Cover Story: 'Sweet Home' Star Go Minsi is Making Strides
South Korean actress Go Minsi is never afraid to be pushed out of her comfort zone — since mesmerising moviegoers in the recently released Smugglers, she’s set to showcase a winning performance in the eagerly anticipated second season of Sweet Home.
If there’s one actress that K-drama fanatics are talking incessantly about these months, it’s undoubtedly Go Minsi. Smugglers, the recently released South Korean crime film that she stars in, not only topped the South Korean box office for two weeks, it surpassed four million admissions in just 17 days. Go is likely to finish the year on a high — one of the most anticipated K-dramas on Netflix this year, Sweet Home season two, which features the actress in a main role alongside Song Kang, Park Gyu-young and Lee Jinuk, will likely be out in December.
To say that Go put her all into the project is no understatement. She tells L’OFFICIEL SINGAPORE: “Physically and mentally, it felt like running a marathon of trials and tribulations. Every moment was pushing me out of my comfort zone and pushing me to my limits. Reflecting on things after working on another project, I realised that I had learnt and grown a lot through the Sweet Home projects.”
Hi Minsi! We met briefly in Paris recently, and you shared with us then that it was your first time attending Paris Fashion Week. We saw on Instagram that it was an eventful time for you — you also managed to catch up with Blackpink Jisoo. How was your Paris Fashion Week experience?
Yes, it was my first visit to Paris, and my first time attending a fashion show. In addition, it was Gabriela Hearst’s farewell stage for Chloé, which made it more meaningful because I respect and admire Chloé’s philosophy and attitude regarding the future, the environment, and this planet, and I had just recently participated in a Gabriela Hearst brand photoshoot. The Seine, glittering in its beauty, the festival nature of the show, and meeting so many artists and international colleagues, familiar Korean magazine journalists, and of course the L’OFFICIEL SINGAPORE team added to the unforgettable experience in Paris. As for Jisoo, she’s a good friend who I respect and admire as an idol and actor representing South Korea. Because our schedules in Paris aligned, we had agreed to meet up in advance. We ate delicious food and talked the night away — it was a dreamy night.
One of the projects you’ve been busy with this year is the movie Smugglers, which did very well at the South Korean box office, attracting over four million moviegoers in 17 days. Were you surprised by the reaction, and why do you think the film appealed to so many?
It was very surprising. I grew a lot as an actor working on Smugglers, and that was enough for me. The overwhelming love and support we got from the audience was a blessing. With this in mind, I tried to do as much fan service as I could to the supporters of Smugglers. I would venture to say that the reasons for the success of Smugglers are its interesting setting of South Korea in the 1970s, director Ryoo Seung-wan’s refreshing and dazzling action presentation, the cast of real and charming characters, exciting 1970s music, and of course, the setting of the ocean. I think that with these factors in play, audiences of all genders and ages were able to really enjoy this film this summer.
Season two of television series Sweet Home will be out soon. Is there anything that you can share with us about it, and are you excited for it to come out?
I’m excited and a bit nervous. Compared to season one, there are new dynamic characters on a larger scale. Monsters, which are the pinnacle of Sweet Home, have also been upgraded to a whole new level.
You’ve been acting for about seven years so far. What are the biggest physical and mental challenges that you have overcome so far?
Sweet Home 2 and 3 last year — physically and mentally, it felt like running a marathon of trials and tribulations. Every moment was pushing me out of my comfort zone and pushing me to my limits. Looking back, all of it did feel like a metaphor. Ref lecting on things after working on another project, I realised that I had learnt and grown a lot through the Sweet Home projects.
You’ve been booked and busy this year with many work projects. What are some of the simple everyday things that make you the happiest?
The unequivocal answer is my fans and our team’s staff members. I’m the happiest when I think about them recently — they’re my anchors and pillars. Even though they must have been so tired from the hectic filming schedule and frequent travels abroad, their constant smiles and enjoyment of their job and the moments really motivate me to strive for better. And it goes without saying that my fans, with their never-ending love and support, fuel me as well, because I want to showcase my acting and make sure I’m not lacking in my performance to them. Thank you for making me happy!
It’s known that you’ve become close friends with many of the costars that you’ve worked with. What do you think it is that allows you to get along well and easily with those you work with?
I think I’ve been blessed with a really strong support system and I’m surrounded by good company wherever I go. I’m filled with positive energy whenever I’m with such good company, and I’m thankful just being next to them and absorbing and learning.
Is there a certain type of role that you would like to challenge yourself with next?
Melodrama! Romance!
As the year is coming to an end, how will you be spending November and December?
I think I’ll be quite busy with future projects.
Have you already set goals for 2024?
My goal is simply to be healthy and I hope for 2024 to be a shining and bright new year!
Photography JI+DOH
Styling LEE JUNG JU
Hair HANBYEOL
Makeup OH YOON HEE
Photography team TETRIS
Styling assistant PARK SEIN
Makeup assistant KIM SUN
Production manager KIM YOU HAH
