[Note] Drama "Decoy": Lee Elijah
This is an interview with Elijah Lee, who appears as an article investigating a fraud case in the six-episodes thriller drama 'Decoy', which will be released on January 27, 2023 as coupangplay .
Cheon Na-yeon of <Decoy>, played by Lee Elijah, is a former fraud victim of Noh Sang-cheon (Heo Seong-tae) and a reporter who has been digging into the truth of the fraud case. As can be seen from the dozens of business cards he carries, Cheon Na-yeon gets the necessary information in her own way and moves toward her goal.
In the meantime, Lee Elijah has also collected business cards of various occupations as well as Cheon Na-yeon. Seoul Central District Court civil affairs division 44 stenographer (<Miss Hammurabi>), a member of the National Assembly 6th grade secretary (<The Aide: People Make The World Go Round>), and a social affairs reporter at Jeonghan Ilbo (<The Good Detective>).
In <Decoy>, Cheon Na-yeon stands out for her willingness and attitude to reveal hidden secrets rather than her appearance as a reporter. 10 years after her debut, she met Elijah Lee, an actress who is rising once again with her passion and earnestness like Cheon Na-yeon.
- When you read the script for <Decoy>, what attracted you?
= There are times when actors always have to wait vaguely for something, right? I wait with anticipation for what kind of life will come to me this time. Taking on a role feels like a certain character choosing me rather than my choice. When I read the script for <Decoy>, it was actually a bit difficult. The emotions contained in the script were too deep because Nayeon's entire family was greatly damaged and hurt by Sangcheon Noh's fraud. I had a lot of worries about whether I could fully digest this emotion, but tears came to my eyes the whole time I was reading the script. I already felt Nayeon's loneliness and pain emotionally, and this time I thought that Nayeon's life had come to me. It was a car that I personally thought I had to work hard on, so it fit well with Nayeon's firm and strong mind to reveal the truth.
- Internet media reporter Cheon Na-yeon carries business cards of various occupations and actively tries to intervene in the issue. How did she try to show the character?
= Nayeon is a person who is immersed. I wanted to outwardly reveal that I was a person who was immersed in one clear goal of uncovering fraudulent crimes. A person who is immersed in something cannot wear clothes or shoes. I didn't even dry my hair while filming. I tried to show how strong Nayeon's will is through her eyes and tone of voice.
- In <Decoy>, the story progresses as the time of the past and the present intersects. Cheon Na-yeon is also a link between the fraud case of Noh Sang-cheon in the past and the current detective who saved the Metropolitan Investigation Team (Jang Keun-suk). What do you see as Cheon Na-yeon's role in the big story?
= <Decoy> is not a drama that represents or persuades evil, but a story about good intentions. Some say the victims were greedy and scammed, but among the victims are ordinary people who just dreamed of a better life. Nayeon thought that she would be a character who symbolizes goodwill in the drama, and it would be nice if she was a character that viewers could sympathize with and support. In the past, she played a reporter for a major media company or an aide to the National Assembly. At that time, she tried to express her professional image, but this time she tried to reveal the story of Nayeon and her inner strength. Fraud cases are distinctly different from murder cases, but too many sick people are left unattended because of that difference. While Gu Do-han focuses solely on the murder case, Na-yeon tells her to listen to the voices of the victims. She thinks Nayeon is so she became a reporter.
- As I just mentioned, I have played professional people who work well in various backgrounds such as reporters, aides, and stenography officers. Do people expect a strong and sharp image from you, or do you prefer such a character as an actor?
= Because they were things I was able to show in the given opportunity, I cannot say that I have a particular orientation or preference. I am not an extrovert in my usual interests or activities. It looks old-fashioned, but he enjoys reading and the only outdoor activity he enjoys is dog walking. Since this tendency has gradually been condensed since my 20s, I think people who see me think I can play that role well. The character and tendency so far are not the same as mine. A bright person is right, but he hides his face a lot. I'm envious of extroverted people, but I'm just content with myself.
- It's been 10 years since you debuted. From villains to various professions, he is showing more and more colorful acting. Looking back on the past, what do you feel has changed the most?
= The way you look at me has changed. (Laughter) In the past, I mainly played villain roles, so when people who didn't speak to me looked at me, they looked at me and thought, 'He's probably like that'. I didn’t play a lot of villain roles when I was in my 20s, but even when I said a word, people around me would pay attention. But these days, if you do a good job in a villain role, you get praise instead. Through variety shows, I reveal myself outside of acting, and through my appearances in <Miss Hammurabi> and <The Aide: People Make The World Go Round>, I feel like people see me as I am now. Thanks to that, I think I got a chance to meet various roles.