In the highly anticipated series No Gain No Loveon Prime Video, which began on August 26 and concluded on October 1, one of the finest stars in South Korea, Shin Min-a, returned to the rom-com genre, showcasing her undeniable charm and talent as Son Hae-yeong, a woman navigating the complexities of love, career, and personal ambition.
EXCLUSIVE: Shin Min-a on romantic-comedy No Gain No Love, creating fun dynamic with Kim Young-dae, sisterhood moments & her two-decade career: “It’s always fun to meet and play new characters”
Set against the backdrop of a contemporary urban landscape, Son Hae-yeong finds herself in a series of comedic and heartwarming escapades after proposing a fake marriage to Kim Ji-uk, portrayed by the charismatic Kim Young-dae. Ji-uk, a quintessential neighbourhood hero and convenience store employee, reluctantly agrees to the ruse, leading to a dynamic filled with both humour and tension as they navigate their unconventional arrangement. The series not only highlights the sparkling chemistry between Shin Min-a and Kim Young-dae but also features an ensemble cast that enriches the narrative.
Lee Sang-yi plays Bok Gyu-hyun, a third-generation chaebol and Hae-yeong’s boss, adding layers of complexity to her workplace dynamics, while Han Ji-hyeon shines as Nam Ja-yeon, a close friend and aspiring novelist who provides much-needed-support and comic relief. Directed by Kim Jung-sik, known for his adept handling of modern narratives, and penned by Kim Hye-young, the series promises to blend humour with relatable themes of ambition and resilience.
In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Shin Min-a reflects on her character’s fierce determination not to lose out, resonating with audiences who understand the frustrations of seeking fairness in life. As Hae-yeong confronts various challenges, from romantic misadventures to career obstacles, her journey becomes a relatable exploration of modern womanhood. With No Gain No Love, Shin Min-a not only reaffirms her status as the rom-com queen but also introduces a bolder side to her character, inviting viewers to join her on this engaging and heartfelt ride.
Excerpts from Bollywood Hungama interview with Shin Min-a:
Q: How did you relate to Son Hae-yeong’s character and her perspective on life? What attracted you to the role of a woman who is so focused on achieving her goals and getting her fair share?
Shin Min-a: I thought that many people, not only myself, might be able to sympathize with the character Son Hae-yeong who doesn’t want to lose out. There could be a difference in how much people express on the surface, but most contemporary people will feel angry if they don’t get fair results proportional to their efforts, their hearts are reflected in this character. Sometimes I wondered if Hae-yeong’s reckless expressions would be okay, but looking back, I thought that Hae-yeong’s personal judgment criteria were generally wise, and although I might not have made the same choices as her, I was able to sympathize with her.
Q: The humour element you bring to the table with Son Hae-yeong is unmatched. What do you find most challenging about balancing the comedic and romantic elements in a rom-com?
Shin Min-a: At first, I was worried that Hae-yeong’s character would be seen as a selfish character who only calculates. That’s why, in the beginning, I tried to express the comedic parts as healthy and pleasant as possible to convey Hae-yeong’s character well to viewers. In particular, I wanted to convey the charm of romantic comedy in the bickering with Ji-uk, but I balanced it with the thought that if Hae-yeong’s character was accepted lovingly and positively by the viewers, the romance in the latter part would naturally follow.
Q: How did you go about creating the sisterhood dynamic between Hae-yeong, Nam Ja-yeon, and Cha Hui-seong, portrayed by Han Ji-hyeon and Ju Min-gyung? Was there a particular moment during filming when you realized that the camaraderie between the three foster siblings was coming across authentically on screen?
Shin Min-a: I was comfortable with Han Ji-hyeon and Ju Min-gyung from the beginning and we had good chemistry. Although each character has different characteristics, it was particularly comfortable and enjoyable in the home scenes where the three meet because of the good chemistry. Hae-yeong and Hui-seong had different opinions, so they bumped heads or fought at times, and when that happened, Ja-yeon would help harmonize the relationship by being in the middle, making for really good chemistry. This is especially visible in the scene where Ja-yeon made Hae-yeong and Hui-seong reconcile by jumping in the trampoline park.
Q: Fake marriage trope romantic comedies are always a hit and No Gain No Love is receiving great feedback, especially for the chemistry between you and Kim Young-dae. What was the initial icebreaker that helped you two develop the perfect annoyance-to-love dynamic between Hae-yeong and Kim Ji-uk?
Shin Min-a: Isn’t the biggest reason the relationship started was because of the time accumulated in the convenience store, which is the closest place to their daily lives for a long time? There was interest in each other even between the antagonistic chemistry, and it seems that viewers followed the emotional line of the two well.
Q: Even though you have limited scenes with Lee Sang-yi, who plays your boss Bok Gyu-hyun, was it exciting to reunite with him and play such fun characters again after Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha? Did your previous experience working together influence the easy dynamic between your characters in this project?
Shin Min-a: I met Lee Sang-yi as senior and junior characters in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, but in this work, I met him as a boss, my husband’s half-brother, and the boyfriend of a friend who is like a real younger sister. The basic setting of Son Hae-yeong and Bok Gyu-hyun’s comical relationship helped in acting out the familiarity between them. In particular, I think our chemistry was really good in the scene where they met each other in a shabby state in front of the police station, when they talked seriously about the company, and when they had breakfast at Hae-yeong’s house after she was removed from her position.
Q: You’ve been known for choosing diverse roles. What factors influence your decision-making when selecting projects? Is it a conscious decision to do one project a year, though this is your first K-drama in two years?
Shin Min-a: Originality. It’s always fun to meet and express new characters. Just as I was attracted to Hae-yeong’s character and her ways of expression since it was a new style that I hadn’t done before, I think I will choose a new character or expression style that I haven’t done in my next project.
Q: What was the most memorable or challenging scene for you to film in No Gain No Love? Can you share a behind-the-scenes anecdote or funny story from the set?
Shin Min-a: The scene of Haeyoung’s self-proposal is memorable. The self-proposal scenes are situations where you have to pretend to be proposed to by your boyfriend in front of many people, so I was shy and embarrassed before filming, but I wanted to express it cheerfully and bravely like Hae-yeong, and I was happy because viewers fortunately seemed to enjoy it. The director worked really hard on the comic scenes in the beginning. It was just an imaginary scene, but the scene where I fell from the rooftop wearing a wedding dress was memorable because I wore equipment in front of the blue screen. The part where I flipped off Ji-uk while falling from the rooftop was not in the script, but it was my idea. (laughs).
Q: You’ve been in the entertainment industry for over two decades. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career? How has your perspective on acting and the industry changed over the years?
Shin Min-a: The most essential and rewarding aspect is being able to meet viewers and audiences with diverse characters in diverse works. If many people sympathize with and support the character I played, there is no greater reward.
Q: Before the show premiered, a spin-off “Spice Up Our Love”, which shows the makers were so confident about this show’s success and the love for the characters. How excited are you for your co-stars, Han Ji-hyeon and Lee Sang-yi, to take on the lead roles in the spin-off?
Shin Min-a: All the characters in No Gain No Love are charming, so I’m looking forward to the spin-off. I don’t know the story about the spin-off, but I think it will be fun.
Q: What’s next for you in terms of drama or movie? Any particular genre you want to explore? Have you signed any projects yet?
Shin Min-a: I’ve finished filming for this year and there are two titles that are scheduled to be released next year. I think the next project I choose will be a genre or a character that I haven’t done before.
ALSO READ: No Gain No Love Review: Shin Min Ah and Kim Young Dae lead life’s inequities with a bold fake marriage trope in new K-drama rom-com
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