SEOUL, August 26— Rising star Go Min-si revels in embodying personas vastly divergent from her authentic self, a trait she showcases exquisitely in her latest Netflix Korean original series, aptly titled "The Frog," which she cherishes as her favorite project to date. "My aspiration is to be an actress whose every endeavor ignites anticipation among audiences for her subsequent endeavors," she enthused in a recent interview with local media.
Elaborating on her experience, Go said, "Delving into the world of 'The Frog' unearthed facets of my persona that I was hitherto unaware existed. If this endeavor serves as a catalyst for my next project, where I can reveal yet another dimension of my acting prowess, I would be overjoyed."
In this taut crime thriller, Go transforms into Yoo Sung-a, a enigmatic visitor who stirs up the serenity of a secluded woodland motel. The eight-episode series, released on Friday, marks another feather in the 29-year-old's Netflix cap, following her acclaimed role in the apocalyptic horror "Sweet Home."
Recalling the casting process for "The Frog," director Mo Wan-il, renowned for "The World of Married," shared his initial impression of Go as "a glimpse of someone whose thoughts and actions defied prediction." At their second encounter, when Go donned a pair of heels, the director's admiration was evident. Her brief hesitation before replying, "I only wear them on special occasions," inadvertently painted a vivid picture of Sung-a in Mo's mind. Surprisingly, it was this three-second pause, rather than her response, that sealed her fate for the role.
Go particularly relishes the series' intricate narrative structure, which some viewers find "unforgiving" due to its requirement of active participation in piecing together the puzzle-like plot. "It wasn't a straightforward script to navigate, but that's precisely what I find alluring. I gravitate towards stories where each fragment intertwines to form a grander tapestry," she explained, adding that the "lack of linearity" lent the work an added layer of charm.
Prior to her acting debut, Go garnered attention with the short film "Parallel Novel," which she wrote, directed, and starred in back in 2016. Since then, she has graced numerous films and TV series, including "Cheese in the Trap" (2018), "Love Alarm" (2019-2020), and "Youth of May" (2021), where she shone in supporting roles. Her international breakthrough came via Netflix's "Sweet Home." Recently, she charmed audiences with her diligent and endearing self on tvN's reality show "Jinny's Kitchen 2," where a celebrity ensemble operated a Korean eatery in Iceland.
"I was oblivious to the cameras or how I appeared; I was solely focused on my tasks," she reminisced, admitting, "It was a tad embarrassing to have my authentic self exposed, yet I'm grateful that my industrious spirit was accurately captured."
As an actress, however, Go aspires to present herself as a chameleon, constantly evolving and distant from her real-life persona. "I am ever-eager to embrace new identities, to project diverse images, and to showcase the vast expanse of my transformative abilities," she asserted. "I am unfazed by future challenges; rather, I anticipate them with relish and zest."
