Park Ji-hyun has delivered what many consider her career-defining performance in Netflix's emotional drama series "You and Everything Else," where she portrays Chun Sang-yeon, a terminally ill woman in her 40s who chooses assisted death while reflecting on her complicated relationship with her only friend. The 31-year-old actress has garnered both critical acclaim and popular praise for her nuanced portrayal of the complex character, elevating her status among leading actors in the Korean entertainment industry.
The series follows Sang-yeon's journey as she battles terminal cancer and decides to end her life through assisted dying, accompanied by her friend Ryu Eun-jung, played by Kim Go-eun. Sang-yeon's life has been marked by profound trauma and loneliness after losing her brother as a teenager, watching her family disintegrate, and facing sudden poverty. Despite Eun-jung's repeated attempts to maintain their friendship, Sang-yeon's hardened exterior leads her to push away or lash out at those who try to help her, even though her eyes reveal a deep longing for love and connection.
During a recent interview at a café in Seoul's Jongno District, Park Ji-hyun appeared still emotionally connected to her character, occasionally choking up mid-sentence as she discussed the role. "I didn't know how to give or receive love, so loving or hating Eun-jung was exhausting. That's why I destroyed everything. Because I wanted to destroy you. Because I wanted to destroy myself," she quoted from the series, capturing the essence of Sang-yeon's internal struggle.
Park's approach to understanding Sang-yeon demonstrates her commitment to character development and psychological depth. "My belief is that there's no such thing as an incomprehensible character," she explained. "I always approach a role thinking that there's a reason and justification behind every action." The actress found the role particularly accessible because the script provided Sang-yeon's complete life story from childhood to death, eliminating the need for her to create additional backstory elements.
To authentically portray a character suffering from terminal illness, Park underwent extreme physical preparation that demonstrated her dedication to the role. She embarked on a three-week fast before filming began, consuming only coffee and water during this period. This intense preparation helped her embody the physical and emotional state of someone facing the end of life, bringing authenticity to her performance that resonates with viewers.
Despite receiving widespread recognition for her performance, Park was quick to acknowledge the crucial role her co-star played in the series' success. "All the recognition should go to Kim Go-eun," she said humbly. "Because she was so solid and patient, like a big rock, I could throw myself into raw, unfiltered emotions even though I lacked experience. Sang-yeon wouldn't have existed without her." This collaborative spirit highlights the chemistry between the two actresses that makes their on-screen relationship so compelling.
One of the most emotionally powerful moments in Park's acting experience occurred during the filming of Sang-yeon's death scene in Switzerland. The scene represents the climax of the character's journey and required intense emotional preparation. "When Sang-yeon opens the valve herself and death approaches, her eyes close and her voice stops, but it felt like her ears were still open," Park recalled, describing the delicate balance required to portray such a profound moment.
During this crucial scene, an unscripted moment created one of the series' most touching exchanges. "In the original script, Eun-jung didn't say it, but Kim Go-eun suddenly said, 'Sang-yeon, I love you.' It was something Sang-yeon had never heard from anyone in her life," Park revealed. Overcome with emotion, she wanted to respond to this unexpected declaration of love. "I really wanted to say, 'I love you too.' I think that feeling ended up in her final breath," she said, becoming emotional as she recalled the moment.
The experience of portraying death and terminal illness had a profound impact on Park's personal philosophy and outlook on life. "Before this project, I was afraid of death. But now I see it as a universal human task. It made me think about how we should live in order to die well," she reflected. This transformation demonstrates how deeply the role affected her both as an actress and as an individual, showing the lasting impact of meaningful artistic work.
Park also shared her thoughts on the controversial topic of assisted dying, which remains illegal in South Korea but is central to the series' narrative. "I'm still not completely detached from Sang-yeon, but here's what I think," she said cautiously. "We don't get to choose whether we're born. But for those standing at the threshold of death and at the end of suffering, shouldn't we at least allow them the choice of how they die?" Her thoughtful approach to this sensitive issue reflects the series' ability to spark important conversations about end-of-life care and personal autonomy.
Park Ji-hyun's career has been building steadily since her 2017 debut, with notable performances in various projects including the horror film "Gonjiam" (2018), and popular dramas "Yumi's Cells" (2021) and "Reborn Rich" (2022). However, it is her emotionally complex portrayal of Sang-yeon in "You and Everything Else" that has truly established her as a leading actress capable of handling challenging and psychologically demanding roles. The performance showcases her range and depth as an actress while tackling difficult themes of mortality, friendship, and the human need for connection.
