What’s Up For Uee After “Golden Rainbow” and After School?

Appearing in the drama "Golden Rainbow" has only made After School's Uee more confident that she wants to shift her career from singing to acting.

"In the past my ambition just to stand on stage rather to act was strong but these days my ambition for acting has grown," Uee recently told Ilgan Sports.

She is best known for being a vocalist and rapper with the girl group After School, but for the past five years she has also been building her acting resume with roles in dramas such as "Queen Seonduk," "You're Beautiful" "Jeon Woochi" and "Ojakgyo Brothers."

In "You're Beautiful" she played the phony actress who schemed to win Jang Geun Suk's star character. In "Jeon Woochi," she played Princess Hong Mu Yeon.

"When I think about acting I realize that my graduation day is nearing," said Uee, whose real name is Kim Yu Jin. "I'm not saying it needs to happen right away but I do feel like I need to pass on my position to those who are younger than I am."

After she graduates the 26-year-old actress wants to focus on acting.

"That's why I find every performance at events is precious to me now," she said. "It's more poignant now that I think there isn't much time left for me to perform on stage."

She was pleased with the way "Golden Rainbow" turned out. In "Golden Rainbow" she played Kim Baek Won, one of several orphans adopted by the same man.  The makeshift family had to endure many trials and tribulations, but it ended well.

"I was happy to be able to live as Baek Won for four months, she said after the 41-episode show ended. "Not being her anymore feels weird."

Her co-star Jung Il Woo thought the role suited her perfectly.

"She is energetic and bright when she acts and I think it is her strength," said Jung Il Woo. "Baek-won, her character in this drama, is also an upbeat character and it's a good fit."

The two actors shared many kiss scenes in the drama, which he said he thoroughly enjoyed but she confessed made her nervous.

Uee, who won the Korean Ken and Barbie awards in 2011, is currently a permanent member of the variety show "Barefooted Friends." Her fellow cast members include singers Eunhyuk and Kim Hyun Joong as well as actors Kang Ho Dong and Yoon Si Yoon.