[ENG TRANSL] Lee Seyoung - DAZED Korea Interview (2025)

April 2025 Issue

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

Perfect Sunset, Silent Healing

A quiet and pristine beach in Phuket with Lee Seyoung.

The calm that sinks in with the perfect sunset.

Q: In a previous Dazed interview, you said you liked the ocean and the sound of waves. How was your Thailand trip this time?

A: This was my first time in Phuket, Thailand. I was lucky to have such an amazing experience. The beach near the place I stayed was so clean and quiet. I was really amazed by how the waves stayed visible even from far away. Especially during sunset. It was truly breathtaking. It was my first time watching the sunset that closely. It felt like receiving a gift.

Q: Toward the end of today’s shoot, it looked like you were overwhelmed with emotion.

A: The final cut with the sunset in the background was really powerful. It reminded me once again how important endings are whether it’s a movie, drama, or photoshoot. With the sky glowing red behind me, it felt like a scene from a movie. As the camera came closer, I became more and more immersed in the moment. I almost cried without realizing it. I felt a deep connection with the photographer through the lens.

Q: It seems like you were able to clear your mind through this photoshoot.

A: I haven’t had a proper break lately. But this shoot felt like healing for me. I got to film in such a beautiful place and enjoy some rest at the same time.

Q: You had a very busy 2024. You filmed multiple projects and even learned Japanese. What was your most memorable moment of the year?

A: That’s right. I worked on several dramas back to back. For the drama What Comes After Love, I learned Japanese and delivered my lines in it. But the most memorable moment was the Dazed photoshoot in Hawaii. After the shoot, I took a personal trip and had time to deeply reflect on everything I experienced while filming the drama. It gave me confidence that I can pour passion into anything I do. I realized I’m still young and strong. (Laughs)

Q: Two interviews ago, you were filming What Comes After Love. During the last interview, you were filming Motel California. Now that Motel California has just ended, how do you feel? Do you feel relieved?

A: I still feel a strong lingering emotion. Up until recently, I didn’t have any regrets when a project ended, but this time, I was left with a lot of both regrets and attachment. In the drama, Ji Kanghee reconciled with the people around her, but as Lee Seyoung in real life, there are still unresolved emotions I haven’t been able to let go of. Watching the sunset in Thailand helped me process and sort out some of those feelings.

Q: Ji Kanghee had a lot of unique qualities. She was rough at times but at the same time, soft and vulnerable. What was your impression when you first met this character?

A: I share a lot of similarities with Kanghee, so I tried to put a part of myself into her for this project. Normally, when I act, I think from the viewer’s perspective. I try to make the character appear lovable and someone people can root for. I want to make them hard to hate. But with Kanghee, I wanted to show her exactly as she is, even the parts that might make her unlikable. To me, Kanghee seemed unstable, like she could fall apart if someone provokes her. As I worked to understand and express those emotions, I found myself empathizing with her.

Q: In the drama, the relationship between Ji Kanghee and Cheon Yeonsoo felt truly heartfelt. What was your relationship with actor Na Inwoo like?

A: At first, I had a bit of a bias. I thought he’d be very blunt and cold. But when I actually met him, he was the complete opposite. He was incredibly kind and considerate. Na Inwoo is calm and sharp when he acts, and I learned a lot from him while filming. Just like how Yeonsoo was everything to Kanghee in the drama, to me, Na Inwoo was my one and only ally and my comfort zone. I really relied on him a lot and I loved him a lot.

Q: How was it working with actor Choi Minsoo, who acted as your father?

A: I’ve always been a huge fan of Choi Minsoo sunbaenim. As soon as we met, I ran up to him and hugged him, calling out, “Dad!” He told me that early on in the shoot, he intentionally kept his distance from me to help bring out the strained relationship between Kanghee and Chunpil in the drama. But after that, he warmly took care of me. I still remember his thoughtfulness, and I’m so grateful for it.

Q: From Park Yeonwoo in The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract, to Choi Hong in What Comes After Love, and Ji Kanghee in Motel California. Each of these characters has a complex personality. Do you have a specific way of approaching such roles?

A: I believe every character is multi-dimensional. When I approach a role, I start by finding similarities I have with the character. Even if it’s something small, I begin there and gradually expand on it. As I keep finding and building on those similarities, I start to feel much closer to the character before I even realize it.

Q: The strong couple chemistry you have with your co-stars often stand out in your projects. Is that the result of effort, too?

A: When I act, I think of my co-star as the closest person to me. Someone I share everything with and grow alongside with. Thankfully, I think the actors I’ve worked with so far have also felt the same way. Because of that, I received a lot of energy from them, and our chemistry naturally came out.

Q: Or is it because you're naturally full of charm? It reminds me of the variety show Weekend Playlist, where you cheered up Jang Yoonjoo (actress)’s mood with a playful kiss.

A: I don’t act cutely with everyone! (Laughs) But I do it with people who are at least a year older than me. I often tell my parents I love them. Because if I don’t express it, they won’t know.

Q: Do you have any new interests these days?

A: Recently, I’ve had a few opportunities to style someone’s hair or do their makeup, and I realized I really enjoy helping others look good. I naturally started getting more interested in it, and now I’d like to learn it properly.

Q: These days, you get to do the kind of acting you’ve always dreamed of. Is there anything more you’re hoping for?

A: I’m always dreaming of new challenges. I want to try various experiences, because I believe you can only grow by doing things you haven’t done before. I want to keep exploring new things with an open mind, and I want to take on various challenges while learning to accept that I don’t have to be perfect. As a person, I want to enjoy the present moment and live a balanced life. But even so… the worries about work never really go away. (Laughs)

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