Just when 2021 started – this girl’s photos made rounds in social media pages, shared by fans captioned with the Filipino favorite expression: “Sana all!”
Who wouldn’t wish or hope to be in Noreen Joyce Guerra’s shoes? She is currently enjoying an extra special career gaining a lot of attention from fellow Filipinos after learning that she is a background actor for the popular romantic comedy “True Beauty” playing as one of the students of the fictional Saebom High School.
With barely a thousand followers on Instagram, Noreen Joyce’s fans shot up to 15,000 this January alone. She also started a new Facebook and Youtube page because of the increasing number of fans who add her up, send messages and want to get to know her.
Like the main character Lim Ju Gyeong, Noreen Joyce has had her share of being teased and ridiculed while growing up in the Philippines. Once called “petite”, “dark-skinned” and “ugly” – Noreen shares that this contributed to her low self-esteem in her earlier years, almost like Ju Gyeong struggling to reveal her bare face to anyone.
In a two-part interview series with Palawan Daily News, Noreen Joyce shares her life being an extra, her favorite hallyu stars and her journey of discovering her true beauty.
Kdrama fans are raving to discover you’ve played bit roles in so many popular dramas already. But before we go into that, please tell us about your childhood.
Noreen Joyce: I was born in Roxas City, Capiz, Western Visayas. I have 1 human sibling (younger brother) and 5 dog siblings. I graduated from University of the Philippines – Visayas, Iloilo City campus. I am a graduate of Business Administration major in Marketing and was recognized as Top 10 Marketing Students in the Philippines in 2010 and National Agora Youth Awardee for Marketing.
Did you already figure out at a young age that you love acting?
No. I am actually an introvert and I don’t really like standing in front of other people. I have stage fright too! I have very low confidence because when I was young, I got teased a lot of times that I was ugly, dark-skinned and petite! Hahaha! Acting was not even on my list.
When and how did you move to South Korea?
I moved to South Korea in September 2015 to pursue my Masters in Business Administration. I got into a scholarship given by my school (Sookmyung Women’s University). I wasn’t a government scholar so the scholarship was only 75% of the tuition. Given so, I still had to pay for the 25%. And it was so expensive I remember! Hahaha!
What is your current setup and work now?
– I am working full time as a Manager in a Financial company in South Korea and working part time on weekends and holiday for drama/movie shoots and commercials.
Can you describe an ordinary day at work?
– As mentioned, I work full time in a Korean company, so I wake up at 8:30am (Work starts at 10am), get ready for work. Eat lunch at 12:30 – 1:30pm and go home at 6:30pm.
– On weekends, depending on the call time (mostly 5am, even earlier than that). The night before, you must prepare your clothes to be used in the shoot (except for uniforms like school, professional profession, etc.) as well as food, water, candies, battery charger, etc. During winter you must prepare hot packs, heaters, etc. because you will be outside for hours. Depending on the length of the shoot, you sometimes go home at night or midnight.
Which character you played is the most similar to your character?
– As a High school student. I do not like wearing high-heels or fitting costumes or coats or business attire. It is comfortable because they give out clothes at the set, you can goof around and act as natural you can be.
Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
– Working with Top Korean Stars that I grew up watching like Song Hye Kyo, Kim Tae Hee, Ji Sung, Hyun Bin, and other veteran actors.
Tell us about a time when there’s a role you wanted and didn’t get, or a project that didn’t turn out to be how you hoped it could be.
– There is a lot. I always wanted to get casted as a Filipino or represent the Philippines as Filipino in a drama but did not have the chance to do it yet. Btw, I ONLY get Korean roles in dramas! T_T
– I also wanted to be part of the drama “Start Up” or “Beauty Inside” but was not able to do so because of conflict in schedules.
Who are your role models in the Korean entertainment industry and why?
– Seo Hyun Jin & Mun Ka Young.
For Seo Hyun Jin Sunbaenim, she is a really good actress and I heard she is very outgoing, and I like all the roles she portrayed so far.
As for Mun Ka Young, she is really kind (even off-cam), down to earth, very professional and has a bright personality. Very pretty too on and off cam. She also speaks English and German fluently and is very intelligent.
Who is the actor or actress that’s more good-looking in real life?
– Actor: Hyun Bin, Kim Seon Ho, Park Bo Gum, Ji Sung
– Actress: Mun Ka Young, Song Hye Kyo, Lee Se Young
How would you describe 2020?
-Very challenging because I couldn’t go home in the Philippines and sleep in my bed with my dogs. But it was also a year that enabled me to look after myself better.
What’s your spirit animal?
– Dog and Panda? Dog because I am a very active person, I don’t want to be locked up for days. I always find activities to do. Panda because I can hibernate and sleep for long hours on a rest day!
In your journey in the Korean entertainment industry, what are the toughest things in the past two years to overcome? – Frankly speaking, I am just an extra. Literally a background extra. If you go to the location, you are just in the bottom of the pyramid. You do not have your own voice, or you cannot make decisions on your own when you are at the location. You just follow the orders given by the production. Therefore, If the scene requires you to be out in the cold, or in a broad daylight on summer, then you have to! The industry itself is physically tiring.
What are your dream roles?
My dream is to play a role representing our country, it is of great pride to be recognized as a Filipino and change the perception of Filipinos in South Korea. I am hopeful in getting small roles and see my name in the end credits! J
What top tips do you have for those who dream of joining the Korean entertainment industry?
– Work Hard. Study Hard. Hard work really pays off! And a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so if you want something, you must work hard to be able to reach your goal because in the end, there is no one to help you but yourself.
What are your 2021 plans?
Go home in the Philippines for vacation, eat a lot of Filipino food and play with my dogs!
What message do you want to send out to young Filipinas who are struggling with insecurities about their bodies?
I’ve never been particular about looks I don’t take the teasing personally because they don’t know me as a person. Of course, when I was younger, I felt bad. But I used it as an inspiration to become a better version of myself.
What is your message to your followers?
– I did not expect that a lot of people would notice me and get inspired by what I do because I was just an extra in dramas (not even a minor role). I want to say THANK YOU to the people who notice me, supports me, and appreciate the things that I do. Thank you so much to everyone. Hope to see you all soon!
We hope to see Noreen Joyce in more projects too and for representing every Kdrama fan girl’s dream! Follow her on Facebook Page: Joyce in Korea Instagram: @joyce_in_korea or Subscribe to her Youtube Channel: JOYCE IN KOREA for long videos and more. //