Actor Jang Seok-hyeon has called the Disney+ and Channel A drama “Dive Into You,” which concluded on October 1, “an unforgettable work” in his career, a statement that encapsulates the significance of his first leading role.
StarNews reported that Jang, who landed the part through a highly competitive audition process of 120 to 1, shared his reflections on the project in a recent interview in Seoul. The drama, which finished its run on the aforementioned date, follows a top actress, Yoon Hana (played by Kim Ji-yeon), who swaps souls with her twin brother, the world number one judo gold medalist Yoon Ha-ru (Jang Seok-hyeon), after an accident. She then travels back in time in a desperate struggle to prevent the death of her first love. Jang portrayed Yoon Ha-ru, showcasing a wide range of emotions from the urgency of a crisis to the confusion of a body swap.
‘A Work I Will Never Forget’
“Because it was my first work as a leading actor, I was very nervous and felt a great sense of responsibility,” Jang stated, according to the report. “It’s a work I poured my heart into, so I feel a bit of regret that it’s over. Thanks to the people around me, I was able to shape the character of Yoon Ha-ru. I won’t forget that kindness and want to grow into a better actor.”
The interview covered Jang's collaboration with his co-stars. When asked about working with Kim Ji-yeon, who played his twin sister, and actors Park Seok-han and Moon Seung-woo, Jang smiled. “Actually, I had only seen them on TV before, so it was all new to me,” he said. “Everyone gave me a lot of help and encouragement to help me adapt well on set. Being such a newcomer but taking on a big role, I felt a burden and worry, an 불안감 (uneasiness) that I wouldn’t be able to do anything right, but (Park) Seok-han hyung really encouraged me a lot, and my heart became calm. I’m usually introverted, but my heart opened up quickly.” He expressed his gratitude to his fellow cast members.
Preparing for a Second Audition
“The opportunity for a second audition was very precious,” he recounted. “When I got that notification, I thought ‘ah’ and then gritted my teeth even more. I could say I prepared with all my might for a month. Besides sleeping time, I only did audition preparations. Because I had practiced judo before, I even brought a judo uniform. I can confidently say that.”
This intense preparation paid off, securing him the role of Yoon Ha-ru, a character whose background as a world-class judoka required physical authenticity.
Fantasy Romance
“Dive Into You” is a fantasy romance that incorporates time travel and body swapping. Jang was asked if it was difficult to perform considering these two specific genre elements. He responded that while he was certainly aware of the genre’s characteristics at the beginning, he eventually paid them less attention as the filming progressed.
“I thought a lot by myself and even looked up (Kim) Ji-yeon noona’s previous works to study, but it ended up making me more headachey,” Jang admitted. “So I decided to just ask her directly, and we had many conversations during script readings. In the process, we also became close.”
“Because it’s a fantasy romance drama, the relationship between characters might look like a brotherly bond, but I hope it is seen as a romance,” he stated. “And in the last scene of Episode 1, I wanted to act as if I were Hana, not Ha-ru. I’m truly grateful that some viewers saw my performance with nuance.”
Director Thanks Lead Actor
The drama’s director, Song Jae-hyun, had previously expressed special thanks to Jang, stating that thanks to him, the filming was completed within the scheduled time. In response, Jang shared a candid look at his own mindset on set.
“Actually, on set, I became very frustrated because I kept pushing myself hard,” he said. “I felt I had to convince the staff that I was the lead actor for a reason.” He continued that the initial scenes were heavy on emotional acting, and as it was his first time, he constantly worried, “Am I acting well?” However, the director’s words brought him immense relief.
“The director said, ‘Hyuk-ah, thanks to you, filming finished smoothly,'” Jang recalled. “At that moment, I felt a huge sense of security. For the action scenes, I think they shone because we all went to action school and worked hard to gel together. I could feel that the director cherished all the actors. I’m truly grateful.”
A Career Defining Moment
When asked what landing the lead role in “Dive Into You” meant for him as a newcomer, Jang emphasized the collective effort that brought the character to life. “Thanks to the people who helped me, the character of Yoon Ha-ru was completed,” he said. “I also sincerely thank the viewers. I want to promise to show them a better side of me in the future.”
“‘Dive Into You’ is a work I will absolutely never forget in my life,” he concluded, expressing a deep and lasting love for the project.
Finding His Acting Charm
Debuting in the 2023 drama “Cheongdam International High School 1,” Jang has since appeared in “Gratitude in Secret,” “Pro Bono,” “For My First Love,” “Cheongdam International High School 2,” and “Unknown Seoul.” Regarding his acting career, he stated, “I am still searching for what charm I have in my acting.” He reframes the challenges of auditioning as part of a learning process. “I’ve been through many auditions, and of course, there have been regrets, but I see it as the process of becoming a good actor and am thinking positively.”
Jang noted a personal desire to play characters who radiate positive energy, a wish fulfilled by “Dive Into You.” “I’m usually calm and gentle, so I needed to adjust my synchronization with the character, but as I naturally immersed myself, the synchronization seemed to work out,” he explained with a shy smile, adding that even his surroundings remarked, “You can joke around too?”
Deciding to pursue acting on his father’s advice, Jang reflected on his career choice. “Lately, I sometimes look at myself and think, ‘What would I be doing if I weren’t acting?'” he shared. “I feel that choosing this profession was the right decision. In that regard, my satisfaction with my current state has become very high.”
Looking ahead, Jang expressed a desire for versatility. “In the future, I want to show various faces. I want to try dark roles, and also continue to play bright roles like Yoon Ha-ru. Through ‘Dive Into You,’ I experienced action acting and found it fun. I’ve developed a strong desire to try action scenes.”
A Personal Aspiration
In closing, Jang shared his ultimate ambition. “As a personal wish, I want to be a good actor who can make someone dream when they see me,” he said. “I want to be a person who has a good influence on many people.”
