Despite Its Massive Success, This Actress Wanted Her Drama to Fail Amid ‘Bad Acting’ Criticism

An actress who starred in a drama that once peaked at 15.5% ratings has finally opened up about the harsh criticism she faced over her acting. She admitted, “It was the first time I ever wished for my own drama to fail.”

The actress in question is Hwang Jung-eum, a former member of the girl group Sugar. On the March 4 episode of SBS Plus and E Channel’s variety show Because I’m Single, Hwang candidly discussed her past struggles with acting criticism.

Referring to her performance in the 2012 MBC medical drama Golden Time, she confessed, “I really was a terrible actress. I was so embarrassed, I felt so foolish... My self-esteem hit rock bottom. That was the first time I ever wished for one of my projects to flop.”

She continued, “I was so obsessed with ratings, I felt like I was risking my life for them. But looking back, I realize how foolish that was. I cried a lot on set and learned that I had a responsibility not to let others down.”

Determined to improve, Hwang said, “I practiced non-stop, 24/7. I had never studied so hard for anything in my life, but I did it with my scripts. I sought out every renowned acting coach I could find.”

Fellow actress Yoon Se-ah, who was also on the show, was deeply moved by Hwang’s honesty. “Her sincerity is so touching. It takes immense courage to open up like this. She’s putting into words something most people wouldn’t dare to admit,” she said.

Golden Time: A Drama With Stellar Ratings and Tough Criticism

Hwang Jung-eum rose to fame with the 2009-2010 sitcom High Kick Through the Roof, which earned her the Best New Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards. She continued her successful streak with dramas like Giant, Can You Hear My Heart?, and Kill Me, Heal Me. However, despite Golden Time’s strong ratings, she struggled to keep up with the powerhouse cast and was met with criticism over her performance.

Originally airing on MBC in 2012, Golden Time was a 23-episode medical drama that depicted the intense and high-stakes world of trauma surgeons. Directed by Kwon Seok-jang and written by Choi Hee-ra, the series also had Coffee Prince director Lee Yoon-jung joining as a co-director.

The drama boasted a stellar lineup, including the late Lee Sun-kyun, Lee Sung-min, Song Sun-mi, Kim Sa-kwon, and Kim Ki-bang, who delivered compelling performances. It maintained double-digit ratings throughout its run, capturing audiences with its gripping medical cases and emotional depth.

Hwang Jung-eum’s Career Beyond Golden Time

Hwang made her transition from idol to actress after leaving Sugar in 2004. Since then, she has built an extensive filmography, starring in She Was Pretty, Lucky Romance, Mystic Pop-up Bar, and more. Despite past criticism, she has continued to evolve as an actress, proving her resilience and dedication to her craft.