Actress Kang Mina shared some intriguing stories while recalling her intense first encounter with ‘Kirigo’.
The Netflix series ‘Kirigo’, released last month, is creating quite a buzz. It is currently sparking a global horror syndrome, ranking #1 in the Global TOP 10 Non-English Shows in its second week of release.
‘Kirigo’ follows high school students who struggle to escape curses linked to a wish-granting app. As Netflix’s first YA (Young Adult) horror title, it is being praised for bringing fresh energy through its combination of rookie directors and actors.
Kang Mina solidified her position as an actress by delivering a powerful performance as Nari. To find out how she prepared for the role, we met her at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Kang Mina admitted she still can’t quite believe the positive response, though she has been receiving many messages. When asked about memorable reactions, she smiled and said, “An international fan told me that while my acting made me seem really mean, they loved the character. Also, my father, who usually can’t handle horror, contacted me at 4 AM saying he found it scary yet exciting and that my acting has improved a lot.”
Regarding the praise for her acting, she shared, “Since I’m human, I love compliments, so I’ve been keeping an eye on the reactions. On the other hand, it gives me the will to become a more solid actress, and that becomes my driving force. I’m always grateful.”
On what makes ‘Kirigo’ popular, Kang Mina noted, “I think the fact that rookie actors approached the roles with a fresh feeling appealed to viewers. I also think people enjoyed the high level of intensity.”
So, how did Kang Mina come to be part of this project? She shared a curious episode about the process. “When I first met the director, I cut my hand on a piece of paper and bled a lot. While heading back in the car with a bandage on, I wondered if it was possible to bleed that much and worried if things wouldn’t work out. Looking back, I think it was a way of warding off bad luck,” she said.
Reflecting on the production process, she described her first impression of ‘Kirigo’: “When I read the script, I didn’t realize how intense the work would be, but seeing it on screen, I thought it was strong. I also found the curse space in Part 3 very interesting. I usually love games, so the fantasy elements within the curse space were intriguing and attractive.”
The character Nari, played by Kang Mina, sees her relationships with friends crumble before turning dark and creating chilling moments. Regarding her preparation, she recalled, “As Nari, I tried to be fierce and not lose in power struggles. There was slang in the script, and I worked persistently to deliver it in a flavorful way.”
When told her delivery of the slang was impressive, she shyly revealed a side completely opposite to Nari: “I received a lot of help from seniors who gave me acting advice. I also referenced movies and tried to speak out boldly. I practiced a lot so that I wouldn’t turn red like a carrot while delivering those lines.”
You can now catch ‘Kirigo’, where Kang Mina captures attention with her chilling performance, on Netflix.
