Singer and actress Jang Na Ra has candidly shared her long-standing struggles with the public perception of her youthful appearance.
On July 23, the YouTube channel DOMINAS released a video titled 'She’s 43?! A Sweet Day Out with Eternal Youth Icon Jang Na Ra | Na Ra's Sweet Dream Ep.1.' In the video, the 43-year-old star opened up about the burdens that come with being known for her baby-faced image.
When asked whether she ever felt pressured by people constantly commenting on her youthful looks, Jang responded honestly, saying, “To be honest, it’s been very difficult for a long time.”
She explained that the roles she was offered were often limited due to her appearance. “The characters that came my way were always similar. The standard was always, ‘Isn’t there a role just a little different from the last one?’ That became my criteria for choosing roles,” she said. “Because I have a very approachable face, it’s been hard to make big changes. So I’ve had to make small adjustments over a long period of time.”
Jang revealed that she’s spent years wrestling with how the public sees her. “I’ve worried a lot about my image and what direction to take. Even now, I’m not sure what to do moving forward,” she admitted, highlighting the psychological burden of meeting others’ expectations.
She also spoke about how people’s preconceived notions can be a challenge in her professional life. “People expect certain things, like ‘She must be really nice,’ or ‘She’ll never get angry,’” she said. “That can be tough when working. Even if I voice a legitimate concern, if it doesn’t match the image people have of me, it becomes a problem.”
Born in 1981, Jang Na Ra debuted as a singer in 2001 with her first album 'Burying My Face in Tears.' Since then, she has built a successful dual career in both music and acting, becoming one of Korea’s most beloved entertainers.
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