Interview with Go Ara
2014-01-09 02:16 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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omonatheydidBlue, one of the authors of the Korean culture, movies, and drama blog Electric Ground, put together an awesome compilation of Go Ara's interviews from after Answer Me 1994 finished airing. She kindly translated them to share with fellow Go Ara and other AM1994 fans. As I am on a mission to spread the awesomeness that is GO ARA, I wanted to share this great compilation here as well. It's a great read that shows how hard working and committed she is to acting, as well as her drive to improve.
On her pre-Answer Me 1994 image…
Go Ara shared, “I didn’t realize that I had such a strong urban, princess-like image. Through Answer Me 1994, I learned that people had a huge preconception of me.” She continued, “I’m not a city princess. I am a country bumpkin. In fact, my personality is similar to Sung Na-jeong’s.” [Laughs] (via Newsen)
“Even when living in Jinju City in South Gyeongsang province, we lived in the outskirts of the city. And so I didn’t realize that I had such a [princess-like] image. I can’t even wear lace dresses normally. But before I knew it, whenever I went to filming, people looked upon me like I was a doll. Director-nim told me, ‘What people think of you is even beyond what you think. You must get a grip of reality.’ He asked me whether I would be able to do scenes where I eat a lot, fart, or have a deep love line. And yet, Director-nim already had an idea of who I really was. I had first met Director Shin Won Ho at the KBS building when I was working on the drama Sharp. As I was a rookie actress then, I went around to greet everyone. He told me that he remembered me from when I greeted him loudly inside the elevator.” (via Ilgan Sports)
On shedding her past image…
Before the airing of the drama, Director Shin Won Ho had remarked that he wanted to shed the solidly established image of Go Ara. Sung Na-jeong’s character was created by both the drama production and Go Ara. She shared, “Director Shin and I talked a lot. The production team is composed of very observant people. They picked up on the habits of each actor and incorporated them into the characters. I have a habit of tidying up things in front of me. That was expressed by Sung Na-jeong’s OCD-like tendencies. Also, because Director Shin didn’t want the real face of Go Ara to be seen in Sung Na-jeong, I even put on some weight.” (via Asia Today)
In response to the assessment that Go Ara was able to show an unexpected side of her through Answer Me 1994, she replied, “I have regrets that I could have ruined my image more and let myself go even further. Still, I think Director-nim and staff members did a great job in creating this character. I would like to take on fun, comical roles again in the future. The real me has an easy-going personality that loves eating blood sausage soup (sundaeguk) and doenjang stew, and I think I was able to finally show that side of myself [to viewers]. In the past, when I ate such foods at restaurants, I was cautious because of the eyes of others saying, ‘Isn’t that Go Ara?’ But now, people just naturally accept it and say, ‘There’s Na-jeong.’ Life became easier.” (via Ilgan Sports)
On gaining weight…
“Gaining weight was a mission given to me by Director Shin Won Ho. Even after I gained 4-5 kg, he wanted me to put on some more weight. I gained a total of 8 kg. I’m trying to lose them now.” (via Kukinews)
On cutting her hair…
The decision to cut her hair was Go Ara’s own. She said, “Everyone was surprised when I said I will cut my hair. As soon as I read the script, I pictured Sung Na-jeong to be tomboyish and playful. I asked the director whether I could cut my hair, and then proceeded to do so right away. I could have played Na-jeong with long hair, but I thought the short hair would suit Sung Na-jeong’s character better.
But what is interesting is that Na-jeong’s hairstyle changed based on what was in style at the time. In the late 90′s, she copied actress Im Eun Kyung’s hairstyle from the popular telecom ad. As Na-jeong fell in love, her hairstyle became calmer.” (via Kukinews)
Go Ara explained, “I heard that in the 1990s, people used to cut their hair with a razor blade and got a perm by wrapping the hair with foil, and so I tried the same. It wasn’t for the sake of change, but to better portray Na-jeong.” (via OBS News)
On becoming a fangirl…
Besides these physical changes, Go Ara made other efforts to truly become Sung Na-jeong.
“Frankly, because I made my debut when I was in school, I didn’t have a chance to become an ardent fan of anyone. And moreover, a basketball player at that! I looked up old articles and watched old video clips of the basketball matches from the past. Like Na-jeong’s room in the drama, my own room is also now full of photos of Sang Min oppa everywhere. Basketball player Lee Sang Min feels familiar to me that I too call him Sang Min oppa now. Honestly, I think the reason why Na-jeong likes Trash* is because she sees Trash in Sang Min oppa. Reversely, there’s a feel of Sang Min oppa in Trash as well.” (via Kukinews)
*Note: I think there may have been a typo in the original article, and what Go Ara really said (or meant to say) is this: “Honestly, I think the reason why Na-jeong likes Sang Min oppa is because she sees Trash in Sang Min oppa.” Or in other words, she subconsciously liked Lee Sang Min because he reminded her of Trash oppa.
On speaking a dialect…
Go Ara explained, “My mother is from Seoul and my father is from the Jeolla-do province. Although I was born in Jinju, I’ve also lived in Daejeon and Sacheon. And so my accent is a mixture of that from many places.” In order to get it right, “I practiced with my cousin who is from Busan. Once I refreshed my memory, I was able to speak it naturally. Also, I received a lot of help from Jung Woo oppa, who is from Busan, and some of the writers who were from Masan. But speaking a dialect is a funny thing. The tone is neither a ‘do’ or a ‘mi,’ but there is a “flat” sound to it… When you get the right tone, you can master speaking a dialect.” (via 10asia)
How familiar is Go Ara with speaking a dialect now? She now understands and can explain the minuscule difference in the dialects spoken in Busan, Masan, and Jinju. She explained, “Even though they’re all in Gyeongsang-do province, the dialect spoken in Busan, Masan, and Jinju is different from one another. Even when calling out ‘Na-jeong’, there is a difference in whether you place the accent in the front or in the end.” She proceeded to demonstrate it to the interviewer. (via Sports Kyunghyang)
On the popularity of Answer Me 1994
When did Go Ara realize the extent of the popularity of Answer Me 1994? When an interviewer commented that the favorable reviews started pouring in immediately after the airing of the first episode, Go Ara asked back, “Really? Honestly, I was very worried and didn’t know how popular Answer Me 1994 was at first.” She continued, ”We delved ourselves into shooting for the drama in the middle of summer. Since we were always filming, we didn’t have time to know the response on the internet or those around us. At first, I didn’t know the extent of the popularity.” She was surprised by the ratings that kept rising, as she initially didn’t expect the ratings to be this high. “I realized the popularity of Answer Me 1994 when people started giving the actors different nicknames. From ‘Nareki’ to ‘Cider’… and when Kim Sung Kyun started being called ‘Po-vly’ and ‘Fairy’, I felt the love from the viewers.” (via Newsen)
The year 2013 marked the 10th year anniversary of her acting debut.
Go Ara said, “Ten years just flew by. I approached every project with the attitude I did for Answer Me 1994, but this was the first time that I received this much love. I wish I can continue to do many projects and receive a lot of love in the future as well.”
She shared how receiving the love of the viewers gave her strength. “I was able to focus more because I was receiving the love of the viewers and was connecting to them. I learned what a huge difference it made to act while connecting with the viewers, especially when filming a crying scene. I had a lot of crying scenes in the latter episodes, and I was able to concentrate very well. Even though we stayed up all night to film and it was physically tiring, it wasn’t difficult to emote.” (via Sports Seoul)
On love and fate…
Go Ara was asked who Go Ara would have loved if she had to choose between Trash and Chilbong. She answered, ”Why are you doing this to me? I’m a married woman!” [Laughs] Even if it was me, I think I would have loved Trash. I don’t think I could have given thought to anyone, but Trash.”
Asked why, she explained, “From the beginning till the end, Trash was [Na-jeong's] first love and [her] last love. Even if it was me, I don’t think I could have considered another person or another love interest.” She continued, “I think I too would have loved Trash till the very end.” (via Newsen)
Go Ara admits that she has a fantasy about first love. “I am happy that Na-jeong’s first love was fulfilled. If Na-jeong’s first love had been Chilbong, I would have wished that [Na-jeong] got together with Chilbong.” (via MyDaily)
When asked why she placed so much importance in first love, Go Ara replied, “Wouldn’t it be special? I think I have to experience it myself to know.” [Laughs] I’ve experienced one-sided love, and it was melancholy and ardent. I talked a lot about this with Writer-nim. I must now experience first love. I want to. I want to date. I’m going to make an effort in order to.”
When the interviewer expressed interest in her melancholy one-sided love, Go Ara became flustered. “I just want to say that it remains a delicate part of my heart. I don’t wish to reveal it. It can cause harm to those around me.”
When it comes to love, Go Ara believes in fate. “Whether than thinking of the kind of person I want to meet, I think that there is somewhere out there to whom I will just feel a connection. You may call me a fatalist. I think there is someone out there to whom I will just immediately feel a special connection.” (via Sports Seoul)
On her favorite line from the drama…
In the final episode, Na-jeong gives Chilbong a hug and tells him, “Because of you, I will look back upon when I was 20 years old with fondness.” Go Ara explained that was her favorite line in the drama. “Just like that line, Answer Me 1994 will be a project that I did in my 20s that I will look back upon fondly. And so, that line remains in my heart.” (via Sports Seoul)
On the future of the Answer Me franchise…
When asked what she would like to see happen in the future for the Answer Me franchise, Go Ara shared that she wished to see it continue and not end. “I hope a sequel would achieve an even greater success than Answer Me 1994.” She further explained, “A heartwarming drama like Answer Me 1994 is rare. I wish Director Shin Won Ho and Writer Lee Woo Jung would continue to make future sequels to the Answer Meseries. If there is ever an Answer Me Part III, I will agree to make a cameo appearance at anytime!” (via Newsen)
On her injury…
Go Ara injured her leg right before they wrapped up filming for Answer Me 1994. While filming a scene in which Na-jeong runs to the hospital with Chilbong upon hearing the news of her dad’s injury, Go Ara injured her leg. The scene was edited out, but the injury continued to bother her until the end of the drama.
Go Ara explained that the injury was at the same area that she injured earlier while filming her moviePacemaker. She limped as she filmed for episodes 19, 20, and 21. “At first, it was just a sprain. But because it was left unattended, it led to a ligament tear. Ah, but it’s nothing serious. It is just ligament tear. I can just fix it with surgery. It’s not like I fractured my bones.” She continued, “I didn’t know my ligament would tear like this. I tried my best to not show it. [Laughs] But because I limped, it showed a little. But as I was working on so little sleep, I didn’t even feel any pain.” (via Ilgan Sports, MyDaily)
Go Ara plans to receive the surgery for her leg injury after the fan signing event on January 7th. She shared that she wishes to read books while hospitalized. “Repeating cycles of reading and sleeping was my wish for 2014, and so it looks like my wish will come true. Of course, I will also go through the synopses of offers I’ve received.” (via Kukinews, Asia Today)
On future plans…
Go Ara proved her acting potential through Answer Me 1994. But as expectations for her are high, she must feel a great sense of burden as well. Go Ara answered otherwise. ”There are so many things I have yet to try for me to feel burdened. I don’t think the word ‘burden’ is appropriate for me now since this is only the beginning. I think I should approach the coming years with the mentality that I am a 10th year rookie. I have not done any serious melo, action, sageuk, or thriller. There are so many things I haven’t tried yet. I’ve received many project offers since Answer Me 1994. And so I am very happy right now.” (via Asia Today)
Her final words…
“In 2014, I will watch and re-watch Answer Me 1994 hundreds of times. I hope viewers will never forget Answer Me 1994. It is my wish that it will remain in the memory of many people as a really great drama.” (via MyDaily)
Go Ara also shared about the kind of actress she wished to become. “I want to become an actor [the audience] can trust. I want to show others how I will keep improving and growing little by little.” (via 10asia)
Sources: Electric Ground, Newsen, Ilgan Sports, Asia Today, Kukinews, OBS News, 10asia, Sports Kyunghyang, Sports Seoul, MyDaily,
All translation credits to Blue from Electric Ground
There are more translated interview snippets if you go to the original post at Electric Ground, for example: On Najung's love story, on finding out the husband's identity, on her co-stars, on ad-libs, etc.
"Of course, I will also go through the synopses of offers I’ve received.” AHH!!! I can't wait to hear what her next project will be!!
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Date: 2014-01-09 09:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-01-09 11:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-01-09 09:21 pm (UTC)Some people criticized Na-jeong for going back and forth between Trash and Chilbong. Go Ara responded, “That’s unfair. Frankly, Na-jeong never wavered even once. Even the way she looked at Trash was different from the way she looked at Chibong. Na-jeong only loved Trash from the beginning.”
and this: “I was just faithful to the script. You see, Writer-nim told me at the beginning that Na-jeong only has eyes for Trash. And so, I looked at Trash differently from everyone else.” She continued, “I was surely looking only to Trash oppa, but the situation around me kept getting complicated because Chilbong oppa was really coming at me strong.” [Laughs] There were even debates regarding Na-jeong’s husband. Due to the strong demand by some fans who wanted Na-jeong to end up with Chilbong, there were talks about changing the husband [to Chilbong]. I was on pines and needles that the first love wouldn’t get fulfilled.”
that prove what the writers' plan rly was all along
as if it wasn't obvious already but w/eso now ppl can drop the ridic and groundless talk about the writers changing the ending to Najung/Trashno subject
Date: 2014-01-09 09:28 pm (UTC)but lol a part of me keeps on being childish and going 'but I've been her fan way before everyone else, I FINISHED HEADING TO THE GROUND BECAUSE OF HER, IF THAT IS NOT COMMITMENT AND BEING A TRUE FAN I'D WHAT IT IS!'.
oh and people should watch her happy together and running man episodes.
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Date: 2014-01-10 12:26 am (UTC)I loved her in Happy Together, especially when she was dancing to Neoreul Saranghae and everyone was fanboying.
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Date: 2014-01-10 12:33 am (UTC)i just love her personality, she's just so blunt, goofy and earnest, you can see she doesn't care about image.
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Date: 2014-01-09 10:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-01-09 11:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-01-10 12:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-01-10 12:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-01-10 06:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-01-10 10:49 am (UTC)