Moon Ga-young on her Baeksang win: "I want to repay Koo Kyo Hwan's faith"

Actress Moon Ga-young has opened up about the quiet support of fellow actor Koo Kyo Hwan, which bolstered her joy after winning Best Actress in the film category at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards. Expressing her sincere gratitude, she noted that the unwavering trust of her colleague made her a stronger actor, adding, "I want to repay that kindness twofold for a long time to come."

Moon recently graced the cover of the August issue of ELLE Brilliant, featuring a pictorial and interview in collaboration with the Italian high jewelry brand Damiani.

The pictorial centered on the 'Arte Maestra' high jewelry collection, inspired by Renaissance art, capturing Moon's signature restrained elegance and intellectual aura to create visuals akin to fine art.

The interview delved into various topics, including acting, art, literature, love, and her personal philosophy as a performer.

Moon, a long-time admirer of the works of surrealist painter René Magritte, remarked, "Small tastes eventually made me who I am today."

"Even the same work shows a completely different face when you encounter it again after time has passed," she said, revealing that she uses the blank pages of her reading notes to record new emotions felt when revisiting books.

This habit of recording is deeply connected to her approach to acting.

Recalling how a book gifted to her while preparing for the drama 'The Interest of Love' helped her understand her character, she noted, "I tend to look at things for a long time."

"As I observed others for a long time, at some point, I began to observe myself," she said candidly. "I feel like I have become someone who handles myself better than anyone else now."

She also expressed a deep affection for her craft. "I still love that there is no right answer in acting," Moon said. "The most attractive part of being an actor is that I can live hundreds of lives through this profession."

Sharing her philosophy on character study, she added, "Humans are inherently contradictory and inconsistent. I think such complex aspects are actually more realistic."

Her reflections on love were equally profound. While she once believed love explained the world, she noted, "Looking back, the emotion I have held onto longer was parting." She concluded, "Love is ultimately an emotion that embraces even parting."

When asked how she defines herself—given her roles as an actor, writer, and avid reader—she replied, "A person who knows nothing." "I want to keep learning and keep being curious. That is why I read books, meet people, and seek out new works," she explained.

The conversation turned to her recent milestone at the Baeksang Arts Awards. Moon reached a new turning point in her career by winning Best Actress in the film category for the film 'If Only Us.'

She revealed that Koo Kyo Hwan, her co-star in the project, was the person who believed in her victory more than anyone else.

"Koo Kyo Hwan supported me for a long time, saying, 'You will definitely win Best Actress with this work,'" Moon recalled.

"I realized once again how much strength it provides when someone believes in and supports you for a long time. I want to remember that kindness and definitely repay it twofold someday," she said sincerely.

Her confession—that a colleague's belief in her potential stood behind the glamorous spotlight—resonated deeply. In an industry defined by fierce competition, her story highlights how mutual trust and support serve as a vital driving force for an actor's growth.

By constantly expanding her horizons through acting, reading, and art, Moon Ga-young once again proved her presence, revealing a mature inner self and a deepened perspective that transcends her role as an actress.