Cho Yeo-jeong admits feeling intimidated by top actresses like Song Hye-kyo

Actress Cho Yeo-jeong revealed on the YouTube channel PDC on the 5th that she felt anxious and overwhelmed while working alongside formidable peers such as Jun Ji-hyun and Han Ji-min. Having started filming movies around age 30, she shared how she navigated career uncertainty in her 20s by simply continuing to walk her own path.

Actress Cho Yeo-jeong has candidly shared the feelings of anxiety and intimidation she felt while working alongside top-tier contemporary actresses such as Song Hye-kyo, Jun Ji-hyun, and Han Ji-min. Behind the glamorous life of an actress, there were times when she constantly doubted whether she could maintain a presence as a performer. Her confession of feeling anxious and overwhelmed while admiring the exceptional talent and charm of her colleagues reveals a human side of Cho, who has endured a long career in acting.

On the 5th, a video titled "Living as an actress, as revealed by Cho Yeo-jeong... it was deeper than expected (feat. Director Lee Chang-dong)" was released on the YouTube channel PDC by PDC. During the appearance, Cho looked back on her time as an actress, sharing the words she would want to say to her younger self in her 20s and the struggles she faced as a performer.

When asked what the Cho Yeo-jeong of her 40s would say to the Cho Yeo-jeong of her 20s, she unexpectedly replied that she does not want to offer excessive praise. "I don't want to give too much praise. I want to tell her, 'You endured well. I didn't stop walking. Even if it was just one step a day, I walked,'" she said. Rather than being evaluated for great achievements, she expressed a desire to acknowledge the time spent walking her own path without giving up.

The names of the contemporary actresses she mentioned were illustrious. They included Jun Ji-hyun, Song Hye-kyo, Han Ji-min, Gong Hyo-jin, Bae Doona, and Im Su-jeong—actresses who have each built their own unique cinematic worlds and personalities. Cho did not hide her respect for her colleagues, stating, "They are all leading actresses and truly formidable. They are all such good actors."

However, being active in the same era as such outstanding actresses was not always a source of pride. "I wondered if I could even have a presence as an actress among these wonderful people. That was the scariest part. Because there are so many good actors, I felt anxious, scared, and overwhelmed," Cho confessed. She admitted that her anxiety about the future grew whenever she felt the high level of those around her while trying to prove her own capabilities.

Notably, Cho's honest account drew attention because she did not view her fellow actresses solely as competitors. "The wonderful thing is that each actor's charm was different. Their acting was also good in different ways. Rather than competition, isn't it true that everyone's charm is different anyway? Competition is meaningless," she said, adding, "I think the actors of my age are amazing." She has come to accept that every actor possesses a unique charm and way of expression, rather than believing one must defeat others to survive.

She also reflected honestly on when her career truly began to bloom. "I think my career started to bloom in earnest a little late. I started filming movies around the age of 30. So, I think I worried a lot in my 20s about what to do next," she explained. Unlike actors who established a firm position early on, she faced deep concerns regarding her career path and future during a time when she could not know when her path would open.

Cho's confession contains the reality of an actor that cannot be explained by a glamorous career alone. Watching the success of colleagues living in the same era while doubting her own potential, and yet moving forward one step at a time each day, demonstrates the patience and uncertainty required by the profession of acting. From overcoming the pressure of competition to acknowledging individual charms, the time Cho has passed and the reflections she has gained provide a quiet resonance to viewers.

Read the original (Korean)