Lim Ji-yeon poses prior to an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Jan. 23. Courtesy of Artist Company
Lim performs as slave, noblewoman, lawyer in fusion epic drama
By Park Jin-hai
Lim Ji-yeon, heroine of JTBC’s recently ended weekend drama “The Tale of Lady Ok,” captivated modern audiences with her wide-ranging performance in its narrative of a lowly slave’s growth during the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty.
Having made a strong impression with her previous antagonist role in Netflix’s 2022 series “The Glory,” the 34-year-old actress landed her first title role in this drama.
“I was drawn to the character because she’s so complex. Even though Goo-deok is a slave, she’s not just a slave. She’s also a noblewoman and even ‘oejibu,’ a legal advocate for the people. I loved the idea of playing such a multifaceted character,” she said explaining her reason for choosing this project during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in eastern Seoul’s Seongdong District, Jan. 23.
The drama follows the story of Goo-deok (Lim), who escapes her abusive master’s house and is later adopted by the noble Ok family. However, when the family’s daughter, Ok Tae-young, dies, Goo-deok assumes her identity and her elevated status. After gaining noble status, she becomes a renowned lawyer and takes control of her own life, defying the traditional image of Joseon women.
“Despite being born into a lowly status, she overcomes her circumstances, accumulates wealth through sheer determination and possesses a sharp intellect. Even after becoming a noblewoman, she continues to fight for the wronged and displays unwavering strength. I was deeply inspired by these qualities and aspired to be more like her,” she said. “She is also warm-hearted, always ready to help others. I admire her ability to shape her own destiny. Goo-deok is the first character I’ve ever wanted to emulate and learn from.”
The drama showcases the protagonist’s rapid transformation from a slave to Ok Tae-young, a lawyer, as she resolves cases with satisfying swiftness in each episode. Viewers naturally found themselves rooting for her as they watched her character develop.
Lim Ji-yeon is seen in JTBC’s fusion period drama, “The Tale of Lady Ok” / Courtesy of JTBC
The actress stated confidently that this drama marks a significant milestone in her filmography. She added that this was the first time she had become so deeply immersed in a character to the point of feeling inseparable from them after the drama ended.
“I realized for the first time how much I could love a character I was playing. And more than anything, it was a project where I truly experienced the burden and pressure of responsibility for a work (as the leading actor). It brought me so much growth, so I think it’s made a big mark on my filmography,” she said.
However, when she was first offered the historical drama — Lim was in the middle of the immense popularity of “The Glory”— she was concerned whether the historical drama genre would suit her. “I thought a historical drama would require more technical acting skills, and I felt like I wouldn’t look good in hanbok. I was at a point where I wanted to do something I was good at and something I thought would be successful,” she said.
However, she said she realized her mistake after reading the script. “I realized that I always had been someone who enjoyed the challenge of acting, so why did I hesitate and try to avoid it out of fear that I couldn’t do it? I wanted to be brave and take on the challenge. And I wanted to show everyone that I could also fit well into a historical drama.”
She said that she and Goo-deok have a similarity in that they both seem like they would find things difficult, but she believes in the power of effort. “I’m not naturally talented, and I’m not an exceptionally gifted actress, but I believe that if I don’t give up and put in the effort, anything is possible. I think that’s one aspect of being an actor that I share with her,” Lim said.
After concluding “The Tale of Lady Ok,” she is set to join the fun on tvN’s reality show “Fresh Off the Sea” Season 2. She also has some other exciting projects lined up as an actress. Her next drama, “The Unfriendly Love” (literal translation) is a romantic comedy about journalists, featuring Lee Jung-jae.
After taking on many intense and dramatic roles, she expressed a desire for a change of pace. “I’ve been playing a lot of strong, impactful characters lately. But I’ve realized that I don’t always need to be the center of attention. I think it’s time for me to play a lighter, more ordinary character that we see in our everyday lives. I think it’s time for me to play a more ordinary and relatable character,” she said.
Lim said she wants to be an actor that people are excited to see what she will do next, rather than someone they automatically trust. “I enjoy the images I’ve created, but I want to keep challenging myself and growing as an actor. I want to be seen as a blank canvas, always ready to take on new roles and explore different possibilities,” she said.
