'Doctor Shin' Jeong I-chan, Lim Seong-han Writer on "I'm Leaving, Unnie" Full Story.. "A Kind and Warm Person" [Interview ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

• TV Chosun Saturday-Sunday Drama 'Doctor Shin' Interview with Actor Jeong I-chan, who plays the role of Shin Ju-shin

(Continuing from Interview ①)

Actor Jeong I-chan expressed gratitude toward writer Lim Seong-han, describing her as "a kind and warm person."

Recently, StarNews conducted an interview with actor Jeong I-chan at the Seoul Jongno-gu office regarding the TV Chosun Saturday-Sunday drama 'Doctor Shin' (script by Lim Seong-han (Phoebe), directed by Lee Seung-hoon), which concluded on the 3rd.

'Doctor Shin' is a medical thriller drama about a genius doctor who challenges the realm of God and a woman who loses her soul as her brain deteriorates overnight. It is writer Lim Seong-han's new work, released approximately three years after her 2023 TV Chosun drama 'Miss Durian' concluded.

Jeong I-chan took on the role of Shin Gyeong-oe-gwa (Director) and orphanage Lee (President) Shin Ju-shin in the drama. As the character who performs 'brain change' surgery, he anchored the center of the medical thriller and revealed his first leading role presence since his debut.

Why did writer Lim Seong-han cast Jeong I-chan as the lead? Regarding this, Jeong I-chan stated, "The writer later said she felt like she was giving up the role," and added, "I heard through the director that she liked the cold-blooded look and chilly feeling my face gave off, as well as my voice."

He also shared his thoughts on the 'brain change' setting. In the drama, Shin Ju-shin feels both madness and obsession regarding brain surgery, as well as a sense of guilt.

Jeong I-chan explained, "The writer guided the direction significantly. Shin Ju-shin's lack of emotion gradually becomes apparent later on. At first, the writer wanted her to be emotionless, and I wanted to continue living as Shin Ju-shin. It seems she hoped I wouldn't lose my focus. At first, it was too difficult, so I even had phone calls with the writer for over two hours in the early morning. The term 'brain change' sounds radical, but ultimately, Shin Ju-shin feels guilt and regret through Geum Ba-ra (played by Joo Se-bin). So, when Shin Ju-shin dies, she dies thinking of Geum Ba-ra."

He continued, "(When viewers watch it) not knowing what Shin Ju-shin is thinking is what the writer wanted. A character who was so cold suddenly becomes strangely obsessed with a child and even gets angry later on. Even when dealing with that woman, I had to convey subtle and minute differences. I tried to focus on that 'one spoon's difference.'"

What advice did Jeong I-chan receive from writer Lim Seong-han? When asked, Jeong I-chan replied with a laugh, "The writer disappeared." Writer Lim Seong-han had changed her phone number.

Jeong I-chan said, "I usually contacted the writer frequently. Even when wrapping up filming at the set, if I sent her photos, she would encourage me by saying, 'Good job.' She usually replies very quickly and even calls, but from a certain day on, she stopped replying. The director told me, 'The writer always changes her number after finishing a work, so don't worry about it.' I was actually disappointed and regretful, but when I heard the news that she would appear on a live broadcast, I was truly happy."

Writer Lim Seong-han became a topic of discussion by appearing via phone connection on comedian YouTuber Eom Eun-hyang's YouTube channel. At that time, Lim Seong-han explained that she builds close relationships with actors by having them call her 'Unnie' or 'Nuna,' and also shared an anecdote where Jeong I-chan, in a heavy atmosphere, said, "I'm leaving, Unnie," causing laughter.

Regarding the situation at the time, Jeong I-chan recalled, "The actors were really being scolded by the writer. I tend to leave things behind. After being scolded that day, I left a small script in the practice room. When I went back into the practice room to get the script and came out, I thought I should greet her again. So I said, 'I'm leaving, Unnie.' It seems the writer found it funny. I learned that she laughed at my appearance by watching the live broadcast," while showing an awkward smile.

He added, "Writer Lim Seong-han may look cold, but in reality, she is small in stature and very kind-hearted. If any actor seems unwell, she calls immediately. She never lets anything go by without listening carefully. I heard she called me right away after learning that I eat 7 to 8 eggs a day due to my weight, telling me, 'You shouldn't eat so many egg yolks.' She is a warm-hearted person," expressing his gratitude toward writer Lim Seong-han.

(Continuing to Interview ③)

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*This content was translated by AI.