Unveiling the Charms of Actress Moon So-Ri

Beyond talent, acting calls for presence, resilience, and versatility to bring a character to life. Once a student at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Korean actress and filmmaker Moon So-ri has gracefully crafted a remarkable filmography through acclaimed works such as Peppermint Candy and When Life Gives You Tangerines. This November, the Sungkyun Times (SKT) sat down with her to discuss not only her artistry but also her story behind the spotlight.

The Making of a Performer

Q1. Please introduce yourself.

Hello, my name is Moon So-ri, and I am an actress. I entered the Department of Education at SKKU in 1993, as I was encouraged to pursue a career in teaching. During my time there, I began participating in stage acting, which I soon fell in love with, and I now work as an actress, appearing in various Korean films and TV shows.

Q2. How did you decide to major in education, and what kind of student were you at SKKU?

I made the decision because the adults around me advised me that teaching was a stable and respectable profession. Plus, my personality seemed well-suited for it, and I genuinely liked children. In high school, I was introverted, so once I entered university, I wanted to experience everything. For that reason, I was a very busy student as I threw myself into all sorts of activities — sometimes at the expense of my studies. People hardly ever saw me walking along Daeseong-ro — the ginkgo-lined road that once stretched from Daeseong Gate, the former front gate, to the main building of the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus — as I was always running around doing something.

Q3. What are the most memorable experiences from your university years?

The most memorable experiences are the activities I did with others. I played the gayageum — a Korean zither — in the Daedong Society, a traditional Korean music club. Up until my sophomore year, my clubmates and I played live music at traditional wedding ceremonies held in Myeongnyundang on the weekends. Those experiences of performing, as well as acting in small plays, remain vivid in my memory. I also remember volunteering in farming villages as a student, with each college heading off to different rural areas in Gangwon Province. Those times remain deeply meaningful to me as well. 

From the Stage to the Screen

Q4. What led you to choose acting as a profession?

During my university years, I joined a theater club, which further sparked my interest in acting. I also joined theater troupes in Daehak-ro, Jongno District. To me, acting was like speaking directly to the world. It seemed bold and fearless, and I had been drawn to such intensity since my twenties, when I was full of youthful energy. In small theater spaces, directly addressing the audience carried so much force, power, and charm that I became certain I should perform more often. Another part of me disliked my timid, introverted self, so acting in a way helped me overcome that — and instead of hesitating over whether it suited me, I decided to take the new path to see where it might lead.

Q5. Which of your works has left the deepest impression on you?

Every single work has left an unforgettable mark on me. They are all etched into me — each like a small tattoo. However, my first film, Peppermint Candy, definitely holds a special place in my heart. Every moment from that film remains vivid and personal. To me, the person shown in that film feels like a version of myself carried away by time. From my second project onward, people saw me as actress Moon So-ri, but what they saw in my first film was the young Moon So-ri before she became an actress, which makes it all the more meaningful.

Q6. Out of all the roles you have played, which one resonates with you the most, and why?

Usually, my most recent roles tend to stick with me, as older characters gradually fade from my memory. Lately, the character Ae-sun from When Life Gives You Tangerines has stuck with me. She is portrayed as a mother with traditional values and universal maternal emotions — a type of character I had never paid much attention to before.

I used to wonder why all mothers shared those similar traits, but playing her helped me see them differently, revealing the quiet strength behind their tenderness, and making her one of the most memorable roles.

Q7. When you take on a role, how do you prepare for it?

Every actor has their own process, depending on the character and the story. For example, when preparing to play a mother and housewife in When Life Gives You Tangerines, I tried to channel my mother, aunts, and other women I knew by reliving their images and behaviors to bring the character to life. In contrast, when I played Lady Hideko’s aunt in The Handmaiden, the character was unlike anyone I knew. For such roles, I usually seek inspiration from fiction, music, or paintings with a similar mood. In this way, I try different methods until I find what truly resonates with the character and the story.

Q8.  What have you gained from stage acting, as in your recent play The Sound Inside?

I consider stage acting my first love, as it ignited a deep passion in me for acting. Although I mostly appear in films and TV shows today, the stage remains the foundation of my acting career. Stage acting requires months of daily rehearsals with fellow actors and staff. Since we spend so much time together, it helps build deeper relationships. From those bonds, I have gained so much. By the time the performance ends, I often find that my feelings toward the people around me have grown significantly, and that has strengthened my personality as well.

The Script She Lives By

Q9. What value do you consider most important in life?

We, as people, are all connected. This is something I keep in mind when it comes to acting, as acting is never done alone. How I act toward others and how others act toward me are incredibly important in acting, and no work would be complete without that exchange. I value this sense of connection in life as well. I live for these sorts of relationships, and it is one value I hold very dear to my heart.

Q10. What has been the greatest source of strength in your journey as an actor?

Without a doubt, it has been the love from my family, friends, and the people who have cared for me. Their love has raised me, supported me, and pulled me through difficult times. I have grown and lived surrounded by love, and even now, I am still standing thanks to the love and support I receive from my colleagues. This made me realize that I have been able to endure difficult times because of the love I received from those around me.

Q11. Is there a particular goal you wish to achieve in the future?

I hope that more exciting projects keep coming my way. There is no greater fortune than being able to work on stories that spark my interest. I wish to work on projects that can endure time and resonate with audiences long after their release. Outside of acting, I have many personal goals as well. One of them is to maintain a close relationship with my daughter, and another is never to lose my curiosity about the world.

Q12. Finally, as an alumna of SKKU, what advice would you like to share with Kingos?

Do not let other people ever dictate your choices. Instead of envying how others live and comparing yourself to others, pay attention to the voice in your heart. Listen and observe what makes your heart race and what it is that you truly want to do, then pursue it. I hope Kingos follow the voice that shouts within them — the voice that knows what they truly want.