[TF Interview] Jang Gyu-ri of '4-HIM', a process of steady growth
Jang Gyu-ri, who plays Jae-in, brings vitality... delicate control of tempo from teens to twentiesNext project is occult film 'Perfect House', to be released within the yearActress Jang Gyu-ri met with
and held a wrap-up interview for the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Four Hands', which ended on the 4th. / Namoo Actors[THE FACT|Reporter Kim Saet-byul] Actress Jang Gyu-ri has grown once again. In 'Four Hands', she portrayed Jae-in, who spans her teens and twenties, expressing her bright and lovely side as well as a more mature manager. The experience of playing multiple ages and emotions of one character was a new challenge for Jang Gyu-ri as well.Jang Gyu-ri recently met with at the Namoo Actors building in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, for an interview ahead of the finale of the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Four Hands' (written by Shin Yi-won, directed by Park Hyun-seok). In the drama, she played Hong Jae-in, who grew from a violist to a manager, and shared various stories about the work and her character.'Four Hands', which ended on the 4th with its 12th episode, is a story about the friendship, love, competition, and growth of young people who meet at an arts high school filled with musical prodigies.Jang Gyu-ri played Jae-in, who stayed by Bio's (played by Song Kang) side for a long time. While the surrounding characters acted in a realistic tone, Jae-in had a uniquely bright disposition, which made her a character that carried some pressure. Jang Gyu-ri confessed, "The fact that I was the only one standing out made it more burdensome. Everyone else was realistic, but I felt like a cartoon character."Therefore, the process of matching the tone with the director was important. She explained, "The director would tone me down if it was too much, and tell me to raise it if it needed more." She also clearly differentiated between her teenage and twenties portrayals. For her teenage self, she created a cute and bright image using hairpins, while for her twenties self, she expressed a manager-like aura with suits, watches, neat hairstyles, and subtle makeup."In my teens, I had to act with a bright tone, but as I entered my twenties, I switched to a more realistic tone. I wanted to look like I belonged in the drama rather than appearing separate. Thanks to that, I think I was able to show a variety of acting in 'Four Hands'."Actress Jang Gyu-ri played Hong Jae-in in the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Four Hands', who grew from a violist to a manager, portraying both the teenage and adult versions of the character. / tvNIn understanding Jae-in, music was important to Jang Gyu-ri. She saw Bio's music, a childhood friend, as having a meaning beyond just music for Jae-in. She filled in the character's emotions by imagining backgrounds not explicitly stated in the script.Jang Gyu-ri interpreted, "Bio's music must have been music that enveloped and comforted Jae-in," adding, "She must have wanted to make others feel the comfort she received by protecting Bio's music." She viewed Jae-in's desire to discover Jeong-yo's talent early on and publicize his potential in the same light.She also did not easily define the relationship between Bio and Jae-in. Jang Gyu-ri said, "I didn't know even while acting. I kept wondering what Bio's feelings were and what (Song Kang) oppa was thinking while acting," and added, "I think Jae-in felt the same way. She doesn't seem to know exactly what her feelings are."She saw Jae-in's reaction to Bio, who spoke of parting, as closer to avoidance than certainty. She thought, "She knew it wasn't (love), but she asked while avoiding it," and continued, "Perhaps she continued the relationship thinking Bio's feelings might change. Even until the end, it might have been a feeling of avoidance."Jae-in's feelings were most clearly revealed in the scene where she angrily tells Jeong-yo to protect Bio. Jang Gyu-ri explained, "Isn't that the only scene where Jae-in gets angry? In that situation, protecting Bio was the priority, so I thought it was an action she could take," and added, "No matter how much of a conductor Jeong-yo is, I thought, 'How much must Jae-in have been to act like this?'"Regarding the much-talked-about kiss scene between Bio and Jae-in, she also shared her interpretation. Jang Gyu-ri said, "Jae-in is a character who has liked Bio for a long time," and expressed her hope, "I wanted it to be seen more as a form of CPR than a kiss between a man and a woman." Therefore, she hoped that in their relationship, more attention would be paid to Jae-in's growth rather than Bio's regret."Regardless of whether Bio regrets it or not, I think the experience of Jae-in liking someone for a long time is precious. Jae-in will also grow in her own way, so I hope people focus on that part. Whether Bio regrets it or not, Jae-in will be the same."Actress Jang Gyu-ri revealed that in the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Four Hands', while the relationship between Jae-in and Bio was important, she tried to focus a little more on Jae-in's growth. / tvNAs Jang Gyu-ri said, Jae-in's growth is not limited to love. Jang Gyu-ri cited her process of finding her own life and work as growth, saying, "There were times when Jae-in acted as if Bio was her whole life, but now she's not like that and works harder in her management job." Regarding the ending, she smiled and said, "Personally, I like happy endings, so I'm satisfied."In this work, she also took on the challenge of playing the viola herself. Although she was initially offered a double, she had a strong desire to perform it herself. She said, "I thought a scene where I play it myself, even if it's short, was essential, so I asked to get a viola and receive lessons," and revealed that she learned everything from how to hold the instrument to playing a song naturally over about two months.Her familiarity with music was also influenced by her mother. Jang Gyu-ri, whose mother was a music teacher in high school, learned piano, violin, and guitar from a young age. She shared, "She always created an environment where I could play when I was having a hard time or needed comfort," and admitted that she has actually been comforted through music.Therefore, when she first received the script for 'Four Hands', she was drawn to the story of young people growing through music, as she believed in the power of music. Above all, she was attracted to the fact that Jae-in looked at Jeong-yo's and Bio's talents without jealousy or misunderstanding and helped them be loved by the world.'Four Hands' is also significant for Jang Gyu-ri in that she experienced the various ages and emotions of a single character. She said, "That process itself feels like I've grown a little as a person," and added, "Before, I had only shown one period or one aspect of a character, but this time I showed various sides. I think I'm doing well step by step."Actress Jang Gyu-ri bid farewell to the tvN Saturday-Sunday drama 'Four Hands' with a three-line poem. / Namoo ActorsAlthough she is steadily rising as an actress who leads projects, Jang Gyu-ri still doesn't confidently say, "I'm ready." She confessed, "I always worry and doubt if I can do well," but added, "If I'm given a role, I seem to do my best. So I hope I'm given roles," she said with a smile.She remains open to new roles in the future. Jang Gyu-ri said, "I want to try everything I haven't done before," and expressed her desire to "challenge historical dramas and roles related to my father's profession as a soldier."Her next project is already set. The movie 'Perfect House', which was filmed early on, is scheduled to be released within the year. It is particularly drawing attention as Jang Gyu-ri's first film debut and her foray into the occult genre.Finally, Jang Gyu-ri expressed her regret at parting with 'Four Hands' and her feelings for the viewers who watched it through a three-line poem. At first, she shyly said, "It's so embarrassing. Please don't use it if it's awkward," but in the end, she directly conveyed her greetings to the viewers who loved Jae-in and the drama."When watching Four Hands, I tooHeld my breath and watched, putting down my phone.Thank you for your love until now."sstar1204@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]
