Actress Cho Yeo Jeong has opened up about the uncertainty she experienced during her younger years, admitting that she once questioned whether she could build her own identity as an actress alongside famous stars such as Song Hye Kyo and Jun Ji Hyun.
On November 5, the YouTube channel PDC by PDC released a video featuring Cho Yeo Jeong, who reflected on her acting career and the challenges she faced in her 20s.
During the conversation, producer Park Hye Ryung mentioned the many successful Korean actresses born around the early 1980s.
Cho Yeo Jeong agreed, naming several actresses from her generation.
"There are so many around me, including Jun Ji Hyun, Song Hye Kyo, Han Ji Min, Gong Hyo Jin, Bae Doona, and Im Soo Jung. They're all outstanding leading actresses," she said.
She also praised their acting abilities, noting that her generation includes many talented actors who have established themselves in the industry.
However, Cho Yeo Jeong admitted that being surrounded by so many successful performers once made her feel uncertain about her own future.
"Even in my 20s, I was scared and wondered, 'Would I be able to establish my own presence as an actress among all these amazing people?'" she recalled.
She explained that watching other actresses develop their own identities made her question what she could offer.
"There were so many good actors. Everyone was building their own space with their unique charm, and I kept wondering, 'What can I do?'"
According to Cho Yeo Jeong, those thoughts left her feeling anxious and unsure about the direction of her career.
When Park Hye Ryung asked whether she considered the other actresses her competitors, Cho Yeo Jeong shared a different perspective.
"Competition is meaningless. For there to be competition, people would have to be the same," she explained.
She emphasized that every actor has different strengths and qualities, making direct comparisons unnecessary.
"Actors all have their own unique charm, and each of them is good at acting in a different way. I think that's something wonderful for audiences because they get to enjoy that variety," she said.
Rather than seeing actresses of her generation as rivals, Cho Yeo Jeong expressed admiration for their achievements.
"I really think the actresses of my generation are amazing," she added.
Looking back on her career, Cho Yeo Jeong also admitted that she felt her professional momentum came later than expected.
"I think my career really started gaining momentum quite late. I began focusing on films in my 30s, so I spent a lot of my 20s wondering what I should do," she shared.
Her reflections offered a look at the doubts she experienced before finding her own direction in the entertainment industry.
Despite once questioning whether she could stand out among prominent actresses like Song Hye Kyo and Jun Ji Hyun, Cho Yeo Jeong now believes that each performer has something unique to offer, making comparisons and competition less meaningful.
