Actress Jun Ji-hyun opened up about feeling “wronged” regarding her unwavering beauty that shone through in the movie ‘Gunche’.
During an interview on the 26th at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, to celebrate the release of ‘Gunche’, Jun Ji-hyun addressed viewers’ comments that her constant beauty in the film felt unrealistic given the situation, saying, “There is a part of me that feels a bit wronged.”
Jun Ji-hyun explained, “I stayed true to the scene and didn’t do anything special. However, some people see me as excessively pretty. They ask how I can look like that just wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. I literally just wore a white T-shirt and jeans, so why… I really did nothing,” before adding jokingly, “I’m just grateful that you see me that way.”
In the film, Jun Ji-hyun plays bioengineering professor Kwon Se-jung. As an infection breaks out in a building and zombies swarm, people are thrown into chaos. Amidst this, Kwon Se-jung leads a group of survivors while maintaining her stunning beauty. This is the context behind the audience’s comments regarding the lack of realism.
Seeming mindful of the audience’s reaction, she added, “It’s quite interesting that these comments are especially frequent for ‘Gunche’. I don’t feel pressured by them. In fact, the more such comments, the better. Isn’t that better than being called ugly? However, I want to emphasize that no one in this movie made a conscious effort or intention to look as pretty as you might think.”
Even in her 40s, Jun Ji-hyun maintains her beauty and figure through exceptional self-care. Citing exercise as her secret, she shared, “I do exercise every day. I don’t think physical strength needs to decline just because you get older. I haven’t specifically measured my biological age, but I believe the body can improve with effort. Time passes and aging is inevitable, but I believe that with effort, that time can approach more slowly.”
Making her return to the big screen after 11 years with ‘Gunche’, Jun Ji-hyun is tasting the sweetness of success. ‘Gunche’ tells the story of survivors trapped in a building locked down due to a mysterious infection, facing off against infected beings that have evolved in unpredictable ways. The film surpassed 2 million viewers nationwide just five days after its release.
