Lee Ha-nui’s Unexpected Journey: Filming ‘The People Upstairs’ While Pregnant – A Story of Resilience and Support
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – In a heartwarming and candid revelation, actress Lee Ha-nui has shared the story of how she navigated filming the upcoming movie ‘The People Upstairs’ while unexpectedly pregnant with her second child. The news, breaking today, offers a glimpse into the dedication of performers and the often-unseen challenges of balancing a career with personal life. This is a developing story, optimized for Google News and SEO indexing to bring you the latest updates.
The Unexpected News and Initial Reactions
Lee Ha-nui, known for her role as Choi Soo-kyung, a psychiatrist, in ‘The People Upstairs’ – a film directed by and starring Ha Jung-woo alongside Gong Hyo-jin and Kim Dong-wook – discovered her pregnancy around six weeks into pre-production. “I was doing acro yoga training for a scene in the movie, but my body felt heavy,” she recounted in a recent interview with Ten Asia. “I took a pregnancy test just in case, but I couldn’t believe the two lines I was seeing.” Initially, joy was tempered by the immediate demands of her filming schedule. “It was hard to be happy because I had a scheduled schedule right away,” she admitted, but quickly added with a laugh, “You know that the scary thing about having a career is that you can do it. I thought, ‘I can produce a healthier child,’ so I fought on my own.”
Battling Morning Sickness and Exhaustion on Set
The early stages of pregnancy brought familiar challenges. Lee Ha-nui openly discussed the debilitating effects of morning sickness and exhaustion. “With food for filming in front of me, my morning sickness got worse and I felt really sleepy. I could feel all my energy going to the blueberry-sized child inside my body.” The film’s compact schedule, requiring early morning starts and late finishes – often a 5:30 AM departure from her Incheon home and a 9:00 PM return – added to the physical strain. To combat fatigue, she employed a variety of techniques, from self-massage to impromptu singing and dancing on set, declaring, “I said, ‘I’m going crazy,’ and did all sorts of things.”
A Circle of Support: Gong Hyo-jin’s Kindness
Lee Ha-nui initially kept her pregnancy a secret, fearing it would disrupt the production. She confided in co-star Gong Hyo-jin midway through filming, who reacted with surprise and immediate support. The assistant director also proved incredibly thoughtful, offering lemon candies to help alleviate her nausea. However, it was Gong Hyo-jin’s unwavering care that Lee Ha-nui emphasized. “I was able to do it happily and generously thanks to Hyojin. She gave me 100% of the credit,” she stated, highlighting the power of female solidarity in the demanding world of filmmaking.
Pregnancy and Career: A Growing Trend and Expert Advice
Lee Ha-nui’s story reflects a growing trend of actresses choosing to continue working during pregnancy. While societal expectations have historically pushed women to prioritize family over career, a shift is occurring, with more and more performers demonstrating that both can coexist. Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading obstetrician specializing in working mothers, notes, “It’s crucial for pregnant performers to prioritize self-care, communicate openly with their employers, and listen to their bodies. Modifications to roles and schedules are often necessary, but with proper support, a healthy and fulfilling pregnancy alongside a career is entirely achievable.” SEO best practices suggest that providing this contextual information enhances article value and search ranking.
‘The People Upstairs’ promises a compelling narrative about inter-floor relationships and marital dynamics. Lee Ha-nui’s personal journey adds another layer of depth to the film, showcasing the resilience and dedication of women in the entertainment industry. Her story is a testament to the fact that life, like filmmaking, often unfolds in unexpected ways, and that with support and determination, anything is possible.
Stay tuned to Archyde for further updates on ‘The People Upstairs’ and exclusive interviews with the cast. Explore our Entertainment section for more breaking news and in-depth features on the world of film and television.
