Nam Kwon Ah, who gained recognition for her role as the quirky housekeeper in the hit Netflix drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines," recently shared details about her unusual audition experience, which she initially found "sketchy". In a May 13 interview on the One Mic YouTube channel, Nam recounted the events that led to her career-defining role.

The casting notice arrived late at night, around 10 or 11 p.m., which immediately raised concerns for Nam. "I thought, 'Why is an audition happening this late? Is this sketchy?'" she recalled. Despite her reservations, Nam decided to trust the project due to the involvement of well-known actors IU and Park Bo Gum.

Upon arriving at the audition, Nam was surprised to find an unconventional setting. "There were no cameras," she explained. "Usually, there is an assistant director and people next to you that give you lines. But the director was alone. It was my first time experiencing something like this". This contrasted sharply with her previous audition experiences, making the situation feel surreal.

Despite her initial misgivings and the unusual atmosphere, Nam decided to proceed with the audition. She worked directly with the director, running through lines and receiving personalized feedback. "We ran through some lines together, and he kept saying things like, 'Try this part differently,' or 'How about this?' I remember thinking, 'Wait, did I just get the part?'” Nam said. She found the process to be both unfamiliar and fun.

Nam's leap of faith paid off when she was selected for the role of the housekeeper in "When Life Gives You Tangerines". Since the show's release, she has experienced increased public recognition. "People recognize me on the street now. They're like, 'Aren't you the ring guy from When Life Gives You Tangerines?' It's surreal—I kind of feel like a celebrity,” she laughed.

Nam also expressed her admiration for IU, who plays a lead role in the series. “I was thrilled to be acting with IU. She nailed the emotional struggles of youth from that era. She's an amazing actress—and a really cool person too,” she said.

Before landing this role, Nam handled all aspects of her career independently, from transportation to appearance fees. "If a role seemed slightly bigger, I'd just ask, 'Can you bump it up by 100,000 won (about $75)?'" she shared, illustrating the hard work behind her rising fame. Her story serves as a reminder that unconventional paths and a willingness to take risks can lead to unexpected breakthroughs in the entertainment industry. "When Life Gives You Tangerines" has been praised for its unique humor and emotional depth, and Nam's performance has been lauded for its charm and authenticity.