Kim Ji-won during the press conference for the Manila stop of her 'Be My One' fan meeting, August 3, 2024. Photos courtesy of PULP Live World and Joel H. GarciaMANILA — While it is common for actors to aspire for personal acclaim, South Korean star Kim Ji-won, who recently starred in the megahit romance series "Queen of Tears," finds fulfillment in a different kind of recognition.

“It’s very fulfilling that a lot of the fans remember the name of the characters that I played on my previous dramas,”  Ji-won said via an interpreter in a press conference for her recent “Be My One” fan meeting in Manila when asked about her biggest achievement.

“It makes me realize that rather than just being seen as Kim Ji-won, they appreciate the different roles that I’ve been portraying. So it feels fulfilling as an actress,” she said.

Ji-won first captured public attention through the 2013 teen drama “The Heirs,” where she portrayed a haughty heiress intent on thwarting the romance between the characters played by Lee Min-ho and Park Shin-hye.

Looking back on 'The Heirs': Teen series spawns popular K-drama stars

She continued to play supporting roles, such as in “Descendants of the Sun,” before stepping into lead roles in dramas such as “Fight For My Way,” “Arthdal Chronicles” and “My Liberation Notes.”

READ: 7 K-dramas showcasing Kim Ji-won’s versatility

Earlier this year, Ji-won captivated audiences with her icy portrayal of the heiress Hong Hae-in in “Queen of Tears,” which shattered viewership records on its network tvN.

At the press conference, Ji-won confessed that “Queen of Tears” was among her toughest projects yet. “One of the most challenging projects lately would probably be ‘Queen of Tears,’” said the 31-year-old actress.

“When I got the script around three months prior to filming, I really studied it every day. I had to meet [with] the directors [and] talk to them,” Ji-won said.

“When we were doing the script reading with my fellow actors and actresses, it felt a lot easier to understand and relate to my character,” she said, referring to Hae-in, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness in the series.

Ji-won’s preparation for “Queen of Tears” followed her usual method of thoroughly studying the script and closely collaborating with her co-stars. “I’m very blessed and lucky to be surrounded by good staff [members] and production teams, and to be partnered with good actors and actresses,” she said.

For Ji-won, the character that left the biggest mark on her was Yoo Rachel in “The Heirs,” explaining that “it was the first time I portrayed a very strong character and an antagonist.”

“I [also] think people start to know me because of the drama,” she said.

While she has mostly appeared in romance series, Ji-won is open to exploring other genres. “If I could be given a chance to pick another genre, I’d like something very different like a thriller, maybe. I believe the fans will be amazed to see me in a totally different genre,” she said.

Kim Ji-won during her 'Be My One' fan meeting at the New Frontier Theater, August 3, 2024. Photos courtesy of PULP Live World and Joel H. GarciaMeeting Pinoy fans

Produced by PULP Live World, the fan meeting at the New Frontier Theater marked Ji-won’s first encounter with her Filipino supporters. The actress likened the experience to finally meeting long-time pen pals, saying “it’s very surprising and I’m very thrilled.”

During the over two-hour affair, Ji-won treated fans with insights into her roles and shared personal tidbits, including her newfound interest in yogurt ice cream. Lucky fans also had the chance to personally interact with the actress through games that had them guessing Ji-won's doodles and identifying dramas based on their soundtracks.

Ji-won also showcased her vocal talents, performing “Stupid Cupid,” a classic made popular by Mandy Moore in “The Princess Diaries,” and Kim Na-young’s “From Bottom of My Heart” from  “Queen of Tears.”

The event reached an emotional peak when fans surprised Ji-won with a heartfelt video and sang the English version of “Tell Me It's Not A Dream” from “Queen of Tears,” moving the actress to tears.

“I didn’t expect that you’d sing for me and it was really touching,” she told fans.

At the end of the fan meet, Ji-won thanked the crowd for their enthusiasm. “I thought I'd be the one giving you guys happiness but actually it was the other way around. I got more happiness from you,” she said.

“I was recharged by your passion. So it made me feel that I have to do better in the future and work to show you a better side of me,” she added.

For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the Hallyu Corner microsite.

RELATED VIDEO