TV
Taecyeon Reflects on His Role in 'Stealing the First Night of the Male Lead' as the Drama Concludes
On the final episode aired on the 17th, Taecyeon delivered a powerful performance as 'Ibeon', expressing the character's fear of his lover's sadness over death, leaving viewers deeply moved. He also portrayed a satisfying conclusion by rescuing 'Chaseonchaek' (played by Seo Hyun) from 'Lee Gyu' (played by Lee Tae-sun) and clearing the name of 'Chaseonchaek's family, who were wrongfully accused of being behind the Black Death group.
In episode 12, Taecyeon's character refused to kill 'Lee Gyu' on 'Seoljong's (played by Joo Seok-tae) orders, stating, "It will only breed more resentment," and "I know better than anyone that time stained with blood cannot be reversed." This marked the completion of 'Ibeon's' growth arc, leaving a profound impact on viewers. The drama concluded with 'Ibeon' finding happiness in marriage with 'Chaseonchaek', moving away from his life as a royal hunting dog.
Through his agency 51K, Taecyeon expressed his mixed emotions about the drama's conclusion, saying, "I was drawn to the character 'Ibeon' from the moment I received the script. It was a project I was deeply attached to, and I'm grateful to the cast, crew, and viewers for their support."
Q. How do you feel about finishing the drama 'Stealing the First Night of the Male Lead'?
A. I have mixed feelings. It was a project I was personally attached to, and I had a great time filming with the cast and crew for over six months. I'm glad we wrapped it up well.
Q. You've taken on various roles across genres. What made you choose 'Stealing the First Night of the Male Lead'?
A. The script was captivating, and I was drawn to the character 'Ibeon'. I was curious about the original webtoon and wanted to portray 'Ibeon' in a way I hadn't before, offering viewers a new side of me.
Q. 'Ibeon' is a fantasy character. How did you approach his transformation after meeting 'Chaseonchaek'?
A. I focused on portraying 'Ibeon' as a straightforward yet naive character when it came to love. He is a royal with exceptional skills but has lived a lonely life. Meeting 'Chaseonchaek' allowed him to grow, and I emphasized his emotions through his eyes.
A. His unwavering beliefs and the way he expresses his love and trust in 'Chaseonchaek' were very appealing.
Q. How did you handle 'Ibeon's' intense lines?
A. I wanted to deliver the lines sincerely, even though they were expressions I wouldn't use in real life. I worked closely with the director to ensure they were conveyed genuinely.
Q. What scene stands out to you?
A. The ending scenes were always exciting. The underwater rescue scene in episode 6 was particularly memorable.
Q. How similar are you to 'Ibeon'?
A. We're quite different. 'Ibeon' is intuitive and bold, which is unlike me, so I had to think a lot about how to portray him.
Q. What do you find appealing about historical dramas?
A. Historical dramas allow for creativity and flexibility, which I found enjoyable.
Q. The drama was well-received internationally. Any message for overseas fans?
A. I'm thrilled that international fans enjoyed the drama. Thank you for your support.
Q. How do you want 'Stealing the First Night of the Male Lead' to be remembered?
A. I hope it provided viewers with a break from their worries and stress.
Q. Any future roles or genres you're interested in?
A. I want to explore more diverse and complex characters, including action roles.
Q. What are your plans for the rest of the year?
A. I'll be taking some time to recharge and return with new projects.
Q. Any final words for the viewers?
A. Thank you for loving 'Stealing the First Night of the Male Lead'. It was a joy to share this journey with you.
Kim Se-a, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr
