Global fashion and beauty magazine Cosmopolitan has unveiled its December covers featuring actor Mun Ka Young and Italian high-end jewelry maison Damiani.
An interview followed the photo shoot. Mun began by looking back on 2026. “I usually keep myself busy with work throughout the year. This year was no different. It felt like I went straight from one year to the next without a break since Once We Were Us premiered on December 31st.” The film drew about 2.5 million moviegoers this year and won widespread affection from audiences.
Asked about the feelings she still has for her character, Jeong Won, Mun recalled, “I love the final scene where the two say goodbye at the airport. I still remember what it was like filming that scene. After the movie came out, I traveled to meet audiences at promotional events. Seeing their reactions felt like looking in a mirror because I saw so many different sides of Jeong Won in them. Some people cried, while others were reminded of someone from their own lives.”
She continued, “It was also my first feature film as an adult where I played the lead role, so it means a lot to me. Koo Kyo Hwan always said that the audience completes a film, and I never forgot those words. We worked hard to make the film and share it with the world. Seeing so many people connect with it felt like taking my first steps as an actor.” She laughed, showing how much the project still means to her.
Even as she looks back on a busy year, Mun is currently immersed in filming her new project, Whale Star. Speaking about her character, Heo Sua, she said, “Since the story is set in a different era, I feel like I’m living in the 1920s these days. So much about life was different back then, including the emotions people experienced. But I believe love and the desire for freedom are universal, no matter the time period. I feel so lucky to have met Sua above all. How often do you get the chance to play someone who lived 100 years ago?”
Asked what she would like to praise herself for as the year draws to a close, Mun said, “This year marks my 20th anniversary in the industry. I think I’ve become more comfortable with myself, which has helped me see people and relationships more clearly. I also feel like I have more room to slow down and breathe. I’m happy that I’ve learned to take an extra moment to appreciate nature.”
At the end of the interview, Mun was asked what one sentence she would leave herself at year’s end. “It’s over! I believe in letting go of the past. There’s no point in constantly looking back, whether the memories are good or bad. If I make a mistake, I take time to reflect on it and then move on. This year was wonderful, and I had many great moments, but they’re all behind me now. I guess I’m pretty strict about that,” she said with a smile.
Cosmopolitan’s December issue is available at bookstores nationwide. The issue can also be found on the magazine’s website and official social media channels.
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