Nam Kwon Ah, the rising star of Netflix's international hit When Life Gives You Tangerines, is sharing the weird audition that landed her on the now-global juggernaut — a process that, she admits, was so out-of-the-ordinary, she initially believed she might be getting swindled.

In a recent appearance on the One Mic YouTube channel, Nam reflected on the surreal series of events that eventually led her to a career-defining role as the quirky housekeeper in the hit drama.

"The casting notice came around 10 or 11 p.m.," Nam reportedly said. "I was like, 'Is this something sketchy?'"

Despite her misgivings, Nam said she trusted the names associated with the project — IU and Park Bo Gum — and decided to attend the audition.

What she found upon arrival only deepened her suspicion.

"There were no cameras," she recalled. "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."

Nam said the experience felt so different from her previous auditions that it almost felt unreal. But she went through with it, working one-on-one with the director in the empty room.

"This process was different from any other audition I've ever been to. So, it was unfamiliar and fun," she said.

Her leap of faith paid off. Since the show's release, Nam said she's been receiving significant recognition from the public.

"I kind of feel like a celebrity," she joked, reflecting on how people now recognize her on the street.

The Nam story is a reminder that every so often, unorthodox pathways through a profession can point to unexpected breakout moments, particularly in the entertainment world.

When Life Gives You Tangerines received critical acclaim for its unconventional humor, as well as its emotional depth, and Nam was praised for her charming and genuine performance.