In a recent roundtable interview held at a café in Seoul’s Gangnam district, Kim Se Jeong spoke candidly about her acting journey and her experience starring in Lee Kang Dal, MBC’s Friday–Saturday historical fantasy romance. During the interview, she credited Ha Ji Won for giving her crucial advice that shaped her performance.
“Senior Ha Ji Won told me that you really have to communicate a lot with your co-star,” Kim Se Jeong shared. “After hearing that, I made a conscious effort to communicate constantly with Kang Tae Oh.”
Kim Se Jeong plays Park Dali, the female lead in Lee Kang Dal, a fantasy sageuk centered on a soul-swap romance between a crown prince who has lost his smile and a merchant who has lost her memories. The drama aired as MBC’s final Friday–Saturday series of 2025 and successfully reversed the network’s ratings slump, debuting at 3.8 percent and peaking at 6.8 percent by its finale.
Despite being her first historical drama, Kim Se Jeong admitted the role initially felt overwhelming. “There was so much I felt I needed to prove, so I hesitated at first,” she said, revealing that she had almost turned the role down. Encouragement from people around her eventually led her to accept the challenge.
To better portray her character, Kim Se Jeong even traveled to Boryeong to interview elderly residents. She also reached out to Ha Ji Won, recalling her iconic role in Secret Garden, a classic body-swap drama. “I rewatched the drama and contacted her to ask many questions,” Kim Se Jeong explained.
Ha Ji Won advised her to trust herself and express emotions more boldly. She also emphasized the importance of actor-to-actor communication. Taking that advice to heart, Kim Se Jeong revealed that she and Kang Tae Oh frequently exchanged recorded dialogue, sometimes even swapping phones to practice lines. “Even if I messaged him at dawn, he’d reply right away,” she said with a smile.
Reflecting on her career, Kim Se Jeong concluded, “I think my strengths as an actor are sincerity and consistency. Sometimes that consistency can also be a weakness, but now I feel like I’ve grown strong enough to handle it.”
With guidance from a senior actress and dedication to her craft, Kim Se Jeong’s performance in Lee Kang Dal has reaffirmed her status as a trusted and beloved leading actress.
Sources: TenAsia,MBC
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