that she ultimately joined Can I Love Now? for her father. "My dad was born in 1943. He had me late in life, and his health isn’t great."

    She added, "I realized that if I continue living alone like this, I won’t be able to give my parents any hope until the moment they pass away," she said with tears in her eyes. "My perspective on life has changed. I no longer think just about myself, but about my parents."

    Kang Ye Won’s heartfelt confession touched many viewers, leaving fans rooting for her to find happiness.

    Source: [1]