Sign In
Register
Help
Sandara Park talks about her first TV role in Korea
Former teen star Sandara Park happily shared some good news about her acting career in South Korea with ABS-CBN.com. Ever since she spent a few days in Manila last August 2008 for a vacation and an appearance on ASAP ’08, Kapamilyas have been waiting for Sandara to appear in Koreanovelas. After a year of training and hard work, Sandara has landed a cameo role in the Korean historical drama, The Return of Iljime.
“I’m not sure when exactly I auditioned but I think it was late 2007. It was so long, isn't it? I met Director Hwang (director of hit Korean drama Princess Hours) and his staff to introduce and say hi. It was not really an audition, it's just like a normal meeting, so we talked about my experiences in the Philippines,” Sandara related on how she landed the role. “Actually, I did nothing special hehe! Coz our intention in going there wasn't for audition. So we just really talked, we talked quite for a long time.. For almost an hour and I showed them my scrapbook of all my projects I have done in the Philippines, movie posters, screen caps, commercials…”
The lead character of the drama, Iljime, is a revered hero of Korea and will be played by young actor Jung Il Woo. According to Sandara, this is the actor’s first serious role that’s why Iljime is a highly anticipated drama in Korea, which is another reason why she is glad to have made it on the show. Sandara said that she finds her role on the show kind of ironic for she plays someone Japanese. “Rie is the name of my role.. Interesting coz Rie is a Japanese. I'm already in Korea yet my role is a Japanese. Hahaha! Rie, is a ninja who will meet Iljimae, he will teach martial arts to the ninjas and Rie will fall in love with her.. But will they become lovers? Well you better watch out for it! Haha!,” Sandara said, adding a joke about her former TV show on ABS-CBN.
Sandara shared her experience taping for her first drama in Korea. “It is my first project in Korea after the ‘I’m Sorry’ music video. Its different from the music video I did because this is real acting, This is a drama so I was really nervous and at the same time very excited. We had our taping in Tsushima Island, Japan which is near in Korea.. I was worried with a lot of things but the taping was fun.. No problems, the director is nice, the staff and they like methat's why it was really comfortable and fun for me to work with them.” She also became friends with the stars of the show, especially Il Woo. “I have a good working relationship with Il Woo. He's also very nice and fun to be with so our taping was really fun. I hope I can work with him again..”
She also said that she really missed working in front of the camera and this made the experience more special. “After more than one year, i'm back in the set. Even if its here in Korea, the system is just the same so many of them were surprised that I was able to adjust. Of course, I'm a krung-krung [a Filipino word which means crazy and silly] I'm used to tapings! Hehehe! We taped for just a week, so it feels like I want more but then we're already done.” She added that doing tapings in the Philippines and in Korea are very much alike that’s why she had no problem following the director’s instructions. “I think 99% is similar in doing tapings here in Korea and in the Philippines, the things that they use. For example, the marker that is being used for us to know where to stand, I know about it. I prefer myself as the marker that time, that's why they were surprised to see that I know things like that. Almost everything is just the same. We read the script with our director and he will tell us what to do, rehearsal, and then shoot.”
But what makes the taping different for Sandara is the feeling that she’s starting again from scratch, far from the days when people were screaming her name during the first Star Circle Quest search. “Its also different for me because when I was in the Philippines, I do the lead roles most of the time but right now I'm starting again. No one here in Korea knows me and my role is just small although there's no small role as an actor but its definitely different for me. Its like starting from a scratch again. I’m so happy to feel this excitement again after how many years. And I also learned that its not that important if you're the lead or not. All the roles in the drama are important. But the sad thing is no one in the set is asking for my autograph! Hahaha!” Sandara said with her usual humor.
Even though YG Entertainment’s career plans for Sandara are yet to be revealed, the young actress is very optimistic about her career in 2009 and hopes her fans will stick it out with her. “I’m also very excited about my future! As an actress? As a singer? Or both maybe?I can't tell you right now but since I’m working hard everyday to improve myself, I’m sure you will see a lot from me. Let's just wait.” And with that she left a special message to all her friends, who are eagerly waiting for her future projects. “I miss you all so much! Do you still remember me? I have some good news for you, you will see me again on TV! A Koreanovela. This is just my start so its just my "special participation". its a unique role and you’ll see me acting again. I’m sure you're pretty excited too. I hope I'll be able to visit the Philippines again and see you all. Let's just wait for my another new dream to come true. Thanks for all your support.”
The Return of Iljime started airing in Korea last January 21 on MBC and Sandara’s character will appear in the February 11 episode.
translation by shamshpgirl
SOURCE: ABS-CBN
MultiQuote
