If you are a good actress and play a character people don't like, you may get some personal negative feedback. That's what happened to Shin Se Kyung when she played Seo Mi Do in "When A Man Loves." Working so hard to create an authentic although despicable character, despite personal attacks, is exactly what makes her co-star Song Seung Hoon so proud of her.
Before Shin Se Kyung began filming "When A Man Loves," she knew her character would make some enemies and that's exactly what happened. Not only did Seo Mi Do make enemies in the drama for two-timing Han Tae Sang, played by Song, but the actress was also the target of negative comments.
In the drama, Han Tae Sang starts out as a cold-hearted loan shark but changes his ways because of his love for Seo Mi Do. He gets her a job, helps her family and will do anything to marry her. But then she two times him with Lee Jae Hee, played by Yeon Woo Jin.
In real life none of them are actually dating. The co-stars all like and support each other.
"I am proud of Shin Se Kyung for doing her best even though she heard things that upset her," said Song.
According to Song, the actress was exhausted by the demands of the drama and then had to deal with all the criticism.
"I know its part of acting in a drama but that kind of negativity can drain you," said Song. "However, Shin Se Kyung acted as if she didn't care. I don't know how she felt on the inside but she would go around saying that she was fine. I am proud of her."
Despite viewer criticism the actress was acting the part exactly the way she was expected to.
"She kept it in her heart that she never liked Han Tae Sang from the beginning to the end," said Song. "She didn't see it as two-timing. The character was sure she loved Jae Hee."
Netizens were less upset about the fact that she liked Jae Hee than that she was dishonest about her feelings. Many of them did not care for the ungrateful Jae Hee either, as Han Tae Sang also repeatedly helped him. But Song, as much a gentleman about the characters as Han was in the drama, also stood up for Yeon Woo Jin.
"I know viewers said things like, 'How could he betray the man who was a brother to him and who helped him?' I don't know if I could have continued to act a part like that but Woo Jin and Se Kyung both did it so well," said Song. "They never expressed any discomfort."
Shin Se Kyung also had something to say about the end of the drama. She chose not to focus on the negative.
"I feel much lighter, but I also feel quite sad," she said of leaving her character behind. "I had such a wonderful time in this drama and it will remain as one of the most special memories of my life."
Hopefully viewers will one day forgive her for her polarizing portrayal of Seo Mi Do.
