[Dispatch | Busan=Reporter Jung Tae-yoon] "I'm fearless."

Yang Zi-jing is an icon of challenge. She has consistently taken on new roles and unhesitatingly chosen to work with emerging directors. Newness always brings uncertainty. Was there no fear?

She answered this question with sparkling eyes, saying "I'm not afraid." Her curiosity and interest in new things have completed who Yang Zi-jing is today.

Yang Zi-jing attended a press conference for "Our Grandmother Is a Cube Master," part of the Asia Film Awards / Gala Presentation, held on the 7th at the Hall of Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan.

She said warmly, "I came to Busan for the first time in 15 years. Thank you for the warm welcome. I came here three days ago and a double rainbow appeared. It seems like a good sign."

Yang Zi-jing has worked across Asia and Hollywood in films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Crazy Rich Asians," and "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings."

In particular, she made a meaningful record by winning the Academy Award for Best Actress as the first Asian actress for "Everything Everywhere All at Once."

She was recognized for her contributions to the development of Asian cinema. Yang Zi-jing received the Asia Film Award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival.

She said, "The Busan Film Festival and I have both walked a long path. We both started in Asia and have the goal of going global. I think we have achieved that goal in some way."

As an Asian woman, she has broken through many barriers to reach this point. Yang Zi-jing opened up, saying, "When I first went to Hollywood, the shock was that they saw me as a minor."

She continued, "I was only given stereotypical roles. When I did 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' I felt that I had broken through some kind of barrier," and emphasized, "It was possible because I have love and passion for this work, and I'm always dreaming of new challenges."

"I like things that raise my heartbeat. Things that allow me to learn more, new experiences. If you look at my filmography, you'll see. Every role is different."

Regarding becoming the first Asian actress to win the Oscar for Best Actress, she said, "Actress Youn Yuh-jung was the first Asian to receive an acting award. So I think her status was elevated."

She continued, "The award gives me the strength to move forward rather than being a one-time thing. Especially Korean cinema is doing really well globally, isn't it. I will continue to move in that direction and engage in my work with pride."

The new film "Our Grandmother Is a Cube Master" was also a new challenge. This is the director's second feature film, and she played a woman in her 70s, older than herself.

After appearing mainly in Hollywood productions, she returned to Chinese-language cinema for the first time in a long while. She said, "I thought about how I could return to the Asian market in the best way."

She continued, "I wanted to build a bridge between East and West. I wanted this bridge to not disappear and to go back and forth working on projects. So I hope everyone loves 'Our Grandmother Is a Cube Master.'"

4,325. The number of shapes that can be created with a single Rubik's cube. "Our Grandmother Is a Cube Master" is based on the Rubik's cube, where one must solve countless combinations to create a single shape.

Zhao (played by Yang Zi-jing) has lost her home due to fraud and lives in a nursing home. Before this Zhao appears You Yuwei, a former world champion of Rubik's cube who now makes a meager living performing at a night market.

Zhao learns everything about the Rubik's cube from him one by one. The Rubik's cube is a game that constantly changes and solves difficult problems. Life is the same way.

Yang Zi-jing explained why she chose this project: "I was drawn to the story where older people also challenge themselves and get back up even after failure," and said, "Our lives are in our hands. I can change my life, but what can I do. I wanted to deliver that message."

"My mother is 80 years old, and she didn't like the fact that I was playing a woman in her 70s. But I wanted to give audiences a message through the film not to give up."

When asked about her fear of the new role, she recalled, "The director of 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' didn't have much experience either. But when I read the script, I thought it was crazy."

"I like working with emerging directors. They have new perspectives, and I see things I hadn't seen before. And I believe life is about taking risks and challenging yourself."

Finally, she said about the film, "Film is my life. I don't know how to live without film. I start every morning by watching film," and said, "Now there are also streaming and platforms, aren't there. I hope film is always here."

"Film has allowed me to meet many people and given me many memories. I've put myself in the shoes of different people and lived their lives. It has had the greatest impact on my life. I want to come back with new work next time."

Meanwhile, Yang Zi-jing will premiere "Our Grandmother Is a Cube Master" first for Busan audiences. She will also participate in a GV to share various stories about the film.

<Photo=Reporter Song Hyo-jin>