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| Lee Bo-young played the role of a creative director in JTBC's series "Agency." Courtesy of How Pictures and Drama House Studio |
By Lee Gyu-lee
JTBC's workplace series "Agency," starring Lee Bo-young as the lead, kicked off earlier last month with only a 4.8 percent viewership rating, despite taking the time slot of the smash-hit series "Reborn Rich."
But it did not take long for the female-centric series, about an advertising agent breaking the glass ceiling, to catch on thanks to its compelling storyline and Lee's charismatic portrayal as the self-assertive agent. The series wrapped on Sunday with its highest rating of 16 percent.
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| Actress Lee Bo-young / Courtesy of J Wide Company |
"There aren't many characters with such a strong personality like this. I had so much fun playing her," Lee said during a recent interview with The Korea Times, held at a cafe in Gangnam District. "This was a type of character I've never played before and this was my first office series … so it felt as if I was heading to the office to work."
The 16-part series revolves around an advertising agency and its creative director Go Ah-in (Lee). Go comes from a poor family and a degree from a mediocre college, unlike her co-workers who graduated from prestigious schools. But she has a strong desire to be successful, becoming the first female executive at the company.
Even after landing the executive position, Go climbs further up the corporate ladder, dealing with workplace politics and struggles in the cut-throat industry.
The series is led by director Lee Chang-min, whose previous works include the 2015 thriller series, "Remember," and is penned by writer Song Soo-han who previously worked at an advertising agency.
Lee shared that she found the role of Go to be intriguing, although she could not relate to the blunt and ruthless character.
"I had read the script up to the ninth episode when I started shooting the series, and it was really interesting," she said. "I've never worked in an office but I don't know if I can ever talk like her. I couldn't relate to her at all. However, I thought she was such an interesting character. There was this huge catharsis in spitting out the words that you were thinking but can't let out."
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| A scene from the series, "Agency" / Courtesy of How Pictures and Drama House Studio |
The actress added she tried to make Go look harsher and mean to show how she grows as she begins to understand what truly matters in life.
"I tried to make her look really mean (from the start). That way, I can show how this person becomes better. The thing I discussed with the director was that we wanted the viewers to see this character and feel they want to root for her," she said.
"[Go] Ah-in wishes to go up to a higher position, thinking people can't look down on her if she makes a lot of money. But as she works together (with her teammates), she has a breakthrough and becomes mature. She overcomes her traumatic past with her mom and starts to have a real life, interacting with other people. I think this is the success that she needed."
Despite the series' successful viewership rating, Lee noted that she doesn't try to let the pressure get to her, adding that she picks projects solely based on what interests her.
"One of the lines from 'Agency' that I related to was about how it's becoming increasingly difficult to understand trends. I used to have confidence and was sure what would interest (people) but now, I don't know what people fall for. So I don't feel as confident as before, but my priority is on whether I like it or not," she said.
"When I choose a project, I don't pick ones that don't interest me. I do have roles that I want to try out but I can't do them if (the script) isn't interesting."
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