≪Lee So-jung's Star Catcher≫
Introducing the brightest rising stars in the entertainment industry.
"I believe anyone can become a minority at any time, in any way. There's no guarantee that you'll always belong to the majority. That's why works like 'Zootopia' and 'Wicked' resonate with me."
Yoon Ji-sung shared these thoughts during an interview at a café in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul last month. As the leader of Wanna One and an actor, Yoon Ji-sung first captured viewers' attention with his witty communication style on 'Produce 101 Season 2' in 2017. Over the nine years since his debut, he has showcased various charms, earning consistent love from the public.
Recently, he was deeply impressed by the musical 'Wicked', stating, "Elphaba left the strongest impression on me." He added, "Through a character who is ostracized for being different from societal norms, I received the message that we should acknowledge and respect differences. If given the chance, I'd love to play such a role." Elphaba, a character with green skin, symbolizes minorities pushed to the fringes of society.
Yoon Ji-sung also mentioned 'Zootopia', an animation that metaphorically addresses prejudice and discrimination in a society where diverse animals coexist. Besides 'Wicked' and 'Zootopia', he enjoyed watching works featuring his fellow Wanna One members.
After Wanna One disbanded, Yoon Ji-sung enlisted in the army in May 2019 and was discharged in December 2020. He began his acting career with the drama 'Let Me Be Your Knight', which first aired in November 2021. Last year, he appeared in 'Living with a Billionaire Only I Can See'(나만 보이는 재벌과 동거중입니다) and 'Thunder Cloud Rain Storm', reuniting with fans through dramas after four years.
'Thunder Cloud Rain Storm', a BL genre work, garnered significant attention as soon as Yoon Ji-sung's casting was announced. Previously, he portrayed a chaebol heir in 'Living with a Billionaire Only I Can See', showcasing a new side of himself.
Yoon Ji-sung revealed that he had no major concerns about taking on the BL genre for the first time. He said, "The script was incredibly fun," and added, "After finishing 'Living with a Billionaire Only I Can See', I immediately read 'Thunder Cloud Rain Storm', and the contrast between the two works was appealing." He continued, "It seemed like a new challenge for me, and I thought I could show fans a different side of myself, so I made a quick decision."
"I received other BL project offers, but 'Thunder Cloud Rain Storm' had a stronger character that I hadn't encountered before. I wanted to express a new character, so I went to audition."
Currently busy with auditions, Yoon Ji-sung emphasized, "I don't care about the size of the role. If given the opportunity, I want to challenge myself with all of them." When asked about his role model, he said, "Setting someone as a standard and a goal can lead to disappointment if you don't meet it. It makes you impatient and view yourself negatively, so I live with the mindset of growing and doing my best."
"The image from 'Produce 101' is so strong that even after nearly 10 years, many people still remember me that way. I don't want to deny it, and I'm grateful. However, I want to seize opportunities to show diverse sides and build a new image. It would be rewarding if someone someday recalls, 'Wasn't he the guy from 'Produce 101'?"
Lee So-jung, TENASIA Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr