• 'Pyramid Game' actress Jang Da Ah doesn't feel “overshadowed” by sister Jang Wonyoung's fame

    'Pyramid Game' actress Jang Da Ah recently shared her heartfelt thoughts about her acting career, which has often been overshadowed by her sister, 'IVE Jang Wonyoung's fame.

    On March 28, Jang Da Ah sat down for an interview. She's been making waves for her role as Baek Ha Rin in the TV series 'Pyramid Game', and the interview took place at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

    Jang Da Ah's character, Baek Ha Rin, is a student who is adored for her kind and dignified demeanor, but she harbors a hidden dark side.

    She's also the main orchestrator of the Pyramid Game, a game that designates a social outcast. Jang Da Ah's portrayal of Baek Ha Rin was so convincing that it felt like she had stepped right out of the original webtoon, showcasing her solid acting skills.

    Even before her debut, Jang Da Ah attracted attention as 'Jang Wonyoung's older sister', which led to divided public opinion about her acting debut.

    Despite this, Jang Da Ah remained focused on her character, Baek Ha Rin, and exceeded expectations with her acting prowess, earning her daily praise.

    Reflecting on the positive feedback she received after the show aired, Jang Da Ah said, "I was grateful, but I also recognized my shortcomings. I thought about how to improve and approach my role in a better way." She added, "I concentrated on portraying Baek Ha Rin's dualistic nature. I believe anyone who dislikes Ha Rin more than anyone else would react strongly."

    Jang Da Ah had a dream of becoming an actress since middle school and started acting in university. She said, "I auditioned several times and was fortunate to land a role that I found appealing."

    Jang Da Ah also mentioned that her younger sister Jang Wonyoung's early debut as an idol did not influence her decision to pursue acting. "I had a clear dream of acting, and because I achieved that dream, I didn't let any external factors affect me."

    She also expressed her initial desire to keep her relationship with Jang Wonyoung a secret. Jang Da Ah said, "That fact was revealed even before my debut. I accepted it as something that would naturally follow me, regardless of my will. I believe that as I continue to act in the future, that label will naturally fade as I establish myself as an actress." Jang Da Ah also expressed her wish for both her and her sister Jang Wonyoung to excel in their respective fields.

    When asked about her striking resemblance to Jang Wonyoung, Jang Da Ah said, "I personally never thought we looked alike." She added, "When it was revealed that we were sisters, people started saying we looked alike, so I wondered, 'Do people who see us for the first time think we look alike?'"

    Despite the pressure of playing the lead role, a villain, and dealing with the label of being Jang Wonyoung's sister, Jang Da Ah remained focused on her performance.

    She said, "While portraying the character, I was worried that I might fall short or that the viewers might not be satisfied. Since it was my first acting role, I wanted to meet the standards I set for myself, and my desire to achieve this was strong, so I didn't pay much attention to other factors."

    Jang Da Ah confessed, "In my next role, I want to portray a character that is lively and quirky, without causing harm to others, although it can't be said to be comfortable."

    Meanwhile, 'Pyramid Game' is a gripping drama about a brutal survival game at Baekyeon Girls' High School where students are divided into perpetrators, victims, and bystanders, and are gradually drawn into violence by selecting an outcast through a secret ballot once a month. The show is based on a webtoon of the same name by author Dalkonyang.

    Source[1]

  • Is Jisoo’s Acting the Main Problem in "Newtopia"? - Here's Why Fans Are Worried About the New Zombie Series

    The new OTT series Newtopia has faced mixed reactions, with BLACKPINK’s Jisoo's acting and a slow storyline making viewers question if the show can survive.

    Released on the 7th, Newtopia on Coupang Play promised to offer something fresh in the K-zombie genre. The drama follows an unlikely couple, Lee Jae-yoon (played by Park Jung Min), a late-blooming soldier, and his girlfriend Kang Young-joo (Jisoo), as they fight to survive in a zombie-infested Seoul.

    The mix of zombies and romantic comedy sounded like an interesting twist, but the show hasn’t exactly hit the mark.

    Jisoo’s second lead role after Snowdrop in 2021 was highly anticipated. But many fans and critics have been concerned about her acting, especially after she received some backlash for her unclear pronunciation and awkward expressions in her previous project.

    Director Yoon Sung-hyun, aware of the concerns, said at the press preview, “Since Jisoo hadn’t acted for a long time after her last project, I was also initially worried, thinking, ‘Will she be okay?’ But Jisoo dedicated herself, doing script readings four days a week. She worked hard, and as a result, I had no doubts or difficulties. By episode 8, you'll feel that only Jisoo could have portrayed Young-joo. She did an amazing job.”

    Despite his words of praise, Jisoo’s performance still left fans worried. While she showed some improvement, her portrayal of Young-joo seemed inconsistent, lacking the calmness expected from the character. However, her "girl crush" image, with her background as a "campus goddess," did add some intrigue to her role.

    The main issue, however, wasn’t just Jisoo's acting. Newtopia also struggled with its pacing. While other recent hits like Trauma Center or Trigger grab attention right from the start, Newtopia spent too much time in the first episode on Jae-yoon’s military life and Young-joo’s personal struggles, making it feel like a waste of time. The show failed to showcase the humor and zombie elements it promised, leaving many viewers unimpressed.

    On top of that, some characters came off as annoying, like Jae-yoon’s colleague, Line Ho (Im Seong Jae), and the "unlikable" senior character Seojin-wook (played by Kang Young Seok). Even Park Jung-min didn’t do much to help the show move along, making the 57-minute episode feel even longer.

    Thankfully, the show picked up pace in episode 2, finally diving into the zombie chaos. But will that be enough to save Newtopia? With the first episode still fresh in fans’ minds, the jury’s still out on whether this K-zombie drama can find its footing and deliver the thrills viewers are hoping for.

    The remaining six episodes of Newtopia will air every Friday at 8 PM, with one episode released per week. Stay tuned to see if the series can bounce back!

    Source (1)