Ok Ja-yeon has wrapped up the three-month stage run of the play The Effect, finishing with the final performance at NOL Seogyeong Square Scone Hall 2 on the 31st of last month. She held a stage greeting after the show to express her gratitude to the audience.
In the production, Ok Ja-yeon portrays Connie, a psychology student. Through her agency Media LabSiso, she shared that Connie demanded a broad emotional range as the play unfolded. “I was grateful to be able to live as Connie, and I learned a lot from the people I worked with. The play asks questions about human emotions and existence, and I shared many of my concerns with my colleagues. It was a time to learn what love is. I feel like I’ve become a more solid actor, a more complete human being,” she said.
The Effect centers on Connie and Tristan, who take part in a clinical trial for antidepressants, along with Dr. Rona James and Toby Seeley who oversee the test. The Korean production drew attention for its gender-blind casting, a factor that contributed to strong audience interest. Ok Ja-yeon was praised for her nuanced inner portrayal and for fully inhabiting Connie, a character torn between anxious relationships and shifting emotions.
Her performance delicately traced Connie’s emotional trajectory as she moves closer to Tristan, a fellow participant in the experiment. By three-dimensionally navigating the psychology of a person who suspects their feelings may be drug-induced, she delivered a convincing and immersive experience. Audiences afterward described feeling a keen sense of connection to her delivery and the character’s inner turmoil.
Beyond the stage, Ok Ja-yeon has remained active in film and television this year, with roles in this year’s film Fagua, the Disney Plus drama Nine Puzzle, and MBC’s Noh Moo-jin. She was recently selected as a model for the clothing brand Morgan and is expected to continue pursuing both acting and modeling opportunities moving forward.
Additional note: The wrap of The Effect highlights Ok Ja-yeon’s continued growth as a performer and the impact of immersive theater on exploring complex emotions and relationships. Her fans will be watching eagerly for her upcoming projects and the next phase of her career.
Summary: Ok Ja-yeon finished a three-month run of The Effect, delivering a standout portrayal of Connie in a production noted for its gender-blind casting. She expressed gratitude, reflected on lessons about love and humanity, and will continue to pursue acting and modeling work as she looks ahead to new challenges. Positive outlook for her career momentum.