Rising Star Jo Han-gyeol Reflects on Breakthrough Role in 'Miss Hong' and Future Aspirations

"It was an honor to work with Shin Hye. She is a senior who has worked with many top actors, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with her as a rookie actor."

Actor Jo Han-gyeol, who gained attention as a supporting lead in tvN's 'Undercover Miss Hong' (hereafter 'Miss Hong'), recently sat down for an interview at a cafe in Gangnam, Seoul. Jo debuted in the 2020 web drama 'I'll Leave You From Earth' and is one of the few male actors at Sublime, which includes famous actresses like Ko So-young, Nana, Hyeri, Seo Ye-ji, and Lim Soo-hyang. Born in 2002, he is noted for his charming looks and stable acting skills, marking him as a promising new talent leading the 'generation shift' in the industry.

Last year, Jo appeared in SBS's 'Royal Palace', 'Try: We Become Miracles', and JTBC's 'My Youth'. This year, he is receiving praise for his most significant role since his debut in 'Miss Hong'. The show is a retro office comedy set in the late 1990s, where elite securities supervisor Hong Geum-bo goes undercover as a 20-year-old entry-level employee at a suspicious securities firm.

For Jo, born in 2002, 'Miss Hong' was set in a time before he was born, yet he brought freshness and immersion to his character, earning positive reviews. He played Albert Oh (Oh Ah-ram), the grandson of the chairman of Hanmin Securities and the head of the crisis management department, who outwardly seems uninterested in company affairs, embodying a 'light-hearted orange tribe' persona.

Jo Han-gyeol has not yet announced his next project after 'Miss Hong'. When asked about his interests, he said, "I would be grateful for any role, but ultimately, the script's fun is the most important. 'Miss Hong' had a script that was really enjoyable to read."

"I almost never missed an episode. I would exercise in the evening, then go home to eat and make sure to watch it. Initially, I was worried when the ratings were at 3%, but I believed they would rise. The response around me was very positive. I often signed autographs for my parents' friends, and many people recognize me at restaurants, which makes me happy. I even signed an autograph yesterday."

After the interview, a customer at the cafe approached Jo, complimenting 'Miss Hong' and asking for a photo. Jo laughed, "Yesterday, a customer and the restaurant owner recognized me from 'Miss Hong'. So, I signed an autograph for them. But they didn't know my name, asking if I was 'Miss Hong' or 'Albert'. I told them yes. It feels like my real name has disappeared, but I'm happy to be recognized."

Before his acting debut, Jo dreamed of becoming a baseball player but changed his career path due to an injury. He emphasized, "I've always wanted to be an actor who receives awards, watching 'Acting Awards' shows. I'm working hard to achieve that dream."

He was invited to the '2025 SBS Drama Awards' due to his role in 'Try: We Become Miracles', marking his first attendance at an awards ceremony. "I didn't win an award, but I learned a lot and gained valuable experience," he said. "I hope to appear in another network drama soon and win an award this time."

"I've never done an OTT project. I'm grateful for any opportunity, but I would love to connect with global audiences through an OTT project."

Expressing interest in appearing on Netflix, Jo shared that he only watches his own work while it's airing. "I only watched 'Miss Hong' recently. I avoid watching competing dramas," he laughed. "I was moved by supportive comments like 'That actor is charming' and 'I want to see him again', which motivate me."

When asked how he prepared for 'Miss Hong', set in a time before he was born, Jo explained, "There are many resources available now. I often asked the company executive, and Chat GPT was very helpful. YouTube and social media are well-activated, so you can find everything with a search. I watched many movies, dramas, and interviews from that time."

"The movie 'No Sun' was particularly memorable. It features the orange tribe, so it was good for referencing costumes and atmosphere. I also watched 'Typhoon Company' to understand the emotions of that era."

Finally, Jo spoke about working with actress Park Shin-hye, "She was the best. I learned a lot about attitude and acting on set, and she took great care of me. She always supported my acting and was considerate, making me happy. I hope to work with her again in another project."

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