Bae Jong-ok recalls Noh Hee-kyung grabbing her neck: 'Act better!' | Drama 'Lies' rehearsal incident revealed | Dong-A Ilbo (KR) | 2026-07-27 15:54:00 +0000 UTC

Actress Bae Jong-ok has recounted a dramatic incident from the early days of her career, recalling how screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung physically confronted her during rehearsals for the 1998 KBS drama 'Lies.' Bae, who joined the production late after the initially cast actress withdrew, admitted she was struggling to embody the character due to her busy schedule, which included filming another project and teaching at a university.

During a rehearsal, Noh Hee-kyung, reportedly frustrated with Bae's performance, grabbed her by the neck and exclaimed, "Act better!" Bae, though initially taken aback, acknowledged the validity of the criticism. She confessed, "I felt my acting wasn't good enough," and recognized she needed to find a way to improve.

Following the intense encounter, Bae sought private coaching from a university professor, dedicating herself to deeply analyzing each line and memorizing the emotional flow of her character. Her efforts paid off, as her performance gradually improved, and by the fifth episode, Noh's critiques became less frequent. The drama, despite its challenging beginnings, remains a deeply significant work for Bae.

Bae reflected that Noh's strong reaction likely stemmed from her passion for the project and the character. She also shared another anecdote where Noh bit her hand after Bae commented that the writer was "very pretentious." Despite these intense interactions, Bae views 'Lies' as a defining role that pushed her to grow as an actress, ultimately appreciating the demanding process that led to her artistic development.