After a decade-long absence from historical projects, Lim Ji-yeon made powerful comeback with The Tale of Lady Ok.
Her last ventures in the genre, The Treacherous (2015) and The Royal Gambler (2016), left her feeling unprepared and inexperienced.
Reflecting on her past, she admitted, “At that time, I was young and inexperienced, so I had many shortcomings. I had no idea how tough historical dramas would be, and I had a bias against them.”
However, reading the script for The Tale of Lady Ok changed her perspective. “I realized I had been too afraid to try things outside my comfort zone. I felt ashamed of myself for not challenging myself earlier. So I decided to take on this challenge with a big heart, and that’s why I have so much affection for this project. I feel like I’ve overcome my trauma and returned to my roots.”
The Pressure and Responsibility of Leading a Historical Drama
Taking on the lead role in a historical drama was no small feat for Lim Ji-yeon.
She shared, “I lacked confidence in myself, especially as this was my first time carrying a historical drama, and the entire cast put in so much energy. I had to manage both my mental and physical strength to avoid burning out due to the amount of screen time.” Despite the pressure, she expressed her deep appreciation for her character, saying, “But above all, I loved my role.”
In The Tale of Lady Ok, Lim Ji-yeon plays Ok Tae-young, a woman whose identity, status, and marriage are all built on deception. She partners with Cheon Seung-hwi (played by Choo Young-woo), who risks his life to protect her. Born as a slave named Gu-deok, Ok Tae-young embarks on a journey of survival and reinvention.
Impact of Her Character and Audience Reception
Lim Ji-yeon gained immense recognition for her performance in The Glory, where she was often called by her character’s name, Park Yeon-jin. Now, with The Tale of Lady Ok, fans have begun calling her Gu-deok or Tae-young.
She shared, “When I go to restaurants, older people tell me they like me. I used to be called Yeon-jin, but now it’s Gu-deok and Tae-young. ‘Lim Ji-yeon’ is rarely mentioned.”
She sees this as a sign of success, stating, “I’m happy to be called by the name of my character in the work. It’s a happy thing for an actor to be addressed by the character’s name. I hope they keep calling me these names for a long time.”
Chemistry With Co-Stars and Support System
Lim Ji-yeon’s romantic scenes with Choo Young-woo in The Tale of Lady Ok have captivated audiences. Praising his performance, she commented, “It wasn’t difficult to distinguish between the two roles he played. I just thought of him as a different person. He did an excellent job, and it was great how he subtly differentiated the characters without overdoing it.”
Beyond professional admiration, Lim Ji-yeon has also found personal support during this project.
Her boyfriend, actor Lee Do-hyun, has been a dedicated viewer of the drama. “Lee Do-hyun watches The Tale of Lady Ok diligently, and his feedback has been consistent. He’s always cheering me on. He knows how much love and effort I’ve put into this project, and we both support and rely on each other.”
Additionally, her co-star from The Glory, Cha Joo-young, has embarked on her own historical drama journey in The Queen Who Crowns. Lim Ji-yeon recalled, “The timing was really similar when we were choosing our projects. So we shared a lot during that process. When The Queen Who Crowns first aired, I was nervous. But she did great, and I received a lot of positive energy from her. We continue to share our worries and help each other.”
Beyond acting, Lim Ji-yeon is set to appear in the tvN variety show Fresh Off the Sea 2 this year.
Excited about the opportunity, she shared, “I’ve been a fan of Fresh Off the Sea and enjoyed watching it. I expect the chemistry in season 2 will be even more fun. We’ve all become close. We haven’t filmed yet, but I think we’ll be starting soon.”
With her powerful performance in The Tale of Lady Ok, Lim Ji-yeon has proven that stepping out of one’s comfort zone can lead to remarkable achievements.
