Actress Yoo-mi Lee on 'Mr. Plankton' and Her Unique Character Interpretation

Actress Yoo-mi Lee meets viewers with a new look in the Netflix series "Mr. Plankton". Following her globally acclaimed performance in "Squid Game", where she left a strong impression, she captivates audiences once again in "Mr. Plankton" showcasing another unique personality and charm.

This work depicts the story of Hae-jo (played by Woo-do-hwan), a man accidentally born, and Jaemi (played by Yoo-mi Lee), a woman who embraces life's misfortunes, meeting on a journey and the events that unfold. Beyond romantic comedy, it captures the charm of a sentimental human drama through the backdrop of travel and the depth of emotion.

The Charm of the Unique Character ‘Jaemi’

Yoo-mi Lee / Provided by: Netflix

Jaemi, the character played by Yoo-mi Lee, adds "fun" (Jaemi means fun in Korean) to the work, as her name suggests. In the drama, she never loses her smile no matter the situation, but harbors the burden of being a descendant's wife and the realistic worry of premature menopause. By portraying this complex character, Yoo-mi Lee delivers both laughter and emotion to the viewers.

In particular, her journey of finding her own love on a trip with her ex-boyfriend, Hae-jo, evokes both human warmth and pleasantness. The comical scenes scattered throughout the work shine even brighter through Yoo-mi Lee's delicate acting. Her bold and witty acting, such as biting Hae-jo's nose or a scene where a tooth falls out while she's biting a ring, brings cheerful laughter to the audience.

Yoo-mi Lee's Acting Passion

Yoo-mi Lee said that she deeply immersed herself in the character while preparing for "Mr. Plankton". She said she focused on the situation, striving not to deviate from the character's framework, and carefully approached her performance so that viewers could naturally accept her emotions. This played a significant role in delicately portraying Jaemi's rollercoaster-like emotional changes in the latter half of the drama.

Yoo-mi Lee said that she focused on understanding and expressing the Stockholm Syndrome-like change in her feelings towards Hae-jo. The scenes of their past relationship, filmed towards the end of shooting, further highlighted the affection between Jaemi and Hae-jo.

On-Set Chemistry and Episodes

Woo Do-hwan (left), Yoo-mi Lee (right) / Provided by: Netflix

When asked about the atmosphere on set, Yoo-mi Lee reminisced, "The filming set was always filled with laughter and chatter." She particularly mentioned that her chemistry with Woo-do-hwan and Oh Jung-se was excellent. She explained that Oh Jung-se gave off a warm feeling, like a "roaring" character (referring to a playful or comforting persona), and Woo-do-hwan perfectly embodied Hae-jo's reliability.

Yoo-mi Lee added that their natural chemistry led to many improvisations. For example, the scene where she washes and brings back his sneakers was an improvisation suggested by Oh Jung-se, adding more detail to the work.

The New Look Yoo-mi Lee Dreams Of

Oh Jung-se (left), Yoo-mi Lee (right) / Provided by: Netflix

As a 15-year veteran actress, Yoo-mi Lee has steadily pursued her own acting journey. She said she took on the role of Jaemi because she was drawn to the character's unique charm and wants to showcase diverse aspects of herself in the future. She particularly expressed her desire to play action roles and cool characters like Jeon Do-yeon.

Yoo-mi Lee says that the joy and passion she feels through acting are her greatest driving forces. She added that, unlike her usually fragile paper-doll-like appearance, she displays strong strength only within her roles.

Yoo-mi Lee's Filmography Continues

In "Mr. Plankton", Yoo-mi Lee once again broadened her acting spectrum. Through a unique character, she delivered laughter, emotion, and warmth. Her filmography is filled with diverse charms in each work, raising expectations for the new sides she will show in the future.