Actor Nana has taken on her first historical drama since her debut, transforming into the character Hui-yeon in the Netflix series "Scandal".
Released on September 18, the Netflix series "Scandal" (directed by Jung Ji-woo, written by Lee Seung-young and Ahn Hye-song) tells the story of Lady Cho (played by Son Ye-jin), a woman with exceptional talents far beyond the confinement of Joseon-era women's roles, and Cho Won (played by Ji Chang-wook), the greatest romantic in Joseon, as they engage in a love wager, along with the story of Hui-yeon, a woman entangled in it.
Hui-yeon, played by Nana, is a young widow who lost her husband before even holding their wedding ceremony. In an era where she was not even permitted to live her own life for the sake of chastity and fidelity, she lives day by day with all resignation. Though she initially tried not to give her heart to Cho Won upon meeting him, she showed subtle signs of wavering as their encounters continued. She portrayed the inner conflict between the life she had guarded and her newly emerging emotions, hesitating and unable to readily hand over a reply letter she wrote to Cho Won.
In particular, critics noted that a high point was reached in the middle of the series when her line, "I want to live," vividly demonstrated her transformation as she yearned for her own life for the first time after previously giving up on it. Nana stepped through the progression starting from Hui-yeon's calm and feeble demeanor to gradually opening her heart and clearly revealing her desire for life.
However, apart from the plot, some criticisms arose pointing out that Nana's modern makeup, which felt ill-suited for a historical drama—particularly her overly emphasized lips—detracted from immersion.
In response, Nana spoke out directly through her fan community platform, Bubble. "If my lips made viewers feel uncomfortable, then it is my fault," she stated, adding, "I think my personal choice was a choice that did not fit well as an actor."
She continued, "Knowing that fans who love me would find it heartbreaking to see harsh criticisms directed at me makes me feel even more sorry. I will try harder so that we can hear good words together in the future," showing a attitude of humbly accepting the feedback.
Photo: Netflix
(SBS Star | Kang Kyung-youn)
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