“Good Partner” Jang Nara “If I aim for awards, life could become exhausting”
Jang Nara, who gave a powerful performance in SBS’s drama “Good Partner”, shared behind-the-scenes stories and her thoughts on her acting transformation during an interview held on Sep 23rd at Seoul Tourism Plaza in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
– “Good Partner” ended with great popularity.
▶ It did much better than I hoped for. I’m very grateful. I think “Good Partner” benefited from the high ratings of the previous project “Connection”. I was pleased to see the ratings exceed my expectations. When ratings are low, fewer people say “I enjoyed it”, but now, people tell me that more often. I’ve lived in the same apartment for a long time, and the elderly residents often mention it to me, so I can feel the response.
– Do you think viewers were more drawn to the provocative theme of affairs? How did you feel about starring in a drama with such a theme after getting married?
▶ I’ve played roles dealing with infidelity many times before, but not by choice. It seems viewers really connected with it. Marriage didn’t make a big difference. When acting, I don’t think about my personal life at all. I try to separate my personal feelings from the drama. I once had a very sad experience, and it totally disrupted my focus. That’s when I realized that separating my personal life from acting helps me perform better. Whether single or married, acting in dramas about infidelity still feels unpleasant. (laugh)
– You’ve dealt with infidelity themes before, so what drew you to this script?
▶ I enjoy watching shows like “Love and War”. I also like crime content. However, it’s not that I’m particularly interested in infidelity or divorce themes. For me, the reason to take on a project is simply because it’s “fun”. Personally, I have many shortcomings as an actor, and the roles that came my way when I was younger were limited. So, I always try to find something different to do, even within similar characters.
– What did you aim to showcase in “Good Partner”?
▶ I was going through a lot of internal struggles at the time. It wasn’t so much about wanting to showcase something specific, but I centered my character around Han Yuri. Nam Ji Hyun is so talented, and I thought, “If things don’t work out, I’ll just lean on her.” I shaped my character around her, thinking of how my character could grow, and perhaps even anger viewers at times.
– You’re being mentioned as a potential contender for acting awards.
▶ Not at all. It seems like a distant story to me. Winning an award is a great feeling, but I feel it’s too much. If I aim for awards, life could become exhausting. I let go of that desire long ago. I just want to live happily without hardship. My goal is to achieve good results here so I can take on the next project with a fresh mindset and show something different. I hope a good project comes along.
– How do you feel about being praised for showing a new side of yourself?
▶ From the beginning, I knew my speaking style might divide opinions. Whenever I make bold choices, there’s always a sense of worry. I wondered how people would perceive it. In the first episode, some viewers may have found it strange, but as the show progressed, they seemed to enjoy it more. That was really rewarding. I’m so grateful for the character Cha Eun Kyung. She’s so different from me, which made it even more enjoyable.
Source: Nate
