• Jang Nara Opens Up About Her Journey to Being a 'Good Partner': "I Felt Insignificant"

    Actress Jang Nara recently shared her honest thoughts in an interview with Cosmopolitan for their November issue. After wrapping up her successful drama Good Partner, she reflected on her journey and personal growth.

    In the interview, Jang Nara expressed her gratitude for playing Cha Eun-kyung, saying, "Meeting Cha Eun-kyung in Good Partner was a truly thankful and fortunate experience."

    She chose this project because she found the script really interesting. "I try to see the story from the audience's perspective before diving into my character. The script, written by a real divorce attorney, made each episode feel very real. I was especially drawn to the chemistry between Cha Eun-kyung and rookie lawyer Han Yu-ri, played by Nam Ji-hyun. I was happy to see a 'woman's' drama after a long time."

    She noted, "Dramas often focus heavily on romance or bromance, which can be disappointing. That’s why I was more attracted to this drama, and I’m thrilled with the positive outcome. I hope to see more unique stories like Dog's Story, which features an elderly man and his dog, so viewers can enjoy a wider variety of productions."

    Jang Nara also revealed her struggles before joining Good Partner. "I was feeling low on confidence before the shoot. I recognized my flaws, and it sometimes felt overwhelming. But meeting Nam Ji-hyun changed that. Her performance during the script reading helped me figure out how to portray my character, Cha Eun-kyung. I started with the question, 'How can I make Han Yu-ri want to quit every day because of Cha Eun-kyung?'"

    Reflecting on her past work, she shared, "My goal has always been to find scripts that let me show different sides of myself. People have often said I have a narrow acting range, but that made me want to adapt and show something new. Moving forward, I want to continue challenging myself."

    Looking ahead, Jang Nara mentioned, "I plan to take a break and prepare for my next project. If I get the chance, I would love to try thrillers, occult themes, or historical dramas. There’s still so much I haven’t done yet!"

    Jang Nara's ultimate goal as an actress is to "become happy." She reflected on her journey, saying, "Life has become a bit more relaxed, and I’ve learned to find happiness in my everyday life. In the past, I thought acting was the only way to express my value, but I realized I need to take care of myself, too. I’ve been working out to feel better."

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  • Lee Kyung Gyu secretly helped Hong Jin Kyung debut on TV and she didn’t even know for years

    Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

    On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

    Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

    Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

    Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

    She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

    She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

    Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

    Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

    He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

    He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

    Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

    That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

    He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

    Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

    Source: [1]