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Han Da-gam: Back on TV With a Grown-Up Part

Han Da-gam returns to the small screen with the lead in SBS drama "My Dearest Love", who, betrayed by her lover, is determined to get even with him. "She has loved him so deeply that she is hurt deeply", Han told the Chosun Ilbo. "She turns into a venomous woman. But if viewers can identify with her pain, they will understand her".

But the low viewing figures -- a mere half of the ratings of MBC hit drama "Jumong" -- don't matter: what matters is seeing the number of enthusiastic fans increase gradually as the characters come alive.

As evidence, a number of passionate soap buffs crowd its free web board to argue in support of either of the two leads (the man is played by Kim Dong-wan). But both sides praise Han's portrayal of a mother's ardent love for her new-born baby. "We have discovered a different side of Han", one said. The actress says this is only the beginning, and she will surprise them even more when she has a chance to unleash her full anger against her lover.

"My Dearest Love" is often compared with the 1999 SBS drama "Trap of Youth" starring Shim Eun-ha because both deal with a man who abandons his live-in partner for a woman from a rich family. Han does not mind the comparison. Rather, she says that she feels good about being compared with Shim, who is considered one of the finest Korean actresses and still popular long after retiring from TV. When asked if she has ever been dumped in real life, she said, "No, but I can understand how one would feel if it ever happened. As for me, I would rather choose not to cling to a man and forgive him than do everything I can to avenge myself". She adds, "I can understand why Seokju [Kim's part] betrays her. He is a realistic man. Still, I'd be very upset if my boyfriend did that to me".

The actress won an award for excellence at the KBS drama awards with her role in period drama "Seoul 1945", which served as her first recognition as a serious actress rather than a fresh, young face. Whenever Han sees Hwang Jung-eum, the newcomer who appears in the same drama, make a mistake due to her inexperience, it reminds her of the time when she was starting out. "That was the most stressful time in my life…. And I am so happy to have survived", she says.

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