'Aema' Lee So-yi, Bringing Depth and Vitality to the Character

The actor responsible for the lingering impact of 'Aema' was undoubtedly Lee So-yi.

As the Netflix series 'Aema', released on the 22nd of last month, continues to gain popularity, the presence of Lee So-yi, who made an impact as Hwang Mi-na in the show, is still being discussed.

'Aema' depicts the story of top star Hee-ran (Lee Ha-nee) bravely confronting the dark realities hidden behind the glamorous spotlight during the birth of erotic films that swept Korea in the 1980s, along with rookie actress Joo-ae (Bang Hyo-rin). Actor Lee So-yi played the role of Hwang Mi-na, a lover who uses the representative of Shinsung Film Company, Gu Jung-ho (Jin Sun-kyu), to achieve her dream of becoming an actress.

The Mi-na portrayed by Lee So-yi was striking from her first appearance. With her stunning visuals and energy that left Gu Jung-ho speechless, she captured attention and provided both tension and fun with her free-spiritedness and bouncy charm, expressing emotions as they are. Above all, it gradually became clear that all of Mi-na's actions stemmed from a desperate longing to be an actress, and as Mi-na's narrative was finally completed, the depth of the character distinctly changed. It is said that because the character Mi-na existed, the anger towards society at that time could grow even stronger, and Hee-ran's courage could shine. Thus, Mi-na was the most realistic character in the era of 'Aema' and a character that penetrated the theme of 'Aema'.

Lee So-yi portrayed this Mi-na in a more three-dimensional way, evoking admiration in every scene she appeared in. Especially, because she accurately recognized the reality she was in, she self-deprecatingly expressed Mi-na's pitiful state, who could not even think of other options, adding strength to the message that 'Aema' wanted to convey. In a scene created with actor Lee Seong-wook, who played the role of Manager Choi, Mi-na's line, "With no talent and terrible luck, yet having dreams, I know my place, so I'm trying hard," delivered with a gaze full of emptiness, particularly evoked extreme bitterness and regret, making it one of the memorable scenes of 'Aema'. Lee So-yi's passionate performance, which brought vitality to the character with such detailed acting, left a profound impact on 'Aema'.

In the end, Lee So-yi created a strong presence that will be remembered the longest in the hearts of viewers. With her captivating performance, expectations for her future endeavors have risen, and Lee So-yi's activities will continue in various works.