[INTERVIEW] Han Ji-eun shines across screens, stages

Han Ji-eun / Courtesy of Gram Entertainment

Han Ji-eun is an actor who seamlessly navigates television, streaming platforms and theater. After wrapping up roles in two dramas, tvN's "When the Stars Gossip" and Tving's "Study Group," she now focuses on the play "Anna X," based on the true story of Anna Sorokin, a fake heiress who uses social media and her charms to commit fraud.

By shifting across different mediums, Han continues to establish herself as a well-rounded performer.

In "Study Group," a webtoon-based drama telling the story of a vocational high school student who dreams of attending a four-year university but is entangled in school fights, Han plays Lee Han-kyung, a passionate temporary teacher, while in the space rom-com "When the Stars Gossip," she gives a strong performance as chaebol heiress Choi Go-eun, betrayed by her fiance Gong Ryong (Lee Min-ho).

"I was worried that viewers might be confused because the characters are so different, but I'm also grateful that they were released simultaneously. I was happy that it was a time when I could show many different sides of myself as an actress to many people," the 37-year-old actor said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in southern Seoul, Monday.

Despite its stellar cast and significant budget of 50 billion won, "When the Stars Gossip" struggled with low viewer ratings, staying mostly within the 1-2 percent range except for the first and second episodes, according to Nielsen Korea.

Han Ji-eun stars as chaebol heiress Choi Go-eun in a scene from tvN's "When the Stars Gossip." Courtesy of CJ ENM

Han cautiously opened up about the series' underwhelming reception.

"The drama might have felt unfamiliar to viewers who were expecting something more glamorous due to the vastness of space as the backdrop. Instead, the drama focuses on the small, yet essential aspects of human lives. There's actually some pretty deep, philosophical themes hiding in there," she said.

"It's not the kind of show where everything is spelled out for you. Everyone is at different points in their lives, so maybe later on, when things line up, they'll give it another shot and see it in a whole new light."

Regarding her role in "Study Group," Han revealed that she has no prior experience with school-themed drama and found the project refreshing.

"I took the part because the script really resonated with me and I felt I could nail portraying my character's strong side. If I've got a goal and a good reason to go for it, I'm just like her. I don't give up," she said.

Han Ji-eun portrays substitute teacher Lee Han-kyung in scenes from Tving's "Study Group." Couretesy of Tving

The comedic high school action drama, premiered in January, has topped Tving's paid subscriber contribution chart for four consecutive weeks, demonstrating its popularity until the very end.

In the drama, Hwang Min-hyun, formerly of K-pop boy band NU'EST and currently serving his mandatory military service, portrays Yoon Ga-min, a student who forms a study group to enter university at a vocational high school. With intense, well-executed action sequences, the series delivered a satisfying mix of high-energy storytelling and emotional depth.

"We filmed for six or seven months and even though Hwang was busy, I heard that he continued to practice at action school on his days off. I could feel how much affection he had for the project. That's why we (cast members) also tried to post a lot of pictures of the drama on his behalf while he was serving in the military," she shared.

Han, who has returned to the stage for the play "Anna X" after nearly 10 years, hopes to grow into a better actor by broadening her spectrum.

"I often turn to theater when I feel a thirst for something more, a sense of being stagnant in a familiar environment. I thought that theater would be a good choice if I were to break away and try something different ... It feels like I'm breaking out of my shell," she said.

"While experiencing new methods of approaching expression (through theater), I think about how I can bring that back to my media work and apply it to create even better acting. I'm in the middle of the run now, and I'm excited to see what my Anna will look like at the end. I'm also looking forward to seeing how this experience will change me in my next project."

"Anna X" runs through March 16 at LG Arts Center in southwestern Seoul.