Nam Ji Hyun discusses her public image as a 'happy, pure, and healthy' star

What does actress Nam Ji Hyun think about her public image as a 'happy, pure, and healthy' person?

Debuted as a child actress in 2004, Nam Ji Hyun has mainly played characters who are upbeat and energetic. Regarding her image, she stated, "I think that image is expected...[Viewers] have watched me since I was younger, and I played a lot of those characters, so I think it makes sense for that image to continue until my early adulthood." 

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She also mentioned the limitation of the roles an actress in her early 20s can play. She explained, "It is true that most of the roles at this age are 'between girlhood and womanhood' type or happy and energetic ones. I am too young to play professionals, so not only because of my image, but because of my age, I usually play a college student or an average woman."  

However, the actress said that she feels no rush to break the image. Nam Ji Hyun added, "I don't feel that I need to escape this image or need to break it, because as I get older, I will have more roles to play, and I will be chosen to play those roles. All I need to do right now is to prepare for them and to work hard where I am at." 

She did say that her public image is not too different from her real personality, though. She said, "I am similar to my public image. I like saying what I think clearly, and I try to think positively and simply."