Actress Priyanka Mohan stars in the recently released Netflix film Made in Korea. For the film’s shoot, the actress stayed in South Korea for over 40 days. Speaking about her experience of working in the country, known for producing global icons with a strong fan base in India, Priyanka said the shoot came with its own challenges.
Priyanka Mohan on challenges of shooting in Korea
Talking to IANS, the actress said that food was one of the two main challenges she faced during the shoot. “Food was quite a problem for me because they put red meat in most dishes,” she said. When asked if she was a vegetarian, she replied, “I am mostly vegetarian, but now I eat a little bit of chicken.”
The other challenge, she said, was the unpredictable weather. “You could have the sun shining in the morning, rain in the afternoon and snow by night. Shooting in such dynamic weather conditions was quite challenging,” she explained.
Despite the difficulties, Priyanka said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and working with Korean actors. She even admitted to feeling withdrawal symptoms after the shoot ended. “This was my first international collaboration, and the Korean artistes are very down-to-earth. They rehearse well before the actual take, which is something we don’t usually do. The Korean actor who plays the grandmother in the film was very enthusiastic. I bonded so well with everyone that I felt withdrawal symptoms after completing the shoot and returning home,” she said.
Talking about the story, Priyanka said, “The film revolves around a girl from a small village in Tamil Nadu who hasn’t seen the world beyond her horizon. While playing Shenba, I felt like I was experiencing Korea through her journey. This was possible because of director Ra. Karthik’s guidance and the way the entire crew made me feel comfortable.”
She also recalled learning the Korean word “Kamsahamnida,” which means “thank you”. “Every day after the shoot, the crew would bow and say those words,” she said.
About Made in Korea
The story follows Shenbagam, or Shenba, a young woman from a small town in Tamil Nadu who dreams of travelling to Korea. When she unexpectedly finds herself in Seoul, she faces challenges that push her on a journey of resilience, self-discovery and new connections.
Apart from Priyanka Mohan, the film also features South Korean actors Park Hye-jin, known for Squid Game, and No Ho-jin in pivotal roles.
