For me, confidence comes from knowledge, so I’m always actively seeking new skills and techniques. I thought, if I’m going to dedicate my life to acting, I should honor the craft by studying it as deeply as possible. That commitment to learning is what grounds me. I’ve always believed that acting is a profession that deserves to be studied seriously. It’s an art form that should be honored, respected, and approached with discipline. 

Training with coaches from the U.S. and Korea taught me early on that Western and Korean acting styles are very different, not only in technique but in cultural nuance, and how characters express themselves. Because acting is so deeply tied to language and culture, I knew I had to study each approach in its own environment and in its native language to truly understand it.

That combined with physical training like stage combat and stunt work has given me a unique flexibility and deeper understanding of my body and its movements. Whether I’m on a Korean or a Hollywood set, I feel ready to adapt to the style of storytelling each industry has while still bringing my own uniqueness to the part.

One of my biggest challenges after my breakout lead role in the Netflix series So Not Worth It was deciding where to go next. Having such a pivotal moment can be both exciting and overwhelming, and I spent a lot of time thinking carefully about what direction I wanted my career to take. While many people saw that role as a major achievement, I personally viewed it as just the beginning. I still have many goals and milestones I hope to reach within the Korean entertainment industry, and continuing to pursue those opportunities hasn’t always been easy, especially given the limited roles available to foreign actors. Staying patient and committed to building a long-term career in Korea has been one of my greatest challenges.

At the same time, there have been moments that felt incredibly rewarding. This year, I was deeply honored to receive the Rising Star Award at the 2025 Korean Entertainment Awards. I have immense respect for the artists and professionals in this industry, many of whom have inspired me since I first came to Korea as a young girl. Being recognized alongside those same artists felt surreal and deeply meaningful. It was truly a full-circle moment for me, and it reaffirmed why I continue to work so hard. That recognition has motivated me even more to keep growing, and I hope one day to be nominated for a role I’ve acted in. Not just for the recognition, but because I want to contribute meaningfully to the industry and craft I admire so deeply and care for.

I feel as though my career is evolving with projects that are larger in scope and turning towards more challenging opportunities. I’m excited to step even further beyond my comfort zone and explore what I can bring on a global scale. With the momentum of so many successful Korean–Hollywood crossover films and projects in 2025, I’m hopeful that 2026 will offer even more opportunities where I can draw on my background in both markets and reveal new dimensions of myself as an actress and artist.

As I move into this next chapter, I want to reveal new depths of myself in my craft. Whether that means taking on more emotionally complex characters, challenging myself physically through action roles, or exploring different genres I haven’t yet had the chance to dive into, I’m excited and eager to keep growing and developing. Ultimately, my goal is to continue evolving in ways that allow me to connect with audiences around the world and to be part of stories that resonate across cultures.

I’ve seen women’s empowerment look a little different in each culture, but at the heart of it I also see it’s often the same. Each industry has its own pressures on women, whether it’s the demand for physical perfection or the expectation to constantly reinvent yourself to stay relevant. 

For me, women’s empowerment means refusing to mold ourselves to fit into any idea of what society thinks a woman should be. Working between Hollywood and Korea, I’ve seen how different the expectations can be, but I’ve also seen firsthand how strong women are across both industries and cultures.

I think one of the biggest ways we will see changes in women’s empowerment is by supporting more women behind the scenes and behind the camera. When more women are involved in the creative process and decision-making power, that's when I believe true empowerment will happen. I also hope to use my career to help push these boundaries a little further every time I take on a new role.

I believe I found my voice through my role in the Korean Netflix original series So Not Worth It. That role was truly a breakthrough role for me. It was the first time I felt like I had a real place in the Korean entertainment industry. Before that, I spent many years training, working hard, and taking on smaller roles, always learning, always trying to prove myself. But it was in that project in which I felt everything shifted for me.

For the first time, I felt seen by the public, not just as someone aspiring to be an actor in Korea, but as a professional actor whose work people recognized and connected with. It felt like I had finally earned the right to speak and express myself as a true artist. That sense of being heard, after so many years of quietly pushing forward, was incredibly meaningful and powerful for me.

I would love to play a role in a classic Korean romantic comedy. When I first moved to Korea as a teenager, rom-coms were my introduction to Korean film, so stepping into that genre now would definitely be a full-circle moment for me.

I’m also a hopeless romantic at heart. There’s something endlessly captivating about watching two people slowly discover each other and fall in love. I never get tired of those stories. What I love most about Korean rom-coms is their perfect balance between light-hearted charm and emotional depth. One moment you’re laughing at the physical comedy, and the next, your heart is breaking into a million pieces from the story. This balance is so unique to Korean cinema, and it’s why I believe it resonates so deeply with audiences from around the world.

Being able to play a character in a story like that would be incredibly meaningful for me. It would feel like paying homage to the genre that inspired me when I was young, while also contributing to something that continues to bring warmth and happiness to myself and so many people.

For me, it really comes down to checking in with myself regularly. It might sound silly, but I never want to get lost in any kind of “sauce,” no matter what that may be in this industry. Especially in an age shaped by social media, fame and constant visibility it’s incredibly easy to lose yourself without even realizing it. I never want to get swept up in the pressure to be anything other than myself.

I think what also helps me is that at my core I know I was born to be a storyteller. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. So even on social media, that’s always my goal. It’s not about making money, selling things, or trying to make a quick buck, it's about connecting with others and sharing a story. Staying true to that purpose has helped me stay grounded and remain myself throughout all the different projects and environments I’ve worked in.

I think this has been one of the most challenging parts of my journey, not just professionally, but personally as well. The pressure of beauty standards in Korea can be incredibly intense, and that pressure becomes even heavier when you’re working in the public eye. I’ve always believed that actors should look human, because we’re telling human stories. Yet more often than not, I would encounter comments about my appearance during auditions for roles like teachers, mothers, or friends. Roles that, in my opinion, have little to do with physical appearance in the first place.

In Korea, appearance can often come first in casting rooms with directors, and only after that does talent enter the conversation. Being on the receiving end of that mindset was difficult, and it created significant obstacles in my career. There were moments when it genuinely impacted my self-esteem and made me question myself and what others thought I should be.

I define success a little differently now than when I first started my career. Now, success to me means being able to live a comfortable, fulfilling life while doing a profession you genuinely love. If you can support yourself through your craft, waking up every day excited about the work you’re creating, then not only are you successful, you’ve won in life. Success, for me, is no longer about anything superficial but about living your life loving it. 

I always want to be mindful when sharing my experiences in Korean entertainment, and I’m careful not to speak for cultures or communities that aren’t mine. I want to honor the stories I’m entrusted with and contribute to them in a way that’s respectful to the cultures I’m working with. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with talented Korean directors and actors, who have taught me so much and offered guidance throughout my career.

With my upcoming projects, I hope to continue reflecting that spirit of collaboration. For me, representation isn’t about positioning myself as a spokesperson. It's about participating in stories that highlight diversity in background, language, and experience. If my journey helps someone who feels out of place, or someone navigating multiple cultures believe that they also have a place in this industry, then that feels deeply meaningful to me. My goal is simply to support the stories I’m part of and approach every project in a way that honors the people and cultures behind it.

The biggest advice I’d give to any young woman dreaming of being in front of the camera is this: never compare yourself to anyone else. Comparison is one of the most damaging things you can fall into. Nothing good comes from it, and not only does it hold you back it takes away from what makes you extraordinary.

In this industry, especially for women, our appearance is often brought into conversations we never asked to be part of. That can make it hard not to compare yourself to others. But the truth is, the moment you truly understand what makes you unique, you become incomparable. And you soon realize that is your greatest strength. Figuring out what unique qualities only you can bring to roles will set you aside from others and make you a star.  

And just as important, you must learn to celebrate the success of others. We can’t win every time, and that’s okay. When it’s your moment, everyone else steps aside while you shine. So remember to let who once stepped aside for you to also have their moment to shine. There’s room for all of us, and lifting each other up only makes the industry stronger.

I do see this as the next step in my career. Many of my seniors and mentors I admire have taken that leap into creating and producing, and watching them has made me realize how important it is to shape your own narrative. I’m hoping to begin carving out my own path in that direction in 2026. 

For me, it feels like a necessary evolution, an opportunity to spotlight stories that are often overlooked, especially from artists who struggle the most yet I believe often have the most stories to tell. I’m particularly passionate about telling stories centered on female characters that audiences can resonate with, honestly root for, and see themselves in.

I know stepping into creation and production will be challenging at first, but I’m ready to start small and grow. My hope is that, over time, I’ll be able to build something bigger than myself, and perhaps broaden the kinds of narratives we normally wouldn’t see and open doors that might never have existed if I hadn’t created them myself.   

With Armorsaurs premiering on Disney+ in February 2026, I hope to become part of a new generation of kids’ childhoods. So many shows shaped me growing up, and I still rewatch some of them out of pure nostalgia. The idea that I could be that comforting, memorable presence for future generations is almost unbelievable and just warms my heart. 

I’ve always envisioned myself as an actor who’s here for the long run, someone who explores a wide range of genres and forms of storytelling. Armorsaurs marks the start of another chapter for me, a new branch extending from the work people may know me from. It’s a huge departure from what I’ve done before in Korean films, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience a completely different side of me.

Ultimately, I hope audiences see me as a versatile actor who never limits herself to one path, someone who’s always evolving, growing and exploring. And I hope they find themselves excited and curious about what project or character I might take on next.

There are two women in particular who continue to inspire me deeply: Go Doo-shim and Youn Yuh-jung. Both represent something incredibly powerful to me, the idea that acting is not defined or limited by age. In an industry that often suggests a woman’s value peaks at a certain age, they have shown, through decades of work, that artistry only deepens with time.

I had the privilege of working with Go Doo-shim on the production of When the Camellia Blooms, and it was a true honor. She is often referred to in Korea as the “National Actress” and working closely with her, I was able to witness firsthand her discipline, emotional depth, and quiet strength. She carries a sense of grounding that feels deeply woven into Korean storytelling, and her presence reflects the emotional backbone of so many stories Korean women have grown up with. She embodies longevity in a way that feels lived-in and deeply human, reminding me that consistency, sincerity, and commitment are truly powerful.

Youn Yuh-jung inspires me in a different but equally profound way. This year, I had the opportunity to meet her while working behind the camera in production of a new project, and that experience has stayed with me. To me, she represents an artist who has continually redefined what is possible for women in film. Constantly choosing integrity over expectations and complexity over comfort. Her career feels historically and artistically monumental, particularly in Korean cinema, and now her global success speaks to the power of remaining fearless and refusing to ever settle in one’s work and career. 

Together, they inspire me not only as an artist, but as a woman. Because of them, I believe I can continue to act for years to come. They remind me that growth, depth, and relevance don’t fade with age; they come with it.

One lesson I wish I could give my younger self is to show myself more grace. I’ve always been very hard on myself. Part of me can say that, it’s this same drive and work ethic that brought me a lot of success, but it’s also where some of my darkest moments came from. My determination often spiraled into tunnel vision, and I rarely paused to acknowledge or celebrate what I’d accomplished. Over time, that mindset drained me emotionally and physically, leading to a level of burnout in my early twenties that I didn’t fully understand until much later.

If I could talk to my younger self, or any young woman chasing a dream, I’d remind her to celebrate every win, no matter how small, and to treat herself with the same kindness she gives to the people she loves. We would never criticize our friends or family the way we sometimes criticize ourselves, so why hold ourselves to such impossible standards? We must remind ourselves that there will always be room to grow. And that we must let that growth happen at a healthy pace, and to always take care of our mind, body, and soul along the way.

I hope every woman reading this feels empowered today, tomorrow, and is reminded to uplift and celebrate all the women around her.

And above all, I hope you all never stop believing in your dreams or your ability to pursue them.