Kang Mina's Horror Comeback: Actress Returns to Acting

Actress Kang Mina, formerly of the group I.O.I, stated that her absence from their 10th-anniversary activities is "to focus on her acting career." A press conference for the Netflix series 'Girigo' was held on the 21st at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Director Park Yun-seo, along with actors Jeon So-young, Kang Mina, Hyun Woo-seok, Lee Hyo-je, and Noh Jae-won, attended the event.

The Netflix series 'Girigo' tells the story of high school students who struggle to escape a curse from the wish-granting app 'Girigo,' after being foretold of their sudden deaths. Kang Mina plays 'Nari,' a realist who doesn't believe in the curse of the 'Girigo' app. She said, "I had kept my hair short for several years before filming this project, but I prepared long, straight hair. Honestly, I'm quite timid and can't watch horror movies well, but I prepared myself mentally to not bat an eye on set."

I.O.I was a project group formed through Mnet's 'Produce 101' in 2016 and debuted in May of the same year. I.O.I received immense love with hit songs like 'Very Very Very' and 'Downpour,' officially concluding their activities after a concert in January 2017. While I.O.I is set to make a comeback with a new album on May 19th to celebrate their 10th anniversary, Kang Mina will not be participating in the activities.

Kang Mina added, "It was a regrettable decision not to be able to participate in the I.O.I 10th-anniversary project," and "​However, it was my decision to first focus on my acting activities that were already scheduled. I feel apologetic to the fans, and I am working hard to show them a better side of myself by concentrating on my acting. I hope they will look upon me kindly and with affection."

'Girigo' is an 8-episode series and will be released worldwide on the 24th. Director Park Yun-seo stated that he considered adding various genre elements such as occult, action, and school drama, in addition to traditional horror, to ensure the audience wouldn't get bored. He also explained that they strived to showcase Korean elements and that the curse originating from a modern-day mobile app would be something viewers could universally relate to.