Jang Nara Opens Up About the Challenges of Her Youthful Appearance in Acting Career
Seoul, South Korea – Acclaimed actress Jang Nara has recently shared the significant pressures she has faced throughout her career due to her consistently youthful appearance. The 43-year-old star revealed that her “baby face” has often limited the range of roles offered to her, leading to a long-standing struggle to portray diverse characters.
In a video released on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Jang Nara explained that her natural aura of being approachable and gentle has made it arduous for casting directors to envision her in more complex or antagonistic roles. “To be honest, I have felt difficulties for a long time,” Jang Nara stated, initiating her candid discussion. She elaborated on how her appearance frequently enough dictated the types of characters she was considered for, with moast roles leaning towards similar, positive portrayals.
“The characters that come to me are always similar. The standard is always ‘Is there a slightly different role than before?’ It became my criterion in choosing a role,” Jang Nara explained. She further elaborated on the subtle adjustments she has had to make over time to differentiate her performances. “Because I have the face of people who are easily approached, it’s hard to make big changes. So, I have to make small adjustments in a long time period,” she added, as reported by Allkpop.
Beyond the casting limitations, Jang Nara also expressed her anxieties about meeting public expectations. She admitted to worrying that her portrayals might not align with the public’s perception of her as an inherently “good” or “never angry” individual. “I’m very worried about my image and the direction I have to take. Even now, I’m not sure what I have to do in the future,” she confessed. “People expect certain things like ‘He must be very good’ or ‘He will never be angry’. That can be difficult when working.”
Jang Nara concluded her interview with the Dominas team by highlighting how even voicing reasonable concerns could become problematic if it deviated from the public’s established image of her.
This revelation comes after Jang Nara’s significant achievement at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards, where she took home the prestigious Daesang (Grand Prize) for her role as a accomplished divorce lawyer in the Korean drama “Good Partner.” Her win was a testament to her acting prowess, even as she navigates the unique challenges presented by her enduring youthful looks in the competitive South korean entertainment industry. The actress’s willingness to discuss these behind-the-scenes struggles offers a valuable insight into the pressures faced by actors who are often typecast based on their physical appearance.