Actress Cho Hye-jung has broken a long silence and has showcased a strong presence on the global stage, while her changed appearance has also become a topic of discussion.

Cho Hye-jung was officially invited as the lead actress of the drama "Fasting Love" at the 8th Cannes International Series Festival recently held in France, where she stood on the pink carpet.

Additionally, she captivated attention with a pure yet mature aura as her chubby cheeks had slimmed down. With an appeal different from her previous cuteness, her appearance on the pink carpet left a deep impression on international fans.

Cho Hye-jung also revealed the behind-the-scenes of gaining weight for "Fasting Love." Experiencing natural weight loss amidst the tight filming schedule, she shared a unique experience of where the reality of the drama and her actual life intersected.

Recently, a video titled "I entered the fasting center, lost weight, and also fell in love" was posted on Cho Hye-jung's YouTube channel. In the video, Cho Hye-jung noted, "I didn’t actually enter a fasting center, but since the background of the story is a fasting center, I gained weight at the request of the director and the writer to preserve the reality."

She expressed with a smile, "Before entering, I prepared various foods to eat, and my face was so swollen that it really felt heavy." However, she added, "Thanks to the immersion in the role and the tight schedule, I actually lost weight to the point that my pants fell off later."

In particular, she revealed behind-the-scenes information that she memorized lines and melodies even during mealtimes for singing scenes in the drama. Cho Hye-jung stated, "There were times I prioritized practice over meals," showing her sincerity towards acting.

"Fasting Love" was officially invited to the Korean Fiction institutional sector of the festival, where it held a screening, and Cho Hye-jung displayed another presence by naturally communicating with fans in fluent English on-site.

The drama "Fasting Love" depicts the story of youth with a dream of becoming a singer, set against the backdrop of a fasting center. Cho Hye-jung played the role of the virtual singer "Jisoo", delicately unraveling inner growth and conflict, leading the story. Notably, this screening was the world premiere, and the responses that followed were enthusiastic.

A local official noted, "Cho Hye-jung proved herself as a lead actress not only through her acting but also with her genuine attitude and active communication with fans," adding, "She particularly left a strong impression on audiences in their teens and twenties."

In an interview, Cho Hye-jung expressed, "I still can't believe the invitation. The past days I have endured flashed before my eyes like a panorama," and said, "I want to be recognized by my name now. I will work harder to convey sincerity through acting."

At one time, he was overshadowed by the label of being "the daughter of Jo Jae-hyun." Her father, actor Jo Jae-hyun, halted activities after being embroiled in the #MeToo controversy in 2018, and has since not been seen in public. There were uncomfortable gazes directed toward Cho Hye-jung as well. However, she quietly honed her acting skills after a long hiatus and eventually proved her own path on the global stage at Cannes.

[Photo] Cho Hye-jung SNS

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