Lee Hwi Hyang looked back on one of the most memorable behind-the-scenes stories from the classic K-drama Stairway to Heaven, recalling the intense slap scene she filmed with a young Park Shin Hye.
During an appearance on Song Seung Hwan’s Wonderful Life on September 29, Lee Hwi Hyang discussed her villain role in the SBS drama, which aired from 2003 to 2004.
She described the character as one of the harshest villains she had played at the time.
When host Song Seung Hwan mentioned how intense the slap scene looked, Lee Hwi Hyang recalled Park Shin Hye’s condition after filming.
“After we finished, her face was completely red,” she said. “All I could do was hug her and tell her I was sorry.”
Park Shin Hye has previously shared her own memory of the same scene on JTBC’s Knowing Bros. She explained that although the script originally called for only four slaps, the scene had to be filmed repeatedly from different camera angles.
“I really got hit. I think it was more than 30 times,” Park Shin Hye said at the time.
She added that she did not remember feeling particularly upset during filming and instead viewed the experience positively, while also noting that Lee Hwi Hyang later said it was one of the scenes she felt most sorry about.
Lee Hwi Hyang also reflected on how Stairway to Heaven led to her being cast in many more villain roles. After playing numerous similar characters, she said there was a point when she no longer felt happy acting in those roles and considered stepping away from them.
