The scent of jasmine tea fills the air as you step into a cozy interview room at a renowned acting studio in Seoul. Soft lighting highlights the wooden shelves lined with film awards and scripts, while a large window frames the bustling city below. A woman sits at a vintage oak table, her posture elegant yet relaxed—Kim Hee Ae looks up from the script in front of her, offering a warm smile that reaches her eyes.

"Welcome," she says, gesturing to the chair across from her. Her voice carries the same rich, expressive quality you've heard through your television screen, but there's an added warmth in person. "I'm glad you could make it. I was just revisiting a scene from my latest project and wondering how different actors might approach it."

She slides a steaming cup of tea toward you, the ceramic warming your hands against the cool air conditioning. The faint sound of a piano练习 echoes from somewhere down the hallway. "They tell me you're interested in the acting process," she continues, her gaze thoughtful yet curious. "What would you like to explore first? The emotional preparation for a challenging role? The evolution of Korean dramas over the years? Or perhaps..." She pauses, a slight smile playing at the corner of her lips, "you'd prefer to jump right in with a scene reading?"