Nam Gyu-ri delivered a passionate performance as Kang Hyun-chae in the MBC drama ″Kairos.″ In the series, Kang Hyun-chae is a violinist married to construction company executive Kim Seo-jin, whose life is turned upside down by the kidnapping of her daughter. Nam Gyu-ri added depth to the character, portraying a complex sociopath involved in an affair with her husband’s right-hand man, Seo Do-gyun, and grappling with a failed attempt to murder her father.

Reflecting on her experience filming with Ahn Bo-hyun, Nam Gyu-ri described it as joyful. She noted his self-discipline and passionate personality, emphasizing his diligent preparation. The kiss scene in episode 4, which was added at the director’s request, surprised her with its intensity.

Nam Gyu-ri expressed gratitude for her collaboration with Shin Sung-rok, highlighting his consideration during emotionally charged scenes. She appreciated how he maintained a respectful distance while she immersed herself in the grief of losing her child. Her performance in ″Kairos″ showcased a wide range of emotions, and she was drawn to the character of Kang Hyun-chae despite initial concerns about convincing viewers.

Debuting with the group SeeYa in 2006, Nam Gyu-ri transitioned to acting in 2010, gaining recognition through roles in SBS’s ″Life is Beautiful″ and ″49 Days,″ KBS2’s ″Haeundae Lovers,″ and JTBC’s ″Cruel City.″ After a hiatus, she received acclaim for her mature acting in MBC’s ″Red Moon Blue Sun″ in 2018 and ″Different Dreams″ last year.

Her experience in ″Kairos″ sparked her attraction to the independent and resilient nature of women. She admitted to having a strange yearning for villainous roles and was intrigued by the show’s ″time-crossing″ theme. Playing Kang Hyun-chae was emotionally demanding, and she acknowledged the physical challenges it presented.

Nam Gyu-ri shared, ″I felt both pleasure and guilt over Hyun-chae’s madness,″ revealing that she visited the emergency room three times during filming. She was pleased to see her acting align with the director’s vision while watching the drama.

Despite her success, Nam Gyu-ri feels the weight of being labeled a ″former singer.″ She believes that sincere emotions resonate with audiences and is confident that her continued efforts will lead to recognition. She expressed regret over the recent failure of the SeeYa reunion and her desire to balance both singing and acting.

″Singing and acting are inseparable soulmates,″ she stated, expressing her wish to release a song recorded for her fans, although the timing isn’t ideal. Through ″Kairos,″ she earned the nickname ″an actress with a twist″ and hopes to portray characters with a brighter, more human side in the future. Nam Gyu-ri aspires to radiate positive energy, saying, “I want to be a good actor and a good person.”