[Dispatch=Reporter Lee A-jin] "Everyone works hard. Now I want to become an actress who does well."

In the film 'The Intern,' young CEO Sohee (played by Han So-hee) meets silver intern Kihoe (played by Choi Min-sik) and reflects on herself. Han So-hee, too, faced her own shortcomings while playing Sohee.

She discovered herself in Sohee's perfectionism. The desire to do well pushed her to her limits, and the time she spent trying to find answers alone overlapped with the character. That's why Kihoe's advice reached not just Sohee but actress Han So-hee as well.

While working in sync with actors of her generation, she discovered gaps in herself she hadn't been aware of. Watching Choi Min-sik, she learned not just about acting but also how to treat people.

Just as Sohee took a step forward by meeting Kihoe, Han So-hee also grew both as an actress and as a person through 'The Intern.' Dispatch heard more of that story.

◆ "I didn't hold back"

'The Intern' tells the story of Kihoe, with 37 years of career experience, joining as a silver intern at a fashion startup called 'Ututu' operated by Sohee after his retirement. It is a Korean remake of the Hollywood film of the same name adapted to Korean sensibilities.

For Han So-hee, there was both anticipation and worry. Since the original work was beloved worldwide, the pressure was great. Still, the character Sohee seemed quite attractive to her.

"Sohee is a person with her feet on the ground. It seemed like there would be someone like Sohee anywhere. I was also interested in being able to express office life."

She was also worried about the chemistry with senior actor Choi Min-sik. She wondered whether she could create synergy befitting his long acting career. Still, Han So-hee decided not to avoid it but to collide head-on.

She said, "I thought I would never be able to catch up with the senior's career and years of experience," and added, "I thought if I could just respond to that energy, it would be a success. I just jumped in without holding back."

In preparing for filming, she first set her mindset. Rather than being swayed by tension, she threw herself into practice with the thought of fully showing what she had prepared.

"Nervousness won't do any good for acting. Above all, I wanted to do well, and I was confident enough to prepare sufficiently. I thought I should be prepared to be scolded or criticized on set if I fall short. But next time I can just do better."

◆ "Seeing myself in Sohee"

Sohee is someone who made her dreams a reality. But as the company grew, so did the responsibility. Han So-hee immersed herself in Sohee by asking working friends about the hardships of office life. In that process, she discovered similarities with herself.

"I also have perfectionist tendencies like Sohee. When you try to be perfect, your perspective narrows. Maybe both Sohee and I didn't know how to rely on others. There might have been arrogance in thinking my judgment was right."

Han So-hee also ran for a while finding answers on her own rather than relying on those around her. Acting was difficult to evaluate objectively. She pushed herself hard with the desire to do well, leaving her body and mind behind.

That's why Kihoe's advice didn't end with Sohee. Han So-hee said, "Above all, the words about eating well and sleeping well resonated most with me," and pointed out, "It's the most basic advice, but it's something easily overlooked in a busy life."

Particularly in the scene where she faced Kihoe alone, her emotions burst. It's a scene in the bar where Sohee opens up about the weight of office life, the betrayal of the close vice-chairman, and her shaken marriage. Kihoe reassures Sohee that she is still young and capable, so she should pursue her dreams freely.

"As I was listening to the senior's lines, at some point it sounded like it wasn't directed at Sohee but at Han So-hee. It wasn't originally a scene I was supposed to cry in, but suddenly I felt like a bomb was exploding in my heart. I just cried and cried."

◆ "Life mentor Choi Min-sik"

If Kihoe's words were comforting to Han So-hee, the actor Choi Min-sik left another kind of learning. Simply watching his acting up close was an education.

"The senior joked around and chatted right before filming. Then when the camera rolled, he immediately became Kihoe. His focus in that moment was truly remarkable. I wanted to master that kind of switch too."

What was more impressive than acting was the way he treated people. Choi Min-sik didn't present his long career like it was the right answer. He first accepted Han So-hee's interpretation of Sohee.

Han So-hee recalled, "When my acting differed from what the senior had in mind, he didn't force me to 'do it this way,'" and added, "Instead, he asked 'How about trying it this way?' He really respected the junior's opinions."

The way Choi Min-sik was resembled the 'good adult' that Han So-hee thinks of. Not someone who describes themselves as a good adult, but someone who naturally makes people around them feel that way.

"I could see that the senior was always worried about how his juniors might find him difficult. He reached out first to ease that boundary. His attitude of respecting everyone as person to person, regardless of age or gender, left a deep impression. I also wanted to leave a footprint that makes someone think, 'I want to be like that person.'"

◆ "I want to do well"

That realization continued even after filming wrapped. Han So-hee is constantly thinking about what kind of person to be. The starting point is knowing herself properly.

"Paintings are also a device for me to reflect on my heart. I express what I'm thinking these days and what I'm drawn to. As a result, my paintings often end up hanging in the character's home. This time, it's the same with Sohee's house."

Recently, she's also finding balance between body and mind through exercise. She relieves stress through boxing and also works out regularly. In acting, she still finds shortcomings. She frequently rewatches previous works she appeared in.

She said, "Every time I watch, I think 'Why did I do it that way, was that the best I could do,' but still, that was clearly my best at the time. If I can see shortcomings now, I try to fix them however I can."

Finally, she was asked what kind of actress she wants to be. Han So-hee said she wants to be an actress who doesn't turn away from shortcomings and continues to fill them in.

"I think it would be stranger not to have shortcomings. In 'The Intern,' in particular, working with so many actors of my generation made me realize even more where I fall short. I want to fix those things one by one and do better going forward however I can."

'The Intern' opens on the 16th.

<Photos provided by Warner Bros. Korea>