'Omaejin' Chae Won-bin: "An Hyo-seop explained everything to me, from my first kiss scene after debut" [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

• Interview with actress Chae Won-bin, who plays the character Dam Ye-jin in the SBS Wednesday-Thursday drama 'Omaejin' (Today, Too, Sold Out)

Actress Chae Won-bin has successfully completed her first challenge in a romantic comedy. Shedding the heavy presence she showed in genre films, she transformed into a cute and energetic show host, revealing behind-the-scenes details of her first kiss scene, her chemistry with An Hyo-seop, and her honest feelings about the tagline "daughter of Han Suk-kyu."

Recently, Chae Won-bin met with StarNews at the Outer Universe headquarters in Seoul Gangnam-gu and discussed the SBS Wednesday-Thursday drama 'Omaejin' (script by Jin Seung-hee, directed by An Jong-yeon), which concluded last month on the 28th.

'Omaejin' is a romance drama that tells the story of perfectionist farmer Matthew Lee (played by An Hyo-seop) and sell-out show host Dam Ye-jin (played by Chae Won-bin) getting entangled day and night. In the drama, Chae Won-bin played the role of show host Dam Ye-jin and delivered a passionate performance.

Chae Won-bin, who had previously shown a heavy presence in genre films such as 'The Opposition', 'The Witch Part 2. The Other One', and 'Girl's Judgment', underwent a transformation in her acting for this work.

Chae Won-bin revealed that she tried to focus more on the work itself rather than feeling burdened by the new challenge. She said, "Since it was the opposite of my previous works, I could think more about the work itself rather than personal things," and added, "So I didn't have the luxury to think about the burden."

She also faced the unique challenges that come with the romantic comedy genre head-on. Chae Won-bin confessed, "When I said I was doing a rom-com, people around me asked, 'How did you end up doing something so difficult?' But I didn't know what the difficult parts were." She continued, "But as I was filming, I realized it. There were many things I had to think about." She further explained, "In the case of genre films, the expression comes naturally as you follow the character's thought flow, but in rom-coms, there are many additional things to pay attention to and think about. It was difficult because I had to think a lot about how the audience would perceive it when it was shown."

Contrary to expecting physical exhaustion, she also gained positive energy through the character. Chae Won-bin said, "I thought I would have to use a lot of physical energy. I was prepared to get tired, but I actually gained a lot of strength through the character." She added, "Ye-jin is so active, passionate, and talkative. As I got used to it, that energy came to me positively."

The steady support from her family became a reliable pillar. Chae Won-bin shared her family's reaction, saying, "My older sister liked it so much." She continued, "I was always truly grateful because when the drama came out, they would say, 'That scene was so good,' or 'Your outfit in that scene was so pretty,' giving specific praise. They said they were happy to see my different side."

She repeatedly expressed her gratitude toward An Hyo-seop, with whom she shared the screen in her first romantic comedy. Chae Won-bin said, "He is someone I am so grateful to. I received so much help." She added, "It was really fun to see him come up with ideas for every scene. That's why I wanted to film quickly. He gave me so many ideas."

She further added, "Senior An Hyo-seop has a pure gaze, a boyish gaze," and "He also saw the parts hidden in the script."

Warm advice from senior actors who shared the set also became a stepping stone for her growth. Chae Won-bin shared the on-set atmosphere, saying, "What I was grateful for was that they encouraged me a lot." She explained, "If a brilliant idea came to mind during rehearsals, they would suggest it. Also, when I was worried or struggling, they would encourage me by saying, 'You're doing so well,' or 'Just do it like this,' and I never forgot to express my gratitude."

In particular, she shared honest behind-the-scenes details about her first kiss scene filmed after her debut. Chae Won-bin confessed, "I was trembling on set. I had never been in a Navy Headquarters situation before."

She explained, "Also, speed was important when approaching. The speed I perceived was different from the speed captured on screen. To get a shot where we are facing each other, we had to get close enough that the focus wouldn't be set. Even when kissing, I had to pay attention to the speed of approaching and my focus." Recalling the time of the kiss scene, she said, "I was in an overloaded state," and added, "There were even more things I had to think about. Thinking about those things made me even more stiff."

What melted the frozen Chae Won-bin was the careful consideration of her partner, An Hyo-seop. Chae Won-bin recalled, "Whenever that happened, Senior An Hyo-seop would say, 'Please tell me if anything is uncomfortable,' and 'I'll do this first,' explaining everything one by one. He even explained how to approach while holding hands." She then revealed, "If it weren't for that kind of delicacy and consideration, I think I would have finished while trembling, but thanks to him, I was able to relax while filming."

She also mentioned the differences between the action acting and romance acting she had mainly showcased until now. Chae Won-bin explained, "With action, I could calculate that if I did it this way, the strength would show, but the love scenes are more delicate and are about human emotions and experiences, so they seemed much more detailed." She added, "The parts I had to think about were detailed. It was a delicate work with a different conclusion."

Chae Won-bin also revealed the meaning this work holds for her. She said, "This is a work that really trained me," and expressed her affection, "There were so many new things. It's a work that woke up my small muscles and fine muscles."

Having successfully completed her first romantic comedy, she did not hide her thirst for future endeavors. Chae Won-bin said, "I want to do a rom-com again," and "If you can wait for me, I hope to be with a good work. Currently, I am preparing for a historical drama. I am also preparing for the historical drama with a new mindset."

Chae Won-bin, who is raising expectations by showing a new face in every work, was trying hard not to lose her center. Chae Won-bin revealed her conviction, "I try to avoid showing such reactions as much as possible."

She continued, "There are many moments when I have to fight myself while acting. If I feel burdened by such external factors, I think it will be hard for me to think for myself," but she also said, "Still, thinking that way is a great honor and I am grateful."

She also confessed her honest feelings about the public tagline "daughter of Han Suk-kyu," which was ingrained through her past works. Chae Won-bin previously delivered a passionate performance as Jang Ha-bin, the daughter of Jang Tae-soo (played by Han Suk-kyu), in the MBC drama 'Such an Intimate Betrayal', which concluded in 2024, and won the MBC Drama Awards New Actress Award that year.

Regarding the glorious title of "daughter of Han Suk-kyu," Chae Won-bin said, "I like the senior so much, so I like it," but she also carefully confessed, "My heart is happy, but I think more about the senior than myself. Of course, the senior wouldn't mind at all, but as a junior, I sometimes feel a bit sorry."

In response to a question about whether she has any new taglines she wants to acquire, she offered an answer filled with her own convictions. Chae Won-bin said, "In the same vein as saying that feeling burdened by external things makes things difficult, I wish there were no taglines," and revealed her ambition to become a free actor who is not trapped in any framework.

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*This content was translated by AI.