This is how Rui En, who is not a fan of K-dramas, got into character for Mediacorp’s K-drama-inspired Oppa Saranghae!
Nothing that a little YouTube can't help.
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Sure, at first glance, new Mediacorp drama Oppa Saranghae! seems out of this world — pulling your favourite K-drama oppa out of your television?! And then dating him? Really?!
But dig just a little deeper, and you’ll find that there’s more depth to the shoiw, as Rui En, 42, tells us in an interview after Oppa Saranghae!’s press conference last month.
“[When executive producer] Molby [Low] called me, he described [Rui En’s character, Qi Qi] as a career woman who is dealing with aging, and I think beyond all the K-drama elements, beyond the fact that there's a Korean actor and all, that was the thing that jumped out at me," said Rui En.
"I agreed [to do the show] without seeing the script or knowing who the male lead was 'cos I felt that it's so relatable, and that it's such a real issue,” she added.
Indeed, the drama gets into things real quick, and we dive headfirst —just like how Du Xiao Jun (played by Kim Jae Hoon, also known as Kimkim), gets pulled out of his My Love From The Star-esque drama world and into Qi Qi’s arms — into a sobering mix of office politics and ageism.

But even though Oppa Saranghae! pays heavy homage to a number of K-dramas and even parodies some of the genre's iconic scenes, Rui En tells us that she is not a fan of K-dramas.
And it’s not for a lack of trying.
"I'm not a K-drama person at all,” Rui En says, adding that her friends have recommended her some of the biggest K-drama hits, from Crash Landing On You to Itaewon Class, and that she's given them a go.
"I tried to watch one episode, but I just couldn't continue. I've just never been into K-dramas. I’m into older Korean cinema, like Old Boy, and Sympathy For Lady Vengeance.” she says.
Hmm... maybe she’ll enjoy The Glory. But we digress.

8 DAYS: Did you find it hard to get into character for Oppa Saranghae! since you’re not a fan of K-dramas?
RUI EN: Oh, totally. There were certain scenes where they referenced some famous K-drama scenes, and I literally had to get the director to show them to me on YouTube, so that I know what they were talking about. There are certain elements in the show where they're just parodying K-dramas, which I found quite smart and funny.
Speaking of memorable scenes from the drama, the showgirl scene in the first episode is great!
Oh my gosh! When I got the script and read the scene, I'm not sure if they thought I'd be offended or whatever, but I just thought it was so clever and witty to compare a working female to someone who has to sing and dance for the entertainment of the client.
And I think… you can relate to that too right? Having to put on a song and dance just to entertain people, and sort of put up a front. There have been times when I'm working that I actually felt that way, especially with what we do [as celebs]. I just loved the scene lah.
It was mentioned that you provided the vocals for the song that you sang in the scene too. It’s been a while since we’ve heard you sing. Are there plans to release a full-length version of that song?
I guess if the reaction is good, why not? It's originally a Hokkien song, a very famous Hokkien song, but obviously we can't do Hokkien [songs on television], so we did it in Mandarin. I think if you ask the uncles and aunties [who are familiar with the song], it might sound a little bit off, but I actually enjoyed it.

It’s been a while since your last project [2021’s The Heartland Hero], is there anything you’re working on for 2023?
I’ve just been focusing on my social media. I think after The Heartland Hero, a lot of changes happened in my life, including my management and my dad. I've just been very grateful for the time and space to be able to process these things, and also just finding my footing regarding self management, and a completely new phase in my life and career. It's been a learning journey, and a rather steep learning curve. But I wouldn't change it for the world lah.
Speaking of social media, you’ve done a couple of short series on IG.
I'm actually thinking of doing more 'cos I'm very passionate about mental health issues. Someone brought it up, and I'm still toying [with the idea] to do a podcast about mental health. I've just been trying to find my niche social media-wise... but I'm still thinking about it lah.
Maybe something like Jean Danker's podcast, R U Okay? which you appeared on previously?
I loved being on that! I think it would be something like that, but I'm not sure if it would be celeb based. Maybe expert guests and everyday people instead.

You’ve been doing quite a bit of travelling too.
I'll be going to New Zealand a lot simply 'cos my dad is there. After Covid, I think there was a realisation that I don't have a lot of time left with him, and I don't want to regret not spending more time with him. So I've kind of committed to seeing him on a yearly basis in New Zealand.
Is he doing better after his health scare in 2021?
He's doing so well, he made some lifestyle changes, including to his diet, and that helped a lot.
How was your road trip with him? Will you guys be doing more of that?
We did a road trip for one week. I think my dad is even more of a [homebody] than me.
After one week, he was just like, 'Hey, look, I kind of don't want to do this anymore, I just want to stay at home.’ (laughs)
So after that one week, he was kind of out of the picture 'cos he found it very tiring. I'll just see him on a yearly basis, spend some time with him, and probably do my own travels and my own side trips while there.
Photos: Kelvin Chia, Mediacorp, Rui En/Instagram
Catch the first episode of Oppa Saranghae! below. All episodes are now available on meWATCH. You can also catch it weekdays 9pm on Ch 8 from April 12 onwards.