Move over, naysayers. It’s a new year and model-actress Lee Sung Kyung has emerged as a strong candidate for to become Korea’s next It Girl.
Boasting an impressive track record as a model, she later ventured into acting in 2014’s It’s Okay, That’s Love, secured a leading role in 2015’s Queen’s Flower and is currently starring in ongoing drama Cheese in the Trap.
As a testament to her ever-growing star power, she was recently appointed as LANEIGE’s global ambassador, joining A-lister Song Hye Gyo in becoming the face of the beauty brand. Jetting into town amidst her busy schedule, she was the picture of perfection despite having arrived hours before the event.
Sitting down with Toggle for an interview before the ION Orchard boutique’s official opening party, the 25-year-old gushed, “To be the ambassador of a brand that not only Korea, Asia but also the world loves is an honour and a joy.”
“It’s an honour to be chosen as an ambassador alongside these seniors (such as Song Hye Gyo and previously, Jun Ji Hyun) in the industry and it’d be a lie to say that there’s no pressure in my current role. However, I’m excited to be able to show everyone my own unique charms as well,” she added.
As part of the main cast of the highly anticipated drama, Cheese in the Trap, Sung Kyung confessed that some days, she doesn’t get any sleep at all. “Honestly, my schedule can vary a lot and my skin and overall condition can deteriorate quickly (…) when I have free time, I enjoy spending time on my own, visiting cafes and taking a break,” she mused.
Despite having only aired two episodes as at press time, Cheese in the Trap has garnered a lot of attention for being an adaptation of the popular webtoon of the same name. “(My character) Baek In Ha is one that everyone probably got surprised by – she’s loud and outgoing, she’s aggressive and flirts a lot. I’m doing my best to follow the character as portrayed in the webtoon so I hope that everyone will look upon her well,” the hazel-eyed lady shared.
“At the beginning, I was naturally worried about playing this character as it’s a webtoon that many people look upon on fondly. I tried my best during shooting and there were comic, over-the-top moments that I personally enjoyed. I’ll continue to work hard to portray Baek In Ha which I hope everyone will like,” Sung Kyung finished.
A big part of her on-screen time is spent with actor Seo Kang Joon, who plays her younger brother. Grinning, she let on, “Many people say that we look like siblings (…) even in real life, we don’t call each other by our names and use In Ha and In Ho (their respective characters’ names in Cheese in the Trap) instead. We get along well, like real siblings would.”
When probed about her thoughts on possibly becoming the next big thing in her home country and beyond, she had to clarify the question before breaking into a huge grin. “I’m trying my best at everything I do and am thankful that people have been looking upon me favourably. I’ll work even harder from now on,” she mused, letting out a girlish giggle, “All I can say is thank you very much.”