Ha Yeon-soo Shares Insights on Her Role in Japanese Drama 'Tiger's Wings'

In a recent episode of MBC's variety show Radio Star (라디오스타), actress Ha Yeon-soo made her first appearance on public broadcasting in three years, discussing her role in the Japanese historical drama Tiger's Wings (호랑이에게 날개). She revealed that the show achieved a peak viewership rating of 20% and is set to air a special episode, calling it a fortunate opportunity.

However, the journey to her casting was not without challenges. Ha shared that the production team inquired about Korea's historical issues, including unresolved matters and the comfort women controversy. She expressed her mixed feelings about discussing these sensitive topics, stating, "I spoke from a Korean perspective, and while I was pleased, I was also somewhat skeptical."

Originally, the role was intended for a Taiwanese actor, but the drama is significant as it acknowledges the massacre of Koreans during the Great Kanto Earthquake, making her participation meaningful. Ha also mentioned that NHK received complaints regarding her casting as a Korean actress.

Furthermore, she faced criticism in Korea due to the drama's backdrop of Japanese colonial rule and her character being a Korean who studied in Japan, which could lead to misunderstandings. Despite this, she emphasized the importance of her role as a lawyer defending Korean victims of the atomic bomb, stating, "I believe this role holds great significance."