Explore Yeom Hye Ran’s versatile roles, from intense revenge to multi-dimensional characters, captivating audiences with depth and emotion.
In Netflix’s ‘Mask Girl,’ Kim Kyung Ja (played by Yeom Hye Ran) as the mother of Joo Oh Nam (played by Ahn Jae Hong) is an intense character.
The cry of a mother who lost her son is pitiful yet filled with madness. With strong maternal love, she also exudes the ‘killer instinct’ willing to commit murder for revenge.
Viewers even playfully referred to her as ‘Yeom Bardem,’ drawing a comparison to Javier Bardem, who played the psychopathic murderer Anton Chigurh in the 2007 film ‘No Country for Old Men,’ for which he received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Earlier this year, Yeom Hye Ran starred in the revenge drama ‘The Glory,’ which garnered high praise during the first half of the year.
In ‘The Glory,’ Yeom Hye Ran’s character seeks revenge without getting her hands bloody. She achieves her revenge and opens her own side dish shop. In the world of ‘The Glory,’ Yeom Hye Ran’s character has a happy ending.
In OCN’s ‘The Uncanny Counter,’ Yeom Hye Ran portrays a character who heals the wounded and helps those in pain after losing her son.
Although there might be similarities between the characters in these dramas, focused on revenge of a mother who loses her child, Kim Kyung Ja in ‘Mask Girl’ is taken to an extreme compared to the other characters.
While Kang Hyun Nam in ‘The Glory’ achieves a happy ending after seeking revenge, Kim Kyung Ja is tragically struck by police gunfire. Choo Mae Ok in ‘The Uncanny Counter’ heals through sorrow, but Kim Kyung Ja continues her path of vengeance without hesitation.
Kim Kyung Ja’s determination for revenge plays a significant role alongside the protagonist, adding depth to the drama. Her multi-dimensional portrayal increases viewer immersion.
In ‘Mask Girl,’ Yeom Hye Ran truly transforms into Kim Kyung Ja.
Experienced actors often carry strong impressions from their past roles into new ones, which can hinder immersion. However, Yeom Hye Ran’s portrayal of Kim Kyung Ja does not overlap with any previous character she has played.
Debuting as a stage actor in 2000, Yeom Hye Ran has gradually built her filmography. Starting with a minor role as a mother in the 2003 film ‘Memories of Murder,’ she continued with supporting roles in popular films like ‘I Can Speak,’ ‘Innocent Witness,’ and ‘Miss & Mrs. Cops.’
In 2016, she made her TV drama debut with tvN’s ‘Dear My Friends.’ In ‘Goblin,’ she drew attention with her role as Ji Eun Tak’s (Kim Go Eun) aunt and antagonist, Ji Yeon Suk.
She continued to appear in ‘When the Camellia Blooms,’ ‘Prison Playbook,’ and in 2020, she delivered a strong performance in ‘The Uncanny Counter.’
In the recent well-received film ‘Honey Sweet,’ she played a local pharmacist, showcasing great chemistry with Cha Chi Ho (played by Yoo Hae Jin). Her performance brings laughter to the audience, despite her special appearance having only a limited screen time.
Navigating between TV and the big screen, Yeom Hye Ran brings various joys to the audience. It’s exciting to anticipate how she will express a different character in future productions.
Source: Insight.
