Actor Jung Hae-in Shines in Both 'Veteran 2' and 'Mom's Friend's Son' During Chuseok Holiday

Actor Jung Hae-in is having an exceptionally busy Chuseok holiday. Despite barely having time to nurse a crush on his female friend, he also plays a cop who commits murder. He has been captivating fans with his diverse roles both on TV and in theaters.

Jung Hae-in's smile is unlikely to fade during the Chuseok holiday. The movie 'Veteran 2,' in which he plays a villain, has surpassed 2 million viewers just three days after its release. According to the Korean Film Council's integrated computer network, 'Veteran 2' attracted 824,747 viewers on the previous day, bringing the total to 2,095,932. With the Chuseok holiday still ongoing, even more viewers are expected.

'Veteran 2' is an action crime investigation drama where veteran detective Seo Do-cheol (Hwang Jung-min) and rookie detective Park Sun-woo (Jung Hae-in) join forces to track down a notorious serial killer.

The anticipation for the sequel to 'Veteran,' which drew 13.41 million viewers, seems to be a significant factor. The film is quickly catching up to the records set by the first installment. Additionally, 'Veteran 2' is the only major release during the five-day Chuseok holiday, which has also contributed to its success.

Jung Hae-in's transformation into a villain is another key element. Known for his warm smile and charming looks, his role as a villain adds an unexpected twist to the film. Jung Hae-in explained, "The character Park Sun-woo has narcissistic and sociopathic tendencies. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals."

Unlike Yoo Ah-in's villain Jo Tae-oh in the first film, Jung Hae-in's character is of a different nature. He studied people with sociopathic traits to enhance his portrayal of Park Sun-woo, focusing on eye movements and blinking frequency to maximize the character's sociopathic tendencies.

On weekends, Jung Hae-in switches from his ruthless character Park Sun-woo to a romantic lead in the tvN weekend drama 'Mom's Friend's Son,' where he plays Choi Seung-hyo, who has a crush on Bae Seok-ryu (played by Jung So-min). Last weekend's episode revealed Bae Seok-ryu's battle with stomach cancer, a fact that deeply affected both her family and Choi Seung-hyo. Jung Hae-in delivered a poignant performance, portraying a mix of sorrow and betrayal upon learning about his long-time friend's illness. His tearful eyes, filled with both hurt and concern, moved the audience.

'Mom's Friend's Son' is also enjoying success, much like 'Veteran 2.' The ninth episode recorded an average nationwide household rating of 4.5%, peaking at 5.9%, while the tenth episode achieved an average of 5.5%, peaking at 6.3%, securing the top spot in its time slot.

Both of Jung Hae-in's contrasting roles have been well-received. Through 'Veteran 2' and 'Mom's Friend's Son,' he has demonstrated his wide acting range. Jung Hae-in will spend the remainder of the holiday greeting fans at movie theaters. All eyes are on whether 'Veteran 2' will become the third film of the year to surpass 10 million viewers.

Seo Yoon Kim, TenAsia Reporter seogugu@tenasia.co.kr