By Woo Jae-yeon
Actress Yeom Hye-ran discusses her poignant role in the drama film “My Name,” highlighting a particularly challenging and memorable scene. She describes a powerful moment where her character, Jung-soon, moves through a barley field at sunset, enveloped in profound sorrow as the barley sways gently. Yeom considers this emotionally complex sequence “the highlight” of the film. In a recent Seoul interview, she revealed, “It was a very difficult scene, so complex and multilayered, but the bottom line was I wanted to talk about the future.” Emphasizing the scene’s forward-looking message, she added, “I thought the scene shouldn’t just be sad, but should give a sense of direction for what comes next.” This pivotal scene demanded intense discussion and collaboration with director Chung Ji-young, taking extensive time to film. To embody the layered emotions, Yeom quietly spoke to herself on set, whispering phrases like, “I am sorry” to victims, “I wish you rest in peace,” and “I remember you.” Her aim was to convey a message of healing and progress: “I wanted the message to be not about blaming someone but pointing the way forward.”
In the evocative mystery drama “My Name,” Yeom Hye-ran takes on the lead role of Jung-soon, a woman with no memory of her life before the age of eight. The film’s narrative is powerfully set against the harrowing backdrop of the 1948 Jeju April 3 uprising, one of Korea’s bloodiest state massacres during an era of intense ideological conflict. Yeom aimed to portray Jung-soon as an “ordinary woman and mother who forges ahead through life.” She elaborates, “The memory loss is not something critical enough to stop her from living her life fully. She faces the painful history head-on, and that resembles the Korean people,” underscoring the character’s resilience and connection to national experience.
The acclaimed drama “My Name” recently garnered international recognition, being invited to the Forum section of the Berlin International Film Festival. Yeom Hye-ran made her first visit to Berlin for the festival in February, finding the city’s atmosphere deeply impactful. She perceived Berlin as a place of “remembrance,” drawing parallels between the city’s historical weight and the film’s themes. “I thought the movie and the city have something in common, as both carry painful memories,” she noted. The global audience’s reception in Berlin confirmed the film’s universal resonance, with viewers demonstrating a “deep connection to the film’s narrative, as if it were their own.” This experience reinforced Yeom’s belief in the film’s profound universal value, transcending cultural boundaries.
Since her theatrical debut in 2000, Yeom Hye-ran has cultivated an extensive and versatile acting career across various platforms. Her silver screen journey began with a supporting role in Bong Joon-ho’s iconic 2003 film “Memories of Murder.” She later secured a prominent role as A-ra in Park Chan-wook’s 2025 thriller “No Other Choice.” On television, Yeom has left a strong impression with memorable performances in hit series such as tvN’s “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” and Netflix originals like “The Glory” and “When Life Gives You Tangerines.” Despite her widespread recognition and current stardom, Yeom expresses genuine humility. “I still find it surprising and unbelievable,” she shared, adding, “It still feels new and strange to be where I never imagined I would be.” Committed to maintaining her emotional equilibrium, she approaches both praise and criticism with a balanced perspective, stating, “I always try to stay neutral and emotionally balanced,” avoiding being swayed by external factors.
