Son Dam-bi finds new voice on the big screen: The singer brings signature style to ‘Too Hot to Die’ role

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Son Dam-bi finds new voice on the big screen: The singer brings signature style to ‘Too Hot to Die’ role

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[ILGAN SPORTS]

In 2008, singer Son Dam-bi’s “Crazy” caught the nation’s attention with its catchy hook and its signature chair dance, shooting the singer to K-pop diva status. She began trying her hand at acting in 2009 with small roles in television dramas, and this year, she landed herself a main role in the movie “Too Hot to Die,” a film that hit local theaters today.

“Since it’s my first time being a lead, I’m nervous about what people are going to say about my acting,” said Son in an interview with Ilgan Sports, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily.

“It was different watching myself on the big screen. I could see everything in so much detail, like how my lips were moving. At first those kind of things felt strange. But I realized that being able to see everything in one scene, which you can’t with dramas, is more fun once you get used to it. I’d like to keep acting in movies if I get the chance.”

In the comedy, Son plays a beautiful woman who wants to let everything go and leave her sad life behind. Her character comes across three men who feel just as desperate and desolate as she does online, and they decide to “go” together on the same day.

But things start to go wrong when Son joins the three men, played by actors Kim In-kwon, Jeong Sang-hun and Kim Sung-cheol, who may have been ready to leave their lives behind, but not so much once a beautiful woman walks into the same room.

Son has long been known for being sexy, but this was a different experience for her. Being sexy on stage was simple for the singer to do while singing and dancing, but she never had to act out a whole scene with dialogue and jokes while maintaining a sexy personality. “I’ve never acted out a character who is upfront about her sex appeal. But in the end, I chose to do it, because I knew that I could pull it off.”

Celebrating her success with her were her friends, among them veteran actor Jung Ryeo-won, who gave Son some frank feedback. “She told me that I got across a side of myself from my everyday life, which she complimented,” said Son.

“She also gave me advice about what I could have done better. She said, ‘Your pronunciation was a little off with some parts.’ She gave me a very detailed and objective assessment. She told me exactly where and how many times I went wrong,” laughed Son.

As much as she has her singing career to thank for her fame, Son’s not quite ready to go back to the stage, although that’s where she’d like to return in a few years.

“Because I’ve worked as a singer for a long time, I know that it’s hard to erase that image from people’s minds. But I do hope that people try to see me just the way I am.”

“I’ve officially said that I’m not a singer anymore but an actor, because I wanted to focus on acting. But for me, the ultimate goal is to act and sing,” added Son.

Son made her debut in 2007 and stormed the music charts with songs like “Crazy,” “Saturday Night” (2009) and “Queen” (2010), so it’s no wonder that people are more familiar with her as a singer rather than an actor.

To live up to her own dreams, however, Son is working on some music on the side, and hopes that people will be able to see her sing again as early as next year. She hasn’t decided on just what the song she will release is yet, but her mind is always focused on it.

Now that it’s been more than 10 years since her debut, Son’s got enough experience to pace herself through her work and life.

“To be honest, the hardest times were when I was at the height of my career, and when I was the most popular,” said Son.

“I wish I had looked after myself a little more. But back then, I really didn’t have the time to do so.” According to Son, her heyday may have put her on the top of the charts, but her heart sank deep into an abyss, even causing her to struggle with depression.

“Now that I’m in my 30s, I’ve found the time to take a step back, take care of myself and look after my thoughts,” said Son.

“I’ve come to find my own self. And I gave myself a pat on the back for really pushing it forward in the past. My stress levels are definitely lower these days.”

BY CHO YEON-GYEONG [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]




'배반의장미' 손담비 ”첫주연 연기평 궁금해…심장 터지는줄”

손담비가 스크린 첫 주연으로 나선 소감을 전했다.
영화 '배반의 장미(박진영 감독)' 개봉을 앞두고 있는 손담비는 15일 서울 삼청동의 한 카페에서 진행된 인터뷰에서 "시사회 때 처음 봤는데 아무래도 내 위주로 보게 되더라. 첫 주연이다 보니까 연기력 부분에서 어떻게 평가 받을지 제일 궁금하다"고 운을 뗐다.

손담비는 "무엇보다 같이 연기한 오빠들이 하도 '욕 잘한다'는 이야기를 많이 해서 그 신들이 어떻게 나올지도 궁금했다"며 "걱정했던 것에 비해서는 다행히 잘 나온 것 같다. 솔직히 엄청 떨면서 봤다. 선배님들이 워낙 잘 받쳐 주셔서 그런지 만족스럽게 나온 것 같다"고 전했다.

'배반의 장미'를 통해 영화로는 첫 주연 신고식을 치르게 된 손담비는 "'탐정2'에서는 잠깐 카메오처럼 나왔는데 주연은 처음이다 보니까, 또 드라마와 다르게 영화는 큰 화면에서 보다 보니까 입모양 등 모든 것이 더 너무 자세하게 보이더라"고 토로했다.

이어 "그런 것들이 처음에는 당황스러웠는데, 계속 보다 보니까 매력적으로 다가오더라. 큰 스크린에서 모든 것을 한 눈에 볼 수 있다는 점에서 매력을 느꼈다. 영화가 만약 계속 들어 온다면 도전하고 싶은 마음이 있다"고 진심을 표했다.

이와 함께 손담비는 "처음부터 등장하는 것이 아니라 중간에 등장하다 보니까 언제 나올지는 아는데도 심장이 터질 것 같더라. 보는 내내 긴장했다. 나오니까 차라리 속이 편해 지더라"며 "나오기 전까지는 두근거림을 감출 수 없었다. 심장이 너무 떨려서 손에 땀이 날 정도였다"고 덧붙였다.

'배반의 장미'는 슬픈 인생사를 뒤로하고 떠날 결심을 했지만 아직 하고픈 것도, 미련도 많은 세 남자와 한 여자의 아주 특별한 하루를 그린 작품이다. 18일 개봉한다.

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