KOR
The JTBC Saturday-Sunday drama "Reborn Rookie", which concluded on July 5, tells the story of Kang Yong-ho (played by Son Hyun-joo), a chairman of Choi Sung Group known as a business genius, who gets a second chance at life in the body of a man in his 20s following an accident. Thanks to its solid storyline and the passionate performances of the cast, the drama received immense love from viewers, breaking its own viewership ratings record with every episode.
In the drama, Lee Jun-young played Hwang Jun-hyun, a promising soccer player whose career was cut short by a hit-and-run accident involving the Choi Sung Group family. He delicately portrayed a character whose body is inhabited by the soul of the 72-year-old Chairman Kang Yong-ho, using subtle differences in his gaze, tone, and speech. He once again proved his wide acting spectrum by perfectly transitioning between the seasoned charisma of a chairman and the ambition of a rookie employee.
Having created another iconic character through "Reborn Rookie", Lee Jun-young shared his thoughts on finishing the project and behind-the-scenes stories in a Q&A session through his agency on July 6, the day after the finale.
Below is the full Q&A with Lee Jun-young regarding "Reborn Rookie".
Q. How do you feel now that "Reborn Rookie" has ended?
A. I feel both sad and relieved. It was certainly not an easy challenge, but thanks to the wonderful senior actors and the production team, I was able to rely on them and prepare and film with all my heart until the end. I sincerely thank everyone who was part of this journey.
Q. What was the most difficult part of playing Hwang Jun-hyun?
A. Surprisingly, I didn't feel there was any one part that was particularly difficult. If I had to pick one, it would be expressing the realistic side and the tension of Hwang Jun-hyun, a fresh graduate taking his first steps into society.
Q. Did you research or refer to anything specific to portray Kang Yong-ho within Hwang Jun-hyun?
A. I watched and re-watched the performances of Son Hyun-joo, a senior actor I have always admired. By focusing on his acting, I think I was able to express his speech, gestures, and overall aura more naturally.
Q. Do you have any memorable scenes or episodes from filming?
A. Every single scene is memorable, but I especially remember the great chemistry in the scenes with Jeon Hye-jin, who played Jae-kyung. Also, there was constant laughter during the shoots with the four of us: Kang Bang-geul of the Strategic Planning Team (played by Lee Joo-myung), Department Head Park Bong-gi (played by Lee Sung-wook), and Executive Director Lee Sang-jae (played by Kim Jong-tae).
Q. What did you learn while working with senior actors like Son Hyun-joo?
A. I learned a lot about the freedom of adjusting the tempo in acting, as well as how to be relaxed and comfortable on set.
Q. Which line or scene is most dear to you?
A. All scenes are precious, but the moments where Hwang Jun-hyun and the fake Jun-hyun tell their grandmother "I'm sorry" stand out the most. Even though the lines were the same, the emotional depth felt completely different.
Q. How will "Reborn Rookie" be remembered by Lee Jun-young?
A. The first thing that comes to mind is that it is a project where I poured everything I had. I will remember it for a long time as a project where I did my absolute best and was able to learn and gain so much.
Q. Please share a final word for the viewers and fans who loved the drama.
A. Once again, I sincerely thank all the viewers who loved "Reborn Rookie" until late at night. I am just so grateful to have received such great love before my military enlistment. I truly hope you all stay healthy and that only happy things happen to you. I hope you finish the rest of the year well. And, watch out for headbutts, day or night! (Laughs)
Meanwhile, having successfully wrapped up "Reborn Rookie", Lee Jun-young will enlist in the military on July 21. However, his hiatus is not expected to be long. His next project, "Four Hands", is set to be released in August, and he has already completed filming for major upcoming works including the new Netflix series "Our Sticky Love" and the film "Handwritten". Therefore, he will continue to meet viewers through both dramas and films even during his military service.
[Photo= SLL, Copus Korea]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)
