[ENG TRANSL] Lee Seyoung - ARENA Korea Interview (2014)

Disclaimer: Article is roughly translated. It may contain inaccuracies. Please pardon any mistakes.

Oh! My Princess

I made eye contact with Lee Seyoung. When she greeted us, spoke, or even when she looked at the camera, she still glanced at us. And then, she smiled brightly.

Q: Isn’t it difficult to make sexy expressions?

A: I don’t know how to control my gaze. If I look uncomfortable, it shows on the screen too.

Q: For men, it’s simple. As long as they show lots of skin, it’s good.

A: Is it? That’s a quote-worthy statement. But isn’t it sexier when they’re in uniforms or when they have a neat appearance?

Q: And also, things like leggings that show the body shape.

A: I’ve actually heard from men that covering up is even sexier. They prefer covering up rather than being fully exposed.

Q: That could be true. But Lee Seyoung suits a pure, innocent girl image better.

A: Do men also like pure and innocent stuff?

Q: If you're pretty, everything is good. When I saw you during the photoshoot, you smiled a lot and ran around effortlessly. You seem full of energy.

A: Hmm… It feels like I’m on a date right now.

Q: Why?

A: Because we’re just talking. Reporters usually take notes or organize their thoughts while thinking about what to ask next.

Q: Because it is a date. Anyway, you’re 23 now, officially an adult. Do you feel pressured to show a more mature side?

A: I can take on a variety of roles even without showing a mature side. I also have no problem showing a sexy side. Honestly, I have no worries about it.

Q: Many child actors try hard to look more grown-up when they become adults.

A: I always think about changing my image and try not to be predictable. Last year, all the roles I played were different: a character who sees ghosts, a clumsy but innocent girl, a materialistic person, a transfer student with a twist. I even played a married woman twice. I constantly think about transforming my roles and look for projects that allow me to do that. I don’t feel pressured about how I should present myself. If you force an image change too much, it becomes obvious.

Q: It feels unnatural, right?

A: If you mature naturally, little by little, I don’t think there’s any need to feel pressured. I just focus on doing my best.

Q: You don’t seem to have any desire to be a star.

A: Not really. My older sister has always monitored my performances. She would tell me I worked hard, but never that I acted well. So, I always had the desire to be acknowledged by her.

Q: Is it a sister complex?

A: Not really. It’s just that people always said nice things to me because I was a kid. My sister was the only one who was brutally honest with me.

Q: Did you enjoy acting as a child? Or did you just continue because people kept praising you?

A: Once I reached an age where I became more self-aware, I started to care about it. I wondered if the director liked my acting and what people around me thought about it.

Q: Didn’t you worry about it during your teenage years? I’m talking about questions about your career or wanting to try something else?

A: I never thought about that. Acting is something I’ll naturally do for the rest of my life. It’s fun, and it’s something fascinating that I always want to keep doing. I’m just grateful that I even had the chance to start. But I also thought that I should keep studying, explore other jobs, and stay active.

Q: A job? What kind of work did you want to try?

A: I like teaching. When I was 20, I briefly tutored a high school senior couple in the Korean language section for their college entrance exam.

Q: You must have charged double for the tutoring fee.

A: That’s right. But I actually charged a bit less. Plus, they hired me because I had good grades. Haha. Later on, I also want to do volunteer work. I’d like to create a support organization that provides education suitable for children (or teenage) breadwinners. I’d also set up a system where a portion of the profits goes to donations. Of course, I’d have to keep putting in my own money, but it’s something I want to do.

Back in school, I once took an aptitude test.

Q: An MBTI test?

A: Yes. It said I was the Artistic and Social type. That I’m suited for careers like social worker and psychological counselor. It also said that I have a personality that enjoys volunteer work. When I was a kid, I even imagined building a factory for homeless people. It was pretty naive.

Q: Then you must be very interested in politics.

A: I do watch the news, but it’s really difficult to understand. I don’t always know what’s right. If I start leaning toward one side, my sister gives me the opposing perspective. I talk a lot with her about current affairs. But as an actor, I shouldn’t show any political bias.

Q: Why not?

A: The adults say so. And I listen to them well.

Q: Child actors get excessive attention at school. If put nicely, it’s interest. If put badly, it’s discrimination.

A: At the start of the school year, classmates, teachers, and even students from the next class come to see me and take pictures. Even if I’m not okay, I have to act like I am. If someone bumps into my shoulder, I have to smile. I’m fine with it, but what about my friends? I had to ask for their understanding.

Q: It must’ve been easier if you showed not-so-pretty sides of yourself.

A: That’s why I wore really old-fashioned half-rim glasses and parted my hair in the middle, tying it up. I didn’t look pretty.

Q: The friendships you made back then must have lasted a long time.

A: Yeah, we don’t talk often, but sometimes we just message each other like, "What are you doing? Let’s go out." Then we meet up, visit each other’s houses. Even if we haven’t seen each other in a long time, it feels like we just met yesterday… Wait, is that a bad thing?

Q: That just means you're close. Do you have many friends your age?

A: Not many, which is a bit disappointing. Most of my friends from high school are guys I met at cram school. Since they’re guys, they often ask me about female celebrities. Like telling me to pass a message to Park Soojin unnie, saying she’s their ideal type.

Q: Ah yes, Park Soojin is indeed pretty.

A: Hahaha. That’s exactly how my friends react. I like pretty women too. Maybe I got influenced by my guy friends. I tend to notice pretty women more than handsome men.

Q: Where do you usually hang out?

A: I often see my neighborhood friends in Isu. Since there’s a nearby middle school and high school, there are a lot of stationery stores, restaurants selling grilled intestines, cafés, ice cream shops, arcades, and karaoke rooms. It’s fun just watching the kids play at the arcades.

Q: It seems like you have a lot of guy friends.

A: I actually have more female friends, but when I’m going through a tough time, my guy friends surprisingly… (help me more).

Q: Are they helpful?

A: They may seem indifferent, but there’s a reassuring sense that they’re looking out for me in their own way. I never really talk to anyone about my worries. I solve them on my own. I think it’s the influence of my guy friends. Girls usually talk to others about their problems, but I always thought, "Why bother talking about it? Just use that time to fix it instead."

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