Editor's Note:
A "scene-stealer" is a term used in various media to describe a character or actor who, regardless of their screen time, naturally captures the audience's attention with their strong personality and charm, often overshadowing the main roles. The term literally means to steal the scene. In this context, K-Vibe presents a relay interview series featuring actors who started with theater and expanded their acting range into drama and film, becoming scene-stealers. The series will be updated biweekly and will serve as an archive of scene-stealer actors with a background in Korean theater, providing valuable resources for casting directors worldwide.
 |
| ▲ This image of actress Hwang Jung-min is provided by Ato9 Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Nov. 22 (Yonhap) -- “At one point, I considered using a stage name or even changing my name altogether. Growing up, I wanted a prettier name instead of something neutral like ‘Jung-min,’” actress Hwang Jung-min (55) confessed in a recent interview with Yonhap News.
Today, however, she says she embraces her name wholeheartedly. “I like my name now and plan to stick to being the ‘female Hwang Jung-min,’” she said, flashing her trademark eye smile.
Despite sharing her name with prominent actor Hwang Jung-min (54), who also attended the same school a year ahead of her, the actress humbly remarked, “Since he’s such a big star, I’m grateful for the title ‘female Hwang Jung-min.’”
In the world of theater, however, her reputation as "actress Hwang Jung-min" is strong enough to rival her male counterpart. A veteran of the stage, she gained recognition as a lead actor with the Mokhwa Repertory Company. Her stellar performance in Man’s Impulse (1998) earned her the Best New Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Dong-A Theatre Awards. Two years later, her role in Chunpung’s Wife brought her the Best Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
 |
| ▲ This still image of TV series "Through the Darkness," provided by SBS, shows actress Hwang Jung-min. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Her film debut came with the cult hit Save the Green Planet! (2003), where director Jang Joon-hwan crafted the circus acrobat character “Soon-i” specifically with her in mind. The role won her the Best Actress award at the 2004 Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival.
More recently, she has captivated audiences in popular K-dramas such as D.P. 2, where she played the mother of a troubled soldier, and Moving, where she portrayed a butcher shop owner. These performances have established her as a versatile supporting actress across mediums.
Known for her ability to inhabit vastly different characters—from innocent and introverted to eerie and grotesque—Hwang admits that acting, particularly on screen, still poses challenges. “I had a hard time adjusting to shooting scenes out of sequence,” she said, adding that being in front of the camera often leaves her feeling tense and uncomfortable.
 |
| ▲ This image of actress Hwang Jung-min in play "The Elder Sisters" is provided by Project Island. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
She also considers her unmarried status and lack of firsthand life experiences, like raising a family, as potential handicaps. She cited Moving as particularly demanding, explaining that it required maintaining her character’s emotional depth while mastering the nuances of the Gyeongsang dialect.
To overcome such challenges, Hwang turns to meticulous preparation, often scouring YouTube for reference videos and immersing herself in the character’s world. For instance, during the filming of The Housemaid (2010), she learned to ride a bicycle for the first time to film a scene where her character rides a scooter.
Behind her brief yet impactful performances lies an intense dedication to rehearsal.
Hwang’s passion for acting was sparked during her high school years, while performing church plays. She pursued this passion despite four attempts to enter Seoul Institute of the Arts, having initially majored in Korean traditional dance at Seoul Traditional Arts High School.
Although her MBTI personality type is INFP (Mediator), indicating introversion, her dynamic, flavorful acting on stage has earned her the label of a “natural-born actor.”
Hwang continues to showcase her versatility with projects such as the independent film Peacock, the KBS drama Dog Sound, and the upcoming play Secrets of Flowers.
Having dedicated over 30 years to her craft since her debut in 1993, her ultimate goal is to be remembered as an actor “who acted well.” For Hwang Jung-min, the journey toward effortless mastery in her art remains a work in progress.
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
