Rising Star Yoon Jae-chan Reflects on His Journey from Idol Trainee to Aspiring Actor

Star Catcher: Catching the Shining Stars of the Entertainment Industry

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"As an actor, I get to experience a variety of things. Is there any other job that allows you to directly experience different professions, ages, and environments? I learned bass and b-boying to embody my roles. Every time I acquire something new, I think I made the right choice in becoming an actor. Feeling emotions as a character is such a precious experience."

These are the words of Yoon Jae-chan, who first gained recognition as a trainee dreaming of idol debut on the survival show 'Produce 101 Season 2' in 2017, which produced the group Wanna One. Since then, he has been actively pursuing an acting career. He debuted as an actor in 2021 with 'Fly Again' after two years with the duo XRO. Yoon left a strong impression last year with 'Shining Watermelon' and has since secured roles in significant projects like 'Kang Mae Kang', 'Intimate Betrayal', and 'Love on a Tightrope', establishing himself as a rising star.

Yoon, who has long dreamed of appearing in Netflix productions and on major networks, humorously admitted, "When it finally happened, it wasn't as surprising as I expected," and confessed, "It made me realize I need to work even harder." He expressed his excitement about working with veteran actor Han Suk-kyu in 'Intimate Betrayal', calling it "an unforgettable and precious experience in my life."

"Through 'Intimate Betrayal', I could feel my increased recognition among people in their 40s and 50s. Since it aired on MBC, even my aunts contacted me (laughs). I didn't tell them beforehand because my role was small, so I was surprised to get their calls."

In addition to acting, Yoon is passionate about his music career, releasing his self-composed song 'Can't Say I Don't Regret' last month. He shared, "I love singing and songwriting. It's both a hobby and a talent. I wanted to share my music with the world, and thanks to the support from my company, I could make it happen. I hope to continue balancing both careers."

"I really want to do a historical drama. I dream of the days when I can appear in a project wielding a sword and riding a horse. I love challenges, and even if it's tough, I'm confident I can do it."

Yoon expressed his long-standing affection for historical dramas, having watched countless series like 'Iljimae', 'Yeon Gaesomun', and 'Jang Bogo'. He added, "I'm very interested in English and am studying hard. I definitely want to appear in global OTT productions. I'm ready to showcase my English skills, which I've been self-studying."

"Two years ago, I spent five months in Brazil for a project, which greatly improved my English. I studied languages through YouTube whenever I had the chance. Now, I can converse naturally with foreign friends. I hope the day comes soon when I can use my polished English skills in my acting career."

Yoon also reflected on his time on 'Produce 101 Season 2', where he first appeared to the public. He said he would seize the opportunity again if given the chance, recalling, "It's been seven years, but it's an unforgettable memory. It was the hardest time of my life, sleeping only two hours and practicing all day." He added, "There's no giving up in my life. I pushed through with all my might."

"As tough as it was, it was valuable and precious. Living together, we shared painful experiences with fellow trainees, which made us grow closer. Although it was psychologically challenging and we couldn't sleep, that time made me stronger and helped me grow. It became a meaningful chapter in my life."

Reflecting on his time as an idol with a Japanese member, Yoon said, "We choreographed our performances and studied composition diligently. It was a time when I could step up as a music artist." He added, "The compositions I worked on back then greatly influence my acting career now. Studying and analyzing characters is like creating my own story. I find composing and acting similar," he said with a smile.

"Although the group didn't succeed, I didn't get discouraged. I lived diligently to not be ashamed of myself. Now, I feel like I'm finally starting to shine as an actor. I've realized that if you work hard with a sincere heart, opportunities will open up in any field. I'll continue to strive forward with all my effort. That's all I can do."

Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr