Nam Ji Hyun is preparing to return with a completely different kind of character in the upcoming TVING original series “Make Me Tingle.”
Ahead of the drama’s October premiere, the actress has shared her thoughts on Gong Yeon Su, explaining what attracted her to the role and how she approached portraying a character whose deeply rooted values are challenged by unfamiliar experiences.
“Make Me Tingle” is described as a chaotic coming-of-age romantic comedy centered on Gong Yeon Su and Dokgo Dal, played by Kim Jae Yeong.
Gong Yeon Su believes in love but has never completely understood what it means for her, while Dokgo Dal is a confident startup CEO who introduces her to a world far removed from the environment in which she was raised.
Nam Ji Hyun takes on the role of Gong Yeon Su, the eldest daughter of a traditional family.
She grows up in a conservative environment where following family values and behaving properly are considered extremely important.
At the same time, she works as a marketer, a profession that requires her to recognize changing trends and understand what is happening around her.
This creates an interesting contrast within the character.
Gong Yeon Su may be cautious and traditional in her personal life, but professionally she is expected to remain open to new ideas and changing social trends.
The actress explained that this contradiction was one of the qualities that made the character feel particularly realistic to her.
Nam Ji Hyun Explains What Drew Her to Gong Yeon Su
Speaking about Gong Yeon Su, Nam Ji Hyun described her as someone with multiple sides to her personality, all connected by her fundamentally warm and lovable nature.
She explained that the character can be stubborn but also makes an effort to broaden her perspective.
Nam Ji Hyun noted that Gong Yeon Su is wary of unfamiliar things, yet she does not simply accept her own assumptions. Instead, she questions why she thinks a certain way.
For the actress, this willingness to reflect and eventually change was one of the most appealing aspects of the character.
“I found these aspects very realistic,” Nam Ji Hyun said, adding that she was particularly impressed by how Gong Yeon Su ultimately grows by confronting difficult situations.
That development became an important reason why she wanted to participate in the project.
When it came to portraying Gong Yeon Su, Nam Ji Hyun said that she placed the greatest emphasis on “sincerity.”
Rather than approaching the character simply through her conservative beliefs, the actress wanted to show that Gong Yeon Su genuinely gives her best to whatever she does.
Nam Ji Hyun explained that the character experiences so many worries and conflicts because she approaches situations sincerely.
She also wanted to show different sides of Gong Yeon Su depending on who she is interacting with, whether she is at home with her family or dealing with people in society.
That approach allows the character to exist beyond a simple contrast between traditional and modern values.
Gong Yeon Su is instead portrayed as someone who is constantly thinking, questioning herself and learning through her experiences.
A Bold Career Choice Becomes the Beginning of Her Transformation
A major turning point in Gong Yeon Su’s story comes through her career.
Although she has grown up in a conservative environment, she deliberately chooses marketing because she is afraid of becoming someone who only knows the small world around her.
Her decision to apply for a marketing position at Dokgo Dal’s company therefore represents much more than a professional opportunity.
Nam Ji Hyun described it as such a bold challenge that it can be considered the first act of rebellion in Gong Yeon Su’s life.
The new environment does not immediately make things easy for her.
Gong Yeon Su makes numerous mistakes and sometimes loses confidence, but she continues trying to overcome each situation.
Through the process, she gradually absorbs new experiences and begins to understand perspectives that were previously unfamiliar to her.
Nam Ji Hyun believes these experiences will have a lasting effect on Gong Yeon Su.
By confronting situations that challenge the values she has held for most of her life, the character is expected to become braver and more confident in herself.
The actress also pointed to the relationship between Gong Yeon Su and Dokgo Dal as one of the drama’s major attractions.
The two characters have very different approaches to life and love, which naturally leads to frequent disagreements and clashes.
However, their relationship gradually develops as they begin to understand and complement one another.
Nam Ji Hyun encouraged viewers to pay attention to that progression, particularly the way the two characters eventually become important parts of each other’s lives.
“Make Me Tingle” will premiere on October 15, with Nam Ji Hyun and Kim Jae Yeong leading the cast.
As the premiere approaches, Gong Yeon Su’s journey promises to be one of the central elements of the series, with her personal growth forming an important part of the story.
