In her latest television drama Black, South Korean actress Go Ara plays a woman who can see the supernatural. In real life, however, she can hardly sit through a horror movie.
The 27-year-old tells The Straits Times in a translated e-mail interview: "I like the fantasy genre very much, but I cannot see scary things, so I don't watch fantasy thrillers or horror movies."
Still, she was keen to try the role in Black because she felt "being challenged" would make the entire acting experience more "meaningful", she says.
In the fantasy thriller, Go plays Kang Ha Ram, a young woman who sees ghostly spirits pop up next to anyone nearing death, including an imminent murder victim. While Ha Ram is terrified of what she sees, she learns to put her special skill to good use - by working with the police to stop these deaths from happening.
The police detective she works closest with is the cowardly Han Moo Gang, whose body is later possessed by the snarky grim reaper. He is played by South Korean hunk Song Seung Heon, 41, who is known for starring in hit television dramas such as Autumn In My Heart (2000) and East Of Eden (2008).
On co-starring with the veteran actor, Go says: "I have a lot of memories and I would like to thank him for his kindness while we were working together on the set. There were a lot of funny moments shared between us too."
Given the premise of the series, filming it also helped her to reflect on her life, she says.
"The show made me think about life and death and also about the afterlife. I think it is important to just be grateful to be alive and to live life in a meaningful manner."
Black, which aired on South Korean television from October to December last year, is available on streaming service Viu. Go's earlier shows, including historical romance Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016 to 2017) and the hugely popular nostalgic drama Reply 1994 (2013), can also be streamed on the service.
This year, she hopes to act in more dramas and "show good performance and progress". Asked how she would like to be remembered, she says she would like it to be for being "pretty".
"When I say pretty, I don't just mean in terms of outward appearance. I think a person is also beautiful if she has a thoughtful mind."
• Black, Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth and Reply 1994 are available on streaming service Viu.
