Using imagination is the go-to method for most South Korean artists to effortlessly film crying scenes. They typically imagine sad events or painful experiences to shed tears convincingly in front of the camera.
For these Korean artists, portraying emotional scenes with genuine tears is not impossible. They rely on their imagination as the solution, producing flawless results that captivate audiences. Let’s take a closer look!
1. Lee Joon Gi
Lee Joon Gi (instagram.com/actor_jg)In an interview in 2020, Lee Joon Gi shared his secret to filming crying scenes. He employed this technique in Flower of Evil when his character, Hyun Soo, experiences loss. To convey this, he imagined a wild animal mourning the death of its cub. Lee Joon Gi aimed to depict Hyun Soo’s profound sense of loss intensely, akin to an animal grieving its offspring. He was so immersed in the scene that he continued crying for days after filming.
2. Park Min Young
Park Min Young (instagram.com/rachel_mypark)Park Min Young discussed her viral crying scene in City Hunter during a 2011 interview. She revealed that she portrayed the scene by thinking about her parents, making it deeply personal and memorable. Grateful for the audience’s emotional response, she was motivated to work even harder in her acting endeavors.
3. Lee Sae On
Lee Sae On (instagram.com/leesaeon)In a 2021 interview, Lee Sae On recalled a memorable crying scene from Light On Me, where he struggled to cry on set. He eventually succeeded by combining his real-life difficulties with the script’s story, allowing his tears to flow naturally. Despite feeling guilty for the production delay, he effectively conveyed the scene’s emotion.
4. Jung So Min
Jung So Min (instagram.com/somin_jj)Jung So Min, in a 2017 interview, discussed her emotional connection to her character in Because This Is My First Life. She cried uncontrollably while reading a letter in a wedding scene, deeply immersed in the role. Her genuine emotion even concerned the director and crew.
5. Kim Kang Hoon
Kim Kang Hoon (instagram.com/kanghoon.juwon)During News Night in 2019, Kim Kang Hoon shared his experience filming crying scenes in When the Camellia Blooms. Drawing on his past sad experiences and the script’s narrative, he found it easier to evoke tears, despite feeling confident in such emotional portrayals.
6. Nam Joo Hyuk
Nam Joo Hyuk (instagram.com/skawngur)Nam Joo Hyuk’s impressive crying scene in The Great Battle, noted by a reporter in 2018, stemmed from his ability to tap into his own emotional experiences. Admitting to hiding his emotional wounds, Nam Joo Hyuk explained that he draws from personal pain to deliver authentic performances.
7. Oh Ah Rin
Oh Ah Rin (instagram.com/eileenoharin)Oh Ah Rin, in a 2019 interview, expressed her love for acting, particularly emotional scenes that allow her to cry. Drawing from real-life experiences, like the sadness of leaving behind a forgotten snowman, she immerses herself in her character’s emotions.
Each Korean artist has their unique approach to expressing emotions on screen. These artists, however, find comfort in leveraging their imagination for crying scenes, resulting in smooth and compelling performances.
