Nana has lived many lives over the last 14 years.
She debuted as a member of After School, one of South Korea's top girl groups at the time, then continued her career as an artist with After School’s sub-group Orange Caramel before joining the sub-unit A.S. Red shortly after. She has also walked runways, modelled and hosted. And she did all this for six years before she entered the realm of acting.
Acting had never interested her — not at first, anyways. She recalls, “I just loved to sing and dance, and I didn’t even think about this other world called acting amidst my busy schedule.” Things started changing when she started getting calls for roles that would fit her image. “I took a short class and went for the auditions without having any knowledge of what to do. And at every audition, I would receive disappointing feedback — that my acting skills were poor, or that my image was good, but that I was lacking in acting skills, and that I should practise more.”
Such feedback might have come across as harsh, but she never took the critique personally or let it intimidate her. Instead, it served as a question she was committed to find answers to. The 31-year-old shares, “I became curious every time I would hear such things from so many experts. What is acting? My curiosity multiplied with every audition I would fail. So I decided to properly study acting and I started by copying my acting teacher. Breathing, vocalisation, emotions, facial expressions, everything.”
This story is from the February 2023 edition of ELLE Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2023 edition of ELLE Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Dear Agony Aunt: What Should I Do?
The business of giving advice is booming, but who is qualified to offer guidance?
Follow The Green Path
Our pursuit of harmony with the planet is mirrored in the choices we make. We seek to adopt the best practices, drawing nourishment and inspiration from nature itself. Fortunately, the beauty industry is exploring promising avenues in this regard.
Bring On The Glow
Founding director of the Global Centre for Asian Women’s Health, Professor Cuilin Zhang shares why more should be invested in women’s health.
Harmony AMIDST THE HUSTLE
To cope with the relentless pace of corporate life, New York Times bestselling author Deepak Chopra unveils the keys to tranquility in the concrete jungle.
Embrace the Art OF JEONG
Creator of premium skincare brand Then I Met You, Charlotte Cho wants you to take a moment for yourself to connect with people… and your beauty products.
WHO'S THAT Girl?
For 2024, Dior proposes a new interpretation of its iconic Miss Dior—one that returns to the fragrance’s very roots in 1947. Natalie Portman shares her thoughts on the floral and fruity scent.
GO, GO, Gadget
From an AI-powered bespoke lipstick maker to at-home microdermabrasions, here are the latest gadgets for head-to-toe beauty to get your hands on.
STRAIGHT TO Perfection
From hot combs to keratin treatments and the craze on liquid hair, we take a look at hair straighteners of the past, present, and near future.
IN FULL bloom
Milly Carnivora is back with three new jewellery designs bearing the same hallmarks that made it a Dior classic.
Drab TO Fab
Reclaim your inner light with radiance-enhancing skincare and pigment-erasing treatments.