Ahn Bo-hyun Reflects on His Role in 'Spring Fever' and the Challenges of Romantic Comedies

"Playing Jae-kyu gave me a bit more confidence in romantic comedies, and I feel more open than before. However, I don't think I've changed much. Romantic comedies still seem challenging to me. I often think it's a genre for really handsome people."

On the 11th, at a cafe in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Ahn Bo-hyun (37) shared these thoughts during a wrap-up interview for tvN's 'Spring Fever'. When asked if he believes his appearance isn't suited for romantic comedies, he quietly replied, "Yes." Based on a webtoon, 'Spring Fever' is a hot pink romance that melts the frozen hearts of teacher Yoon Bom (played by Lee Ju-bin) and the passionate Seon Jae-kyu (played by Ahn Bo-hyun). The show concluded on the 10th with a peak rating of 5.7% (Nielsen Korea, paid households), marking a successful end. Ahn Bo-hyun received praise for his role as Seon Jae-kyu, a character known for his straightforward and charming nature.

Ahn Bo-hyun has previously appeared in popular webtoon-based dramas like 'Itaewon Class' and 'Yumi's Cells', earning acclaim for his strong resemblance to the original characters. With 'Spring Fever', he once again proved his worth as an actor.

Ahn Bo-hyun is known for his impactful roles in genres like 'My Name' and 'Reborn Rich Detective'. His return to romantic comedies comes about two and a half years after 'Please Take Care of Me in This Life', which aired in 2023. When asked about his return to the genre, Ahn Bo-hyun stated that he doesn't consider 'Spring Fever' a romantic comedy. He explained that his choice wasn't based on the genre.

"What first attracted me to the project was the dialect. I consider it one of my strengths, like a secret weapon. I always thought there would be a chance to use it, and then I found this script. After reading the synopsis of the character Seon Jae-kyu, I felt compelled to take on the challenge."

Ahn Bo-hyun, who spent much of his life in Busan, added, "Jae-kyu's personality, his unexpressed pain, and his overall character were very appealing. It wasn't about challenging the romantic comedy genre; I was drawn to the character. Plus, the dialect was an advantage."

"'Spring Fever' wasn't about showcasing the charm of a romantic comedy. It was more about the purity and sincerity of Seon Jae-kyu's character. That's why I didn't focus much on the romantic comedy aspect."

Ahn Bo-hyun admitted that incorporating the dialect into the script was more challenging than expected. "It was difficult to convert the scripted lines into dialect. I thought it would be easy, assuming it would come naturally and comfortably. But maintaining the context while using the dialect was tough. I communicated a lot with the director about how to approach it."

"The director trusted me and allowed me to make the character my own. He said I didn't need to stick to every word and encouraged me to add ad-libs and nuances that fit my interpretation of Jae-kyu. So, I worked hard to create my version of Jae-kyu within the context."

"Isn't Jae-kyu a bit different? To me, he was unlike any other romantic comedy character. Jae-kyu is serious and doesn't try to impress intentionally. I found that more appealing."

Drawn to the dialect and Jae-kyu's character, Ahn Bo-hyun chose 'Spring Fever' without considering it a romantic comedy. "I never thought of it as a romantic comedy. Jae-kyu's roughness and purity naturally blended with the reactions and timing of others, adding comedic elements to the romance," he analyzed.

When asked about future romantic comedy roles, Ahn Bo-hyun expressed a desire to approach them differently. "I want to portray charm in a twisted way rather than straightforwardly. The filming will make it look cool, and the situations will be great, but I want to express it differently. That could be my unique approach."

"Romantic comedies require a bit of cheesy emotion, right? I haven't done many, so I can't quite imagine it yet. But if given the chance, I'd love to try it."

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