Rising Stars Lee Jae-in and Park Yoon-ho Reunite in 'Unknown Seoul', Captivating Audiences

'You Know What?' Reporter Lee So-jung from TenAsia captures intriguing issues in the broadcasting world to stimulate the public's dopamine.

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Actors Lee Jae-in and Park Yoon-ho reunite after two years. Having previously teamed up in the thriller 'When Night Falls' on U+ Mobile TV, the duo now brings a fresh dynamic to the tvN drama 'Unknown Seoul', portraying the youthful romance of characters played by Park Bo-young and Park Jin-young.

As 'Unknown Seoul' enters its fourth week, it continues to see a rise in viewership ratings. Starting at 3.6% (Nielsen Korea nationwide) on its premiere on September 24, the show reached a new high of 7.4% on October 15. The performances of leads Park Bo-young and Park Jin-young, along with the younger portrayals by Lee Jae-in and Park Yoon-ho, have garnered significant attention.

Born in 2004 and 2003 respectively, Lee Jae-in and Park Yoon-ho have skillfully elevated the drama's atmosphere by depicting the youthful days of the main characters. While some noted that Park Bo-young and Park Jin-young's youthful appearances could have allowed them to wear school uniforms without issue, the fresh casting choice has been praised for enhancing the show's youthful charm. Despite differences in appearance, the young actors' strong performances have maintained the show's immersive quality.

'Unknown Seoul' marks the reunion of Lee Jae-in and Park Yoon-ho after their brief but impactful collaboration in the 2023 thriller 'When Night Falls'. Their previous experience working together has contributed positively to their current synergy.

In a recent interview with TenAsia, Park Yoon-ho shared insights about his audition for 'Unknown Seoul'. He revealed, "I heard that Jae-in was already cast when I was preparing for the audition, which motivated me to work even harder." He added, "Although Jae-in is a year younger, her extensive experience has taught me a lot," expressing his gratitude.

Lee Jae-in, who debuted in 2010 on EBS's 'Bbo Bbo Bbo', is a seasoned actress with 16 years of experience. In contrast, Park Yoon-ho, whose debut was 'When Night Falls', is a newcomer with less than three years in the industry. Despite the experience gap, Park Yoon-ho's dedication and consistent effort are driving his growth.

Lee Jae-in has steadily expanded her acting range with notable performances in 'Svaha: The Sixth Finger' and 'Racket Boys'. In an April interview with TenAsia, she described 'Unknown Seoul' as a new challenge in the romance genre, adding, "Having previously worked with Yoon-ho made it easier to perform comfortably."

Lee Jae-in is currently in the spotlight with the simultaneous release of the film 'High Five' and the airing of 'Unknown Seoul', both featuring Park Jin-young. While they play different roles in 'Unknown Seoul', their contrasting characters in 'High Five' have sparked interest among fans.

Park Yoon-ho is also gaining attention as a promising newcomer in the industry. He is currently signed with JYP's subsidiary, Innit Entertainment, receiving substantial support due to the limited number of actors in the agency. Meanwhile, Lee Jae-in is with Yubon Company, alongside established actors like Shin Hyun-bin and Jo Woo-jin. With strong management backing, both actors are expanding their presence as the next generation of stars, combining popularity with acting prowess.

When actors reunite after a previous collaboration, it often brings both anticipation and concern. While some projects fail to surpass the original, Lee Jae-in and Park Yoon-ho have successfully brought depth to their characters, contributing to the success of 'Unknown Seoul'.

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