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| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-03-11 10:53:38
SEOUL, March 11 (Yonhap) -- "Many people live without finding the courage to leave difficult marriages, because they fear divorce will be seen as a failure. I wanted to give courage to those suffering in such situations, saying, 'It's okay to divorce. You won't die,'" said actress Lee Ji-ah, who recently transformed into divorce mediator Kim Sara in the JTBC drama 'Queen of Divorce.' The TV series has recently concluded its run.
In celebration of the drama's conclusion, Lee Ji-ah met with reporters at BH Entertainment in Gangnam, Seoul on the 8th. About her role as a mediator, she said the job was "impossible in real life, but precisely because of that, it felt even more impressive."
In the drama, Kim Sara doesn't hesitate to break into the homes of the clients' spouses and engage in confrontations to resolve the cases. She resorts to illegal activities, such as setting traps to catch the errant spouses.
Explaining her character, Lee Ji-ah said, "Kim Sara is not a lawyer but a 'resolutions agent.' She crosses legal boundaries to solve problems that lawyers can't."
"One could see 'Queen of Divorce' as not just a hero story. Kim Sara's bold and decisive actions without hesitation are impressive. That's why I was drawn to the role," she added.
Kim Sara, a former lawyer at a major law firm, becomes falsely accused by her husband and mother-in-law, landing her in jail overnight and leading to a divorce, separating her from her son. She also experiences the pain of her mother's sudden death while incarcerated.
Upon release, Kim Sara begins working as a divorce mediator at the suggestion of Son Jang-mi (played by Kim Sun-young). Jang-mi, who divorced her husband, a hospital director, with the help of the former lawyer Sara, sets up a divorce solution company to assist people in situations similar to hers.
The divorce solution company attracts clients with remarkable stories. One woman, whose famous news anchor husband commits sexual assault, decides to divorce him when the incident is brought to light. Another, a disabled man, decides to divorce his internet broadcast BJ wife after discovering she has been having inappropriate relationships with her sponsors, earning substantial sponsorships.
Kim Sara leaves no stone unturned in finding evidence to expose the wrongdoings of the spouses and instills courage in her clients for a fresh start.
It's said that Kim Sara's character somewhat reflects Lee Ji-ah's real personality. This is because the scriptwriter, Jung Hee-seon, had Lee Ji-ah in mind while writing 'Queen of Divorce.'
Lee Ji-ah remarked, "Once I make a decision, I don't look back, which is similar to Kim Sara. However, Sara's courage to charge forward with tremendous momentum is much stronger and more admirable than mine."
'Queen of Divorce' concludes with Kim Sara, the ex-husband and former CEO of a major law firm, Noh Yul-sung (played by Oh Min-suk), exposed for his corruption and crimes. Yul-sung is arrested for various offenses including kidnapping, murder, and bribery. Before being taken away by the prosecution, Sara appears on the scene and kicks him decisively.
Lee Ji-ah commented, "Even during 'The King's Affection,' I attended an action school, and I'm familiar with dramas featuring action scenes. However, in the scene where I kicked, a stunt double was used to achieve the height."
Thanks to the actors' performances, 'Queen of Divorce' achieved its highest ratings of 5.8% on its own on the 7th. Considering it was a Thursday drama scheduled just three months after the conclusion of 'This Love is Unavoidable' in October last year, it's a notable success.
Despite the success of 'Queen of Divorce,' Lee Ji-ah expressed her thirst for her next project. Still without a confirmed role, she reiterated her desire to portray bright and comedic characters.
"I have a craving for comedic characters, but I'm not receiving many proposals. I often receive offers for grand narratives or emotionally intense works," she disclosed.
Lee Ji-ah received praise for her roles as the scheming Shim Su-ryeon and the carefree and impudent Na Ae-gyo in the SBS drama series 'The Penthouse' (2020-2021). After that, she appeared frequently on variety shows, shedding the dark and heavy atmosphere. However, following the conclusion of 'Pandora: The End of Days' last year, she took on another complex and serious role in 'Queen of Divorce.'
"Many people seem to remember me for playing static characters. Perhaps the image from 'The Penthouse' was too strong. Now, I want to portray brighter roles. I'm not afraid of damaging my acting," she concluded.
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