Lee Kyung-jin Reveals Discrimination from Drama Director: 'I Faced Persecution'

In the latest episode of KBS2's 박원숙의 같이 삽시다 (Park Won-sook's Let's Live Together), aired on November 21, actors Lee Kyung-jin (이경진) and Moon Hee-kyung (문희경) shared behind-the-scenes stories from their drama experiences. The episode featured Park Won-sook (박원숙) and Hye-eun (혜은이) spending their final day in Yeongdeok with the two actresses.

During the outing to a Metasequoia forest, they encountered young fans who expressed their admiration, saying things like, "We love 'Blue Country'" and "We watched the show." After taking commemorative photos, Moon Hee-kyung remarked, "I don't envy BTS. We are complete stars," to which Park Won-sook responded, "We need to take care of our health to receive such treatment."

Later, Moon Hee-kyung reminisced about winning a grand prize at a chanson competition in her third year of university, leading her to perform 'Memories of the River Maritza.' Taking advantage of the moment, she and Hye-eun showcased their French skills, with Hye-eun sharing that her daughter studied in Paris and got married earlier this year.

Park Won-sook added, "Now she is a scuba diving instructor," while Hye-eun explained that her daughter originally majored in design and marketing, visiting France once a year to see her. Moon Hee-kyung proudly shared that winning the chanson competition allowed her to study French in France for two months, a rare opportunity at the time, making her the envy of many university students.

The conversation shifted as Hye-eun asked Moon Hee-kyung about her roles, specifically whether she preferred playing villains or heroes. Moon Hee-kyung noted that while she played both, people often remember her for her impactful villain roles. She candidly shared, "Playing a villain is enjoyable because I get to act out things I’ve never done, like splashing water or slapping someone. It’s a stress reliever."

Hye-eun expressed her desire to play a strong matriarch role, while Lee Kyung-jin suggested that she could also portray a villain with a twist. Moon Hee-kyung then spontaneously acted out a wealthy matriarch character, prompting Hye-eun to speculate that Lee Kyung-jin had never played such a role.

Moon Hee-kyung inquired about Lee Kyung-jin's past roles, to which Lee Kyung-jin mentioned her work in the drama 'Three Sisters' (세자매) alongside Jung Yoon-hee (정윤희) and Kim Young-ae (김영애), recalling that she was the youngest and gained popularity during that time. She also reflected on her experience with a KBS director, stating, "I felt I was treated differently. I faced a lot of persecution."

When Park Won-sook questioned whether Lee Kyung-jin's feelings of persecution were justified, Lee Kyung-jin asserted, "You can see it. I was persecuted, but outside, I was the most popular. I was ranked number one among women people wanted to marry."

Moon Hee-kyung then shared a personal story about a role she almost missed out on, where she played Song Yoon-ah's (송윤아) mother. She explained that despite their small age difference, she was determined to take on the role of a 60-year-old chairwoman after seeing the synopsis. She confidently called the producers, saying, "I can play this role. Age can be flexible for actors. Trust me, you won’t regret casting me," and ultimately secured the part, which helped her overcome age-related challenges in her career.

Park Won-sook expressed admiration for Moon Hee-kyung's proactive approach, noting that she had never attempted to pursue a role that seemed out of reach. Moon Hee-kyung concluded, "I was confident in that role. The drama did well, and I’m not afraid to take on challenges. If something seems impossible, you won’t know unless you try."