SNSD's Tiffany Wants to Show Her True Colors in 'Uncle Samsik'

SNSD's Tiffany Wants to Show Her True Colors in 'Uncle Samsik'

▲ This photo, provided by Sublime Artist Agency, shows singer-actor Tiffany Young of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, June 27 (Yonhap) -- "I want to take on roles without English lines in the future. I hope to find a great script that allows me to show my true self as Hwang Mi-young (Tiffany Young's real name)."

The recently concluded Disney+ original series "Uncle Samsik" has garnered attention not only for being Song Kang-ho's first drama but also for its impressive cast, including Byun Yo-han, Jin Ki-joo, Lee Kyu-hyung, Seo Hyun-woo, Yoo Jae-myung, and Joo Jin-mo. Among the notable names, Tiffany Young, who played Korean-American 'Rachel Jung,' stood out.

Tiffany, who rose to fame as a member of Girls' Generation (SNSD), took on a significant role in this series, earning a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards. This marks her second drama appearance, following her role in "Reborn Rich" in 2022.

Meeting with reporters at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Tiffany shared her thoughts on the series' conclusion. "The filming set of 'Uncle Samsik' was truly remarkable, and I am grateful for the time spent with the best seniors and partners," she reflected.

Despite her success as a singer, Tiffany's acting experience was limited. She landed the role of Rachel Jung through an audition after hearing about the production of "Uncle Samsik." "I don't smoke, but Rachel does, so I brought an e-cigarette to the audition along with high heels," Tiffany recalled. "I thought these props would help me capture Rachel's image."

Tiffany, a Korean-American, found a personal connection to the series set in the 1960s, saying, "It's a story from my grandparents' generation. Studying the historical background made me fall in love with 'Uncle Samsik'."

In the drama, Rachel is a key figure at the Albright Scholarship Foundation, responsible for selecting Korean students for overseas studies. She recognizes the potential of protagonist Kim San (Byun Yo-han) and decides to shape him into a new leader for Korea.

Rachel, a Korean-American from a prominent family, is assertive, straightforward, and fluent in English, aligning well with Tiffany's real-life background. Known for her dedication, Tiffany worked hard to perfect her Korean pronunciation early in her career with Girls' Generation.

In the series, there's a scene where Uncle Samsik (Park Doo-chil, played by Song Kang-ho) describes Rachel as a "pufferfish-like woman," which Tiffany found insightful. "A pufferfish has a strong poison that doesn't harm itself but can be deadly to others, which made me understand Rachel's cool and resilient nature."

Tiffany shared a personal anecdote that influenced a scene in the drama. When she first met Song Kang-ho, she greeted him with a bow and extended her hand for a handshake, reflecting her American upbringing. This interaction was incorporated into the scene where Rachel meets Park Doo-chil.

Due to her fluent English, Tiffany has portrayed Korean-American characters named Rachel in both of her drama appearances, including "Reborn Rich." "I find the name Rachel very charming," Tiffany said, adding that fellow Girls' Generation member Sooyoung jokingly called her the "Rachel collector," a comment that delighted her.

However, Tiffany expressed her desire to take on more diverse roles. "While I was able to perform well because Rachel was a character I could relate to, I hope to show a broader range and take on roles without English lines in the future," she said. "I want to show my true self as Hwang Mi-young."

"My passion, practice, and stamina are unmatched. I love acting as much as I love music, and I believe in showing my dedication through my actions. Though I'll always have room for improvement, I will continue to learn from amazing stories, senior actors, and directors," Tiffany concluded.