KRYSTAL JUNG

It's been a landmark year for one of South Korea's most successful idol-turned-actors. Hot off her Cannes Film Festival debut, the Ralph Lauren ambassador delves into the black comedy film Cobweb and how her travels have influenced her personal style.

- AZRIN TAN

Krystal Jung has a can-do attitude. I noticed this when I had the pleasure of meeting her on set earlier in the year, when we were shooting a video for a beauty brand. The concept required her to guess the origins of different scents—a task she embraced with verve and gusto. Had it not been for her spirited enthusiasm, I’m inclined to believe that the shoot might not have gone as well as it did.

That same fervour applies to how she approaches her career, facing scripts head-on and wilfully venturing out of her comfort zone. At just 29 years old, Jung’s filmography is a behemoth of its own; ranging from light-hearted romances to spunky action thrillers. In the last few years, her spirited approach to life has also caught the eye of American luxury fashion brand Ralph Lauren, earning her the title of global ambassador. It just might be her starring role in acclaimed director Kim Jee-woon’s black comedy film Cobweb, however, that catapults her name to even greater heights.

In Cobweb, Jung plays the unabashed Han Yu-rim, a rising actor in the South Korean entertainment industry in the ‘70s, who shows a passion akin to Jung’s own for her acting career. With veteran industry names Song Kang-ho and Oh Jung-se in its cast, the film premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where it received a 10-minute standing ovation as the credits rolled. For her red carpet appearance, Jung donned a glamorous gown and looked every bit the part of her Cobweb character—a reminder of her commitment to transforming into her on-screen roles.

When it comes to choosing her next script, Jung prefers roles that are fresh and challenging as she believes they will develop her career as an actor.