[Sportschosun Lee Ji-hyun] Actress Kang Mi-na, formerly of I.O.I, opened up about the behind-the-scenes story of her appearance in the Netflix drama "If Wishes Could Kill," sharing candid details from the audition process to filming anecdotes.
In a YouTube video released on the 23rd on "Jo Hyun-ah's Ordinary Thursday Night," Kang Mi-na appeared as a guest and talked about her recent work and what she has been up to.
That day, Jo Hyun-ah expressed her affection for the series, saying, "I don't really watch TV, but once I put on 'If Wishes Could Kill,' I watched it all the way to the end." She then mentioned the character Sena, played by Kang Mi-na, and said, "She was so different. In the drama, she had this dark and sharp vibe, but today she's so fresh."
Kang Mi-na said the audience reaction was also especially intense because of her powerful character in the drama. When Jo Hyun-ah joked, "A lot of people must have been disappointed in you. They said you were rude," Kang Mi-na laughed and agreed.
Kang Mi-na also admitted that the casting process for "If Wishes Could Kill" was not smooth. "I met the director twice," she said. "At the first reading, I was much worse than I expected. I was so disappointed I was biting my lip."
"But the director gave me another chance and said, 'Shall we set another date and see you once more?'" she recalled. "I was so grateful. I auditioned again, and after that the director liked me, so I ended up joining the project."
Kang Mi-na also drew attention when she revealed that she made special preparations for the club scene in the drama. "I debuted when I was young, so I had never actually been to a club," she said. "I didn't know what the atmosphere was like, so filming felt intimidating."
"When we were shooting the club scene, I was so embarrassed that I put a little whiskey in a tumbler and drank it," she said honestly. "I filmed it with a bit of alcohol helping me out."
After hearing that, Jo Hyun-ah burst out laughing and said, "How could it feel like a club with all the staff standing right in front of you?" Kang Mi-na replied, "Still, I think I pulled off the feeling of a runaway troublemaker sneaking out at dawn to have some fun."
She also mentioned lingering effects from the character. Kang Mi-na said, "I think I may have become a little sharper after filming," and Jo Hyun-ah joked, "It seems like a bit of Sena is still left in you."
Kang Mi-na explained, "I've heard actors need time to fully step out of a character even after a project ends." She added, "I think I'm still going through that process."
Meanwhile, Kang Mi-na also previewed her upcoming appearance in tvN's new drama "See You at Work Tomorrow!," which is scheduled to air in the second half of this year. She raised expectations for the next project, saying she plays a character who has lived a smooth life on an elite track but ends up facing an unexpected event.
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