Kim Ji-yeon from ‘Pyramid Game’: ‘In the Entertainment Industry, Effort and Results Don’t Always Correlate’
In the eighth episode of “Normal People,” recently released on the YouTube channel “SBS Entertainment,” actress Kim Ji-yeon appeared and had a conversation with Shin Dong-mi and Son Tae-jin.
When asked about her profile, including the meaning of her name, Kim Ji-yeon explained, “The meaning of my name is ‘Ji’ for wisdom and ‘Yeon’ for beauty. People say it means ‘you know you’re pretty,’ but it actually means to be a wise and beautiful person. My MBTI is INTP, my blood type is A, and I am the youngest of one son and one daughter.”
Regarding how she debuted, Kim Ji-yeon shared, “I started as a trainee through auditions. I was in Daegu, so I came to Seoul for auditions and to become a trainee. Interestingly, I got scouted on the streets more often in Seoul. Initially, my mom opposed my desire to become a singer, thinking there was no future in it. But I wanted it so badly that she told me to give it a try once and if I failed, I had to give up. An audition was held in Daegu, and I passed, leading me to my current company.”
Kim Ji-yeon also discussed how she started acting. “The timing to start acting was perfect. My first project was ‘The Best Hit,’ where I played a trainee about to debut. I auditioned against rookie girl groups for the role. The character had long, straight black hair and looked cold and thin from dieting. At the time, I was preparing an album and matched the character’s image perfectly. I was fortunate to get my first role and then starred in ‘Girls’ Generation 1979′ the following year, a drama set in Daegu in the 1970s. There were no rookie actors who could speak the Daegu dialect, so I got the audition because I was from Daegu. The director valued the dialect, and that’s how I began my acting career.”
She added about her role in “Joseon Attorney,” her first historical drama. “I asked a lot of questions to Shin Dong-mi, the director, and the writer. I’m not someone who sets huge goals or future plans, but I want to do well in what’s given to me. I hate not being able to do something. I put in my best effort to avoid any regrets later.”
Kim Ji-yeon emphasized, “As an idol, you have to deliver maximum efficiency in the shortest time. If I had more time to prepare for ‘Joseon Attorney,’ I might have done better. At the time, I was busy with concerts and activities after winning ‘Queendom 2,’ and then the drama started. I’m a perfectionist, and I believe in doing my best. If it doesn’t work out despite my efforts, then so be it. In our profession, effort and results don’t always correlate. That’s why I focus on doing my best and accepting the outcome. It’s a way to protect myself emotionally.”
Reflecting on “Twenty-Five Twenty-One,” Kim Ji-yeon said, “I couldn’t debut at 21 and was active at 25. I achieved my dream by working with my favorite writer, actor, and director. Looking back, I think I did my best. I learned fencing diligently. Kim Tae-ri started lessons four months ahead of me, and I had to catch up quickly. I went through intense training, including physiotherapy. I practiced fencing every day for three months before filming and continued during breaks. My dance background helped me pick up skills quickly. Although Kim Tae-ri was excellent, I won when we competed,” she laughed.
She expressed a strong connection to her character in “Twenty-Five Twenty-One,” Ko Yu-rim, who chased her dreams, similar to her trainee days. On “Pyramid Game,” she said, “At first, I thought Seong Soo-ji didn’t suit me, but once filming started, it felt very comfortable. The character’s laid-back attitude and voice were easy for me.”
Lastly, Kim Ji-yeon talked about her desired roles and genres. “Ko Yu-rim was a strong character. Since then, I’ve been offered roles of resilient, intelligent, and upright characters. I want to try something different, like playing a psychopathic killer.”