Apink singer returns to acting: Son Na-eun makes her big-screen debut in horror film ‘The Wrath’
[SMILE ENT]
The remake of the 1986 film revolves around Ok-bun, played by Son, who steps into a mysterious mansion where a series of unknown deaths have been occurring in the Joseon (1392-1910) era. After Ok-bun learns the rules of the house from Mistress Shin (Seo Young-hee), the young maiden learns the secrets of the mansion and must protect herself from the dangers that lurk inside.
“I filmed the movie as actor Son Na-eun, not singer Son Na-eun,” said Son. “I tried not to think about people’s reactions, but honestly it’s really hard not to care. I felt like I was representing the members [of Apink], and so I had to do well.”
In an interview with Ilgan Sports, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily, Son shared her thoughts and hopes for her new career. The following are edited excerpts.
Q. This is your first lead role in a movie. How did it feel when you landed the role?
A. The idea of being the lead felt a little burdensome. I’ve never played a lead character before, even for a drama. It was hard to be the lead for a whole movie from the beginning to the end. I’ve always watched more experienced actors do it. So I talked to the director and planned everything out. But it turned out to be more difficult to act when I was thinking everything through.
How do you feel now?
I’m so nervous that I can’t even sleep. I’m so worried, since it’s my first film and I don’t know how it’s going to look to the audience. It feels so much more tense than having an album out. I’ve been in a movie before, but that was when I was much younger and I had no idea what was going on. I can’t quite remember what it felt like. But now that I know what’s going on, it feels so much scarier.
Because it’s a horror movie, you were required to wear special effects makeup for the gory scenes. What was that like?
As a singer, I only get to do pretty things, and I wanted to let go of that - at least while I’m acting. So it was a big step for me, and I needed some courage, but I wasn’t worried. I actually wanted to wear the special effects makeup more than the normal makeup. In fact, I wore almost no makeup [throughout the movie]. I even hoped that people would watch the movie and say, “That’s Son Na-eun?”
What have the other members of Apink said about it?
We were preparing for a concert while I was shooting the movie. So I really didn’t get much time to talk to them. I would [finish shooting and] then meet up with them to practice [for the concert]. It really helped me a lot to chat and laugh with them in between.
Another member from Apink, Jeong Eun-ji, is also shooting a horror movie, named “0.0MHz.” Do you know how that’s going?
I’ve heard that they’ve finished shooting. The movie’s actually from the same production company, and so we talked a lot about our movies. But the genre is so different, and her movie is set in the summer while mine’s in the winter. We’ve both been through our share of tough times, her and I.
Do you think singing and acting are different?
I’ve learned that they are two very different things. They look very similar, but are actually very different.
For me, I’ve been singing for quite some time now. I enjoy the things I do as a singer because I’m so used to it and I can rely on the other members. But for acting, it feels like I’ve gone back to the beginning. It’s a chance for me to learn.
How did you first start acting?
I started off as a singing trainee [at my agency], then I was suddenly put on the acting team. It wasn’t my choice, but a call made by the agency. Later, I was added to Apink. I was starting to think that I’d like to be an actor when I was suddenly told to be a singer. It was confusing.
When I was given the chance to have a go at acting, I just went into it without knowing much. I started to have fun. I felt the urge to do something that I hadn’t had the chance to do, something that I hadn’t done well. I think that urge is what got me started.
Do you have any role models?
People like Suzy and Im Si-wan have transitioned well from singers to actors. They paved the way, and I’m following that path. They are doing so well, even as well as people who started off as actors. For me, I think I’ve really started my life as an actor with “The Wrath.” I’ve got a long way to go compared to them, and I want to learn from them. I’m amazed at how much they worked to get to where they are now, and at the same time, hope that I can do so, too.
Are there other things you’d like to try as well?
I’d like to try a romance flick. But I’m worried about whether I can actually pull it off. It looks so adorable to watch those kinds of romantic scenes on television, but would I actually be able to get [the emotions] across when the time comes? I think I could try, but I’m worried. I think I would have to start with being in love first to express love. But if the chance comes, I’d like to try.
BY PARK JUNG-SUN [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]
'여곡성' 손나은 ”첫 주연 부담감 컸다..신곡 발표보다 떨려”
영화 '여곡성(유영선 감독)'을 통해 배우로 변신한 에이핑크 손나은이 첫 주연으로서의 부담감을 전했다.
손나은은 5일 오전 서울 팔판동 한 카페에서 진행된 '여곡성' 관련 인터뷰에서 "주연이라는 부담감도 컸다. 드라마에서도 주연을 해본 적은 없다. 하나의 극을 처음부터 끝까지 이끌어간다는 부담이 컸다"고 말했다.
이어 "선배님들이 하는 것을 항상 보기만 했는데, 혼자 이끌어간 적은 없기 때문에 그것에 대한 고민도 있었다"며 "그래서 감독님과 이야기를 많이 나누고 혼자 계획을 많이 세웠다. 그런데 계산해서 계획적으로 연기하면 더 힘든 것 같다"고 설명했다.
또 손나은은 개봉을 앞둔 심경을 묻자 "긴장돼서 잠을 잘 못 자고 있다. 아무래도 처음이다보니 어떻게 보여질지도 걱정된다. 앨범 내는 것보다 더 떨린다"고 답했다.
"과거에 영화를 한 편 하긴 했는데 너무 어려서 아무것도 모르는 상태에서 찍었다. 뭐가 뭔지 모르고 시키는대로 했다. 그래서 기억이 잘 안 난다"는 손나은은 "지금은 너무 잘 알 것 같아서 더 무서운 것도 있다"고 털어놨다.
이어 "가수 손나은이 아닌 배우 손나은으로서 영화를 보여드리는 것이다. 반응에 솔직히 신경 안 쓰려고 하는데 어쩔 수 없이 신경이 쓰이더라. 멤버들의 대표로 보여드리는 것이니 잘 해야겠다는 생각이 든다"고 덧붙였다.
'여곡성'은 원인 모를 기이한 죽음이 이어지는 한 저택에 우연히 발을 들이게 된 옥분(손나은)과 비밀을 간직한 신씨 부인(서영희)이 집안의 상상할 수 없는 서늘한 진실과 마주하는 이야기를 그린다. 동명의 1986년작을 리메이크한 작품. 서영희, 손나은, 이태리, 박민지 등이 출연하며 '마녀(2013)'의 유영선 감독이 메가폰을 잡았다.
손나은은 극중 옥분 역을 맡았다. 스크린에서 첫 주연작으로 공포 영화를 선택하며 주목받고 있다.
'여곡성'은 오는 8일 개봉한다.
박정선 기자
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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