Exclusive: We talk to Dune: Prophecy star Jihae about playing Reverend Mother Kasha

Exclusive: We talk to Dune: Prophecy star Jihae about playing Reverend Mother Kasha

As a fan of both acting and sci-fi, I must admit that it was an absolute privilege to witness Jihae’s journey through her career and latest role in “Dune: Prophecy.” Her resilience and dedication are truly inspiring, as is evident from the challenges she faced during the filming of “Mortal Engines” – a production that seemed more like a military operation than a movie set.


As a dedicated fan, I can’t contain my excitement as I dive into the captivating world of “Dune: Prophecy” on HBO and Max! This epic journey through the Imperium unfolds an astounding 10,000 years before Paul Atreides was even born. It’s a fresh take on the beloved “Dune” saga, offering a unique perspective that I never thought possible. Settle in for a mesmerizing experience in front of your TV!

We’ve been fortunate enough to engage in conversations with several cast and crew members involved in the production of the show. Among them is Jihae, who portrays Reverend Mother Kasha, a Bene Gesserit sister who serves as the personal Truthsayer for Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong), and also acts as a nurturing figure for his daughter and heir apparent, Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina). Kasha dwells alongside the royal family on the imperial planet of Salusa Secundus, positioning her as someone with considerable power and influence. However, if you’ve watched the premiere episode, “The Hidden Hand,” you’re aware that she encounters some difficulties (MAJOR SPOILERS follow).

In “The Hidden Hand,” Kasha experiences a troubling dream, which could be a premonition of impending doom for the Bene Gesserit. This dream disturbs her so much that she journeys back to their home planet, Wallach IX, to discuss her concerns with Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) and Valya’s sister Tula (Olivia Williams), who oversee the Sisterhood. However, during her stay on Wallach IX, Kasha meets a strange man named Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) and perishes mysteriously, with Desmond seemingly able to harm her despite being on another planet, Salusa Secundus.

In our chat with Jihae (who you might know as a successful musician too), we delved into the enigmatic aspects of Kasha’s demise, gained insights about acting alongside stars like Watson and Williams, and learned about her future plans. Check out our unique conversation below!

Exclusive: We talk to Dune: Prophecy star Jihae about playing Reverend Mother Kasha

WinterIsComing: How did you get involved in Doom: Prophecy?

As a devoted cinephile, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Alison Schapker on “Altered Carbon”, season 2, episode 1. She expressed to me that she was thinking of me for this role while she was working on it. To make things even better, the initial director is a good friend of mine, and we discussed the opportunity. The offer was extended to me, making it an incredibly generous gift. I didn’t have to audition for it, and I was captivated by the character’s journey throughout the series – truly a blessing!

Jihae implies that Kasha has been committed to the Bene Gesserit cause since her youth, particularly after the violent demise of Dorotea which empowered Valya. In essence, she believes that Kasha identifies with this mission because it aims to prevent the world from being corrupted by men, and she finds nobility in upholding this purpose.

It appears that Valya, rather than focusing on Kasha’s unique abilities as the most proficient Truthsayer within the Sisterhood, seems more intent on moving forward with her plans. This could potentially lead to Kasha being overlooked in terms of discussing her visions. On the other hand, it seems clear that Valya has developed a strong maternal bond with Ynez, caring for and training her to such an extent that their relationship overshadows Ynez’s own mother. It’s possible that Valya may question Kasha’s importance given her role as the right-hand of the Emperor, but she remains single-mindedly dedicated to carrying out her plans.

Jihae mentioned an intriguing observation about her lip gloss: “It tends to cling to it, which makes me puff air out quite frequently. What’s fascinating is that when the weather turns cold, it transforms into ice! I found it challenging to handle it, but that was a piece of cake compared to my initial attempt, where I had a burn covering this entire side of my face.

Performing the death scene was undeniably intense. It took around three or four days…My method as an actor is to fully immerse myself in the emotion, so that the audience can truly feel it too. The portrayal must be authentic to me, and if I don’t believe it, neither will the audience. At times, the line between reality and acting becomes blurred; your mind may understand the difference, but your body does not. Therefore, enacting a scene where one is experiencing a prolonged, agonizing death can be quite challenging.

I chose to employ it as a medium, given the extensive shouting I needed to do throughout the extended hours. In essence, I transformed myself into a conduit for all the women who came before me, allowing them to voice their feelings.

When I found out about the additional day, it felt like my body was reacting as if it were being scorched from within and experiencing intense discomfort – almost like it was in physical pain. It seemed as though my body was protesting, screaming ‘no more, I can’t do another day.’ Needless to say, it was quite a challenge for me, and it took a considerable amount of time for me to unwind from that experience.

Jihae: “I wish it could be fun!”

As a movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts: “Boy, can I tell you something! This film is a testament to the fact that you can accomplish anything if you truly set your mind to it. And while I might never find myself in a similar scene again after this rollercoaster ride, I certainly hope to approach it with as much fun and enthusiasm next time around!

Jihae expresses joy about portraying a regular human character, but she takes great pride in the extraordinary projects she’s been part of alongside incredibly innovative individuals. In other words, she feels no regret about her career choices.

Indeed, there was a specific scene we couldn’t include in the episode. The women involved were incredibly gracious individuals, yet exceptionally skilled in their professions. We had an amazing time together, and I must admit they were genuinely generous, loving actors. Not all actors share this quality, let me tell you. They were truly kind-hearted, sweet, and a pleasure to work with. I felt incredibly fortunate to have worked with them.

Jihae expressed, “I believe there was extensive editing involved…It seems to be a recurring theme. In all my projects, elements are often removed due to the many interconnected pieces. Unfortunately, I can’t discuss that specific aspect…It’s just par for the course, if you catch my drift?

Jihae stated, “In my opinion, Mortal Engines boasted the grandest production scale. With approximately 500 individuals working behind the scenes, and Peter Jackson serving not only as writer/producer but also as second unit director, present every day.

This project took us two years to complete, and when I arrived at the location in July, I had to walk for nine days and then wait another 5-6 months before returning. I’m thankful they held off on starting without me. Upon arrival, it seemed like a military operation, with no pauses as we bulldozed through each scene. It was intense, almost surreal. The fact that the project got made at all is astonishing, given all the disruptions we faced.

Jihae is currently working on her fifth studio album, which is set for release next year. It’s likely that she will debut a single from the album early in the next year.

current title of the project is ‘Way Back Home,’ but there’s a chance it could be different! Who knows?

Exclusive: We talk to Dune: Prophecy star Jihae about playing Reverend Mother Kasha

Appreciate the chat with Jihae! You can catch the premiere of Dune: Prophecy right now on Max.

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2024-11-18 06:41

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