For Jeon Yeo Been, her love for acting burns as brightly now as it did when she first discovered the craft in her twenties. Driven by a desire to be a performer audiences can trust, she continues to challenge herself and reflect deeply on her work. Looking ahead, Jeon Yeo Been says she’s ready to give everything she has to her future projects.
Her latest drama, ENA’s Ms. Incognito (written by Hyun Gyu Ri, directed by Park Yoo Young), wrapped on November 4 after a critically and commercially successful run. The series follows Kim Young Ran, a working-class bodyguard who enters a contract marriage with a terminally ill chaebol heir, plunging her into a whirlwind of crime, romance, and suspense. Suddenly thrust into the role of a massive heiress and the target of dangerous rivals, Young Ran’s story explores themes of survival, revenge, and redemption. Jeon Yeo Been captivated viewers with a performance that was both delicate and commanding.
The drama premiered with a modest 2.4% viewership rating, but steadily climbed to 7.1% by the finale—making it ENA’s highest-rated drama of 2024 and the second most-watched series in the network’s history. Jeon Yeo Been expressed her excitement: “The production company promised to send us to Bali if we surpassed 7%. I’m so thrilled to celebrate with the staff who worked so hard. This wouldn’t have been possible without the viewers who supported us every Bu-sday,” she said, referencing the show’s affectionate nickname.
Taking on her first leading role, Jeon Yeo Been admitted she felt both ambition and pressure. “Every project I’ve done has been precious, but with Ms. Incognito, I felt a responsibility not to let anyone down,” she explained. “I wanted to be a source of strength for everyone I worked with.”
She fully immersed herself in Young Ran’s life, empathizing with her struggles. “Young Ran’s life is far from ordinary. She endures harsh days without even realizing her own resilience. To show that, I focused on truly understanding her. I wanted her to feel like a vulnerable, abandoned stray cat—tragic, yet quietly enduring,” Jeon Yeo Been said.
From her physical appearance to her emotional state, Jeon Yeo Been carefully tracked Young Ran’s transformation into Bu Se Mi, gradually discovering a more ordinary life and happiness. “In early episodes, I conveyed her anxiety and intensity—losing weight and using my eyes to communicate her emotions. Later, I wanted her newfound confidence to show in her posture, actions, and wardrobe. The change had to feel natural but powerful,” she explained.
Portraying both Bu Se Mi and Kim Young Ran proved challenging. “The emotions, moods, and attitudes of the Seoul-based group versus the people from Muchang were so different,” Jeon Yeo Been said. “I had to create a strong central axis to navigate between these worlds, while also adapting to the other characters around me.”
Despite the complexity, she emphasized that the message was singular: through the recognition and support of those around her, Young Ran finds her true self and genuine happiness. “She wants to protect herself but has no desire to hurt others. I think that’s because she’s inherently good,” Jeon Yeo Been explained. “Even if she felt unloved, she ultimately discovers a true home and real happiness among people who see her for who she is.”
Reflecting on the concept of goodness, Jeon Yeo Been added, “Being called good has many layers. On one hand, it’s praise for morality and kindness. On the other, it can feel limiting, as if someone’s worth depends on others’ approval. True human goodness, I think, comes from compassion—wanting to help those in difficult situations.”
Looking back, Jeon Yeo Been sees each project as a chance to deepen her craft. “I still consider myself a budding actor, but time has flown. My love for acting is as strong as it was at 20, and I’m constantly thinking about how to use that passion more maturely,” she said. “Acting demands everything—body and soul—but there’s always room to grow. I want to be an actor who strengthens those I work with and someone audiences can trust and rely on.”
