Hwang Jung-eum shoots first new profile photos in 10 years, reflects on embezzlement fallout and career highs

Hwang Jung-eum has taken new profile photos for the first time in 10 years, marking a formal return to active work mode.

She reunited with the same makeup artist she's worked with for 20 years since her debut. Back in her rookie days, she insisted circle lenses and tint were non-negotiable. She brought both back for the shoot.

Casting offers came without pause after Rooftop Prince (지붕뚫고 하이킥) made her the first-choice pick for every drama in production. Then she was candid about what stopped it: "Until the unfortunate embezzlement incident, casting requests never stopped." (A self-referential dig dropped into the middle of a nostalgia-heavy shoot.)

Ji Sung (지성) taught her melodrama technique during Kill Me, Heal Me (킬미, 힐미). On the set of She Was Pretty (그녀는 예뻤다), heavy blush makeup left her feeling low until co-star Ko Joon-hee (고준희) stepped in with encouragement. She mentioned her on-screen chemistry with Choi Si-won (최시원) and Park Seo-jun (박서준). She also pushed through filming Rooftop Prince while sick with H1N1 without taking a break.

Her most cherished role is Kang Yu-jung (강유정) from Secret (비밀). "It was a work that helped me overcome my limitations in emotional acting and achieve my own goals," she said.

After wrapping the shoot, Hwang said she "realized again where I should be in front of the camera" and pledged to show her natural self going forward, with genuine activities planned ahead.