Actor Jung Yi-chan Immerses Himself in Role for Nearly a Year for 'Dr. Shin'

Actor Jung Yi-chan revealed that he lived in an environment similar to his character's for nearly a year to fully immerse himself in his role. He even talked about brain-related topics in his sleep, jokingly saying, "It's embarrassing, but the phrase 'Jumyeodeunda' (a play on his character's name) became popular," highlighting the charm of the project and his character.

We met with lead actor Jung Yi-chan at the TenAsia office in Chungjeong-ro, Seoul, where he passionately portrayed his role in TV Chosun's weekend drama 'Dr. Shin' (directed by Lee Seung-hoon).

'Dr. Shin' is a medical thriller melodrama about a genius doctor whose beloved woman experiences an accidental incident. It marks the return of writer Im Sung-han, known as the 'queen of makjang,' after three years and is her first medical drama, garnering significant attention even before its broadcast.

Jung Yi-chan shared, "There may be people who haven't seen the writer's works, but everyone has watched them at least once. Even those unfamiliar with her work remember specific scenes," explaining his motivation to audition for the role due to the writer's reputation for creating sensational stories.

The fact that Im's comeback project was a hot topic was evident on set. Jung Yi-chan recalled, "There was a lot of interest and concern about this project. Every time an article was published, the writer and director would reassure me, saying, 'You are just Shin Ju-shin,' always giving me confidence."

The drama surprised viewers from the beginning with its 'brain change' concept, involving the female lead Momo (played by Baek Seo-ra) and the characters surrounding her. Jung Yi-chan said, "Most dramas or movies deal with soul swaps or out-of-body experiences, but this was the first time I encountered a story about opening the skull to swap brains. I was shocked when I received the script, especially since I was cast as the surgeon."

He continued, "I was mentally prepared because the writer is known for her unpredictable plots, but I was surprised that the brain-swapping scene started as early as the first episode, rather than the third or fourth as I expected."

The news of his casting received mixed reactions from friends and acquaintances. Jung Yi-chan explained, "There was more concern about me personally than about the lines or scenes. The lead actors are generally younger compared to those in the writer's previous works, and there are fewer characters, so people worried I might get exhausted."

Jung Yi-chan took on the role of Shin Ju-shin, a genius doctor and authority on brain surgery. He even bought a doctor's gown through a second-hand app for the audition, saying, "The writer had a clear image of the Shin Ju-shin character, with long hair and a deep voice."

Shin Ju-shin is a cold-hearted doctor who shows emotional obsession with the women around him. Jung Yi-chan recalled, "The writer had meticulously envisioned Ju-shin's actions, wanting charisma and gravity. She emphasized that, like people who have reached the pinnacle in their fields, Ju-shin should appear relaxed and not arrogant."

To approach the role, Jung Yi-chan met with doctors from various fields, including plastic surgery, dentistry, orthopedics, and thoracic surgery. He said, "Doctors closely involved in surgeries tend to be cold and rational, so I approached the character from that angle." He worked closely with the writer and director, constantly asking "why?" to develop the Shin Ju-shin character.

Even outside the set, he continued living as Shin Ju-shin. Jung Yi-chan confessed, "Although I live with my family now, during filming, I thought I should live alone like Ju-shin, so I stayed at a friend's empty house." He laughed, saying he was often called Shin Ju-shin.

After cutting his long hair, Jung Yi-chan said, "I lived like Ju-shin for almost a year. During filming, I didn't meet people and only went between the set and the gym. I even talked about brains in my sleep. As a result, the phrase 'Jumyeodeunda' became popular. I grew so fond of Ju-shin that I didn't want to cut my hair."

Im Sung-han's unique dialogue style also caught the attention of many viewers. Lines like "Don't just poke the brain," "(I'm) full," and "Have you ever thought of this oppa?" were parodied. Jung Yi-chan expressed gratitude, saying, "People humorously recreated my line 'Shall I go? Will you come?' with phrases like 'Ramen? Do you have it?', 'Shall I boil water?', 'Shall I take out kimchi?'"

With his appearance in 'Dr. Shin,' Jung Yi-chan seemed to have fallen for Im's style. He said, "There was a lot of talk about the brain change concept, but once you're hooked, it's hard to let go. The actors gradually became desensitized to the shocking developments and found them convincing while reading the script." He added, "I unknowingly got drawn in, wondering 'What happens next?' The writer's ability to captivate is remarkable."

Jung Yi-chan worried that the honest yet affectionate Ju-shin might be disliked by viewers. He said, "Contrary to my concerns, viewers liked Ju-shin's robotic emotions and found them endearing. I'm truly honored and grateful for each and every reaction."

Regarding the meaning of his stage name, Jung Yi-chan explained, "It means having a good character and gathering many people." Debuting in 2023 with the drama 'Oasis,' he is now in his third year. Having portrayed a restrained love of a mid-thirties doctor in 'Dr. Shin,' Jung Yi-chan envisions his future roles. He expressed, "I want to return to my actual age in my 20s and experience fresh and cute love. Many people also say I would suit historical dramas, so I want to challenge that genre as well."

Reporter Jung Da-yeon, TenAsia light@tenasia.co.kr