Lim Ji Yeon Dishes On Portraying Dual Identities As Runaway Slave Living As Fake Noblewoman In "The Tale Of Lady Ok"

Nov 19, 2024

Lim Ji Yeon has shared insights into her upcoming JTBC drama “The Tale of Lady Ok”!

“The Tale of Lady Ok” tells the intense survival con game of runaway slave Goo Deok Yi (Lim Ji Yeon), who assumes the identity of Lady Ok Tae Young after faking her name, status, and even her husband, and Cheon Seung Hwi (Choo Young Woo), who risks everything to protect her.

Lim Ji Yeon takes on the role of the fake Ok Tae Young, a former slave who escapes her harsh reality to assume the identity of a noblewoman. After enduring years of abuse, she finally seizes the chance to live the life she’s always dreamed of—a peaceful existence where she can grow old with dignity. Using her intelligence and abilities that had been overlooked due to her low status, she carves out a life more extraordinary than the one she was born into.

On why she chose to star in the drama, Lim Ji Yeon shared, “I’ve always been curious about historical dramas and felt a thirst for the genre. I was drawn to how the growth of a female character is beautifully interwoven with elements of romance and genre storytelling. I was also intrigued by the challenge of portraying two identities at the same time.”

Speaking about her character, she noted, “Ok Tae Young feels like someone who transcends the rigid class distinctions of her era. At first, I was curious about Goo Deok Yi who pretends to be Ok Tae Young, but as I delved deeper into the role, her wisdom and warmth captivated me. I think this is the first time I’ve portrayed a character I want to emulate.”

Balancing the duality of Goo Deok Yi, the slave, and Ok Tae Young, the noblewoman, is no easy feat. However, Lim Ji Yeon revealed her unique approach: “I didn’t try to differentiate too much between the two. Ok Tae Young is both Goo Deok Yi and Ok Tae Young. Though born as a slave, Goo Deok Yi fought to escape her fate, and Tae Young too, despite her struggles always sought new dreams. The difference is simply their circumstances and status.”

Finally, Lim Ji Yeon shared her thoughts on the drama’s main message: “’The Tale of Lady Ok’ delves into the fierce survival story of a woman who, though unfortunately has to steal someone else’s life, dedicates herself to her true self and those who gave her this second chance. Ultimately, I think Goo Deok Yi’s goal as she lives as Ok Tae Young is to achieve an independent life.”