[Exclusive Interview] Actress Lee Jin Wins Acting Award...

Actress Lee Jin, who has steadily built her career across film, television dramas, and stage performances, has received an acting award at the Suwon Christian Film Festival, marking another meaningful milestone in her career.

Lee Jin, who also serves as a director of the Film Actors Association, expressed her gratitude for the recognition, describing the award as encouragement to remain dedicated to her craft and continue improving as an actress.

In an exclusive written interview with Korean Today, Lee Jin shared her journey into acting, her approach to developing characters, her views on the Korean independent film industry, and her aspirations for the future.

A Meaningful Award and Gratitude to Her Family

Reflecting on her acting award at the Suwon Christian Film Festival, Lee Jin expressed both happiness and a renewed sense of responsibility.

Rather than viewing the award simply as a personal achievement, she considers it motivation to work harder and become a better actress.

When asked who first came to mind upon receiving the recognition, she mentioned her family, expressing heartfelt appreciation for their support.

For Lee Jin, the award represents not only professional recognition but also an opportunity to reflect on her artistic journey.

From a Modeling Competition to the World of Acting

Lee Jin’s journey into acting began after she received an award at a modeling competition and was subsequently discovered by a director.

That opportunity opened the door to the entertainment industry, where she gradually expanded her experience through various productions.

Over the years, she has explored different characters and storytelling formats, building her career through film, television, and theater.

Despite the challenges that come with an acting career, she has continued to pursue new opportunities and develop her artistic abilities.

Exploring Human Emotions Through the Short Film “Rain”

In September 2026, Lee Jin participated in the short film Rain, portraying a character named Mi-ae.

She described the production as a meaningful experience that allowed her to explore unfamiliar emotional territory.

Understanding her character’s circumstances and expressing those emotions authentically became an important part of her performance.

She also appeared in the web drama Byeolttong Lotto (Shooting Star Lotto), continuing to broaden her experience in screen acting.

For Lee Jin, portraying different characters offers an opportunity to better understand human emotions and relationships.

“I Read the Script Repeatedly and Carefully Analyze My Character”

One of Lee Jin’s core acting principles is developing a deep understanding of the character she portrays.

She explained that she reads scripts multiple times, examines the overall narrative, and carefully analyzes the character’s emotions and motivations.

Rather than simply delivering lines, she believes that an actor must understand why a character behaves and feels a certain way.

This approach helps her bring greater emotional depth and authenticity to each performance.

Advocating for Independent Films and Opportunities for Emerging Actors

Beyond her own acting career, Lee Jin expressed her hopes for the continued development of the Korean film industry.

As a director of the Film Actors Association, she emphasized the importance of creating more opportunities for actors, particularly those beginning their careers.

She believes that expanding independent and short-film production can provide emerging performers with valuable opportunities to gain experience and demonstrate their abilities.

According to Lee Jin, a diverse and vibrant filmmaking environment is essential for the long-term growth of Korean cinema.

She also highlighted the importance of sustained interest and support for independent filmmaking.

An Active Year Across Stage, Television, and Film

Throughout 2026, Lee Jin has remained active in various productions.

In August, she portrayed Joo-hee in the staged reading Sunny’s Memories. In September, she participated in the web drama Byeolttong Lotto and the short film Rain.

Her acting credits also include a publishing company department manager in Tangpyeongchaek, a profiler in the feature film RESONANCE, and the mother of Seon-woo in the short film Visual Melody.

She has also participated in productions including Kimchi, Natto and Me and the drama series Minors.

Through these varied roles, Lee Jin continues to demonstrate her willingness to explore different genres and characters.

“I Want to Challenge Myself in Every Genre”

When asked about the types of roles she hopes to pursue in the future, Lee Jin expressed her desire to explore every genre rather than limit herself to a particular category.

She believes actors should continuously challenge themselves, discover new characters, and expand their creative possibilities.

Her future plans also include an event-related schedule in New York from November 13 to 15, reflecting her interest in expanding her activities beyond Korea.

“An Actor Must Never Become Complacent”

Lee Jin also shared a message for aspiring actors and those who have supported her career.

She emphasized the importance of perseverance, self-development, and maintaining a genuine passion for acting.

Her message reflects a belief that an actor’s journey is defined not only by awards or recognition but also by the willingness to keep learning and taking on new challenges.