'Putting in Kim Bujang' wasn’t the casting… Yoo Ji-an, whose debut work took off, and her acting gets a passing grade [TEN People]
Yoo Ji-an, who earned a passing grade for her acting in her debut work. / Photo courtesy of SBSActor Yoo Ji-an is making a strong impression on the small screen with a powerful villain character from her very first work. Through SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Kim Bu-jang,' which surpassed a 20% viewership rating in just four episodes and is recording syndrome-level box office success. She succeeded in directly overcoming the 'production company favoritism' suspicions that might have been raised in some quarters, relying solely on her own acting ability.
In 'Kim Bu-jang,' Yoo Ji-an plays Joo Hye-ri, the daughter of the main villain Joo Sang-wook (chairman of Joohak Construction) and a school bully who wields enormous power within the school, driving the tension of the series. This work is Yoo Ji-an's acting debut. Despite being a newcomer with no prior acting experience, she drew attention by steadily portraying the villain character who sparks the major early narrative by putting the protagonist Kim Bu-jang (played by So Ji-sub)'s daughter in danger.
Yoo Ji-an is receiving praise for her villain performance in 'Kim Bu-jang.' / Photo courtesy of FantagioAt the time of casting, concern and expectation coexisted within and outside the industry. That is because Fantagio, Yoo Ji-an's agency, is a co-producer of 'Kim Bu-jang.' Since a rookie actor with no acting credits landed a significant role in an instant simply because she is an artist under the production company, there was a risk of inviting controversy or misunderstanding over preferential treatment, such as 'production company favoritism.'
However, Yoo Ji-an dispelled such concerns with her acting as soon as the first episode aired. On screen, Yoo Ji-an realistically portrayed the arrogant, domineering side of Joo Hye-ri without any awkwardness typical of a newcomer. In particular, she delicately expressed the emotional changes, from brazenly claiming to be the victim while pressuring Kim Min-ji early in the drama, to becoming extremely anxious after the other person lost consciousness following a physical struggle in an empty lot late at night. Her cold stare that did not discriminate between targets and her bold speech and behavior proved her ability as a 'prepared rising star.'
The reason Yoo Ji-an's villain performance could heighten the immersion of the drama also includes synergy with the opposing actor who formed a tense rivalry. Seo Soo-min, who plays Kim Min-ji, the daughter of So Ji-sub's character and Joo Hye-ri's opposite in the story, is also making her debut with this work. As the two 'rookie actors' took on the core early narrative roles of school violence perpetrator and victim, and showcased flawless acting and solid back-and-forth chemistry, they are being credited with playing a major role in driving the drama's explosive rise in ratings.
SNS photos offering a glimpse into Yoo Ji-an's daily life. / Photo = Yoo Ji-an SNSCompared with the intense attention pouring in both inside and outside the work, it is also interesting that very little is known about Yoo Ji-an as an individual. Currently, major portal sites list only her agency and Instagram account on her profile, with no specific information such as age, education, or hometown. Her personal Instagram is also completely shrouded in mystery, with only nine posts and a following list that contains just one account: her agency's official account. This unintentionally created 'mysterious' image, combined with the raw acting she has shown, is becoming an appealing point that presents her to the public as an unprocessed, fresh rough diamond itself.
In the end, Yoo Ji-an's casting has proven to be the agency's keen eye rather than favoritism. Since her debut work has already seen the good fortune of surpassing a 20% viewership rating, she has firmly earned a place in Fantagio's next-generation lineup alongside respected seniors such as Cha Eun-woo and Kim Seon-ho as one of the same family. Yoo Ji-an, who erased the risk that might have become a permanent label from the start through skill and received a passing grade, is now being watched closely for what kind of actress she will grow into in the future.
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