Yoon Hyun-soo Feels Honored to Take Part in 'Chief Detective 1958'

연합뉴스 / 2024-05-23 09:28:28

▲ A profile photo of actor Yoon Hyun-soo, provided by Outer Universe Entertainment on May 22, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 23 (Yonhap) -- "Unforgettable for a lifetime. It was my first project with senior actor Lee Dong-hwi, who inspired my dreams, and it’s an honor to have been part of such a legendary piece. It’s also my first drama to record double-digit viewership. I’ll remember it forever," said actor Yoon Hyun-soo, who played the rookie detective Seo Ho-jung in the recently concluded MBC drama 'Chief Detective 1958.'

Yoon, who debuted in the 2021 SBS drama 'Racket Boys,' has since appeared in four TV dramas and three web dramas. His role as the youngest detective in the elite Investigation Team 1 of Seoul’s Jongnam Police Station has solidified his presence in the industry.

In an interview with Yonhap News on the 22nd, Yoon Hyun-soo expressed his astonishment at the high ratings, "It’s my first drama to exceed 10% viewership, and I’m really surprised."

▲ Actor Yoon Hyun-soo appears on this still photo of MBC's new series "Chief Detective 1958," provided by the TV broadcaster on May 22, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Seo Ho-jung, originally played by the late Kim Ho-jung in the predecessor 'Chief Detective,' is a rookie detective who handles various menial tasks under the lead character Park Young-han, played by Lee Je-hoon. "There wasn’t much material due to Kim Ho-jung's early passing, so I decided to create my own version of Seo Ho-jung, showcasing my unique charm," Yoon explained.

In the early episodes, Seo Ho-jung is portrayed as a privileged young man from a wealthy family who graduates from a prestigious university and defies his parents to become a detective. "I saw myself in Seo Ho-jung’s journey to pursue his dreams," Yoon reflected, sharing how he also found his passion for acting after watching the drama 'Reply 1988' in high school and expressed his desire to act to his mother.

Yoon drew parallels between himself and his character, especially in Ho-jung’s earnest pursuit of his dreams and his unspoken love for an older woman, Lee Hye-joo (played by Seo Eun-soo), who ends up marrying Detective Park Young-han.

▲ A profile photo of actor Yoon Hyun-soo, provided by Outer Universe Entertainment on May 22, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

As the series progresses, Seo Ho-jung evolves from a naïve rookie who mistakenly blows up the police chief’s car to a competent detective who apprehends criminals and uncovers crucial clues. "I wanted to show his growth as a detective," Yoon said, expressing satisfaction with viewers' positive feedback on his character’s development.

Yoon also received valuable advice from veteran actor Choi Bool-am, who originally played Park Young-han. "I had a brief but impactful conversation with Choi Bool-am on set. He described Seo Ho-jung as meticulous and thoughtful, always jotting down notes and speaking only after careful consideration," Yoon shared, explaining how he incorporated these traits into his performance.

Yoon's acting journey began in earnest after being inspired by Lee Dong-hwi’s performance in 'Reply 1988.' His dedication paid off as he found himself acting alongside his idol in 'Chief Detective 1958.' "It’s still unbelievable that I acted with Lee Dong-hwi. Seeing him mention me in an interview felt surreal," Yoon said, expressing his gratitude and disbelief.

In the midst of his success, Yoon Hyun-soo remains humble and grateful. When asked about his future goals, he smiled and said, "I’ve been fortunate to keep working without much rest since my debut, and I hope to continue doing so happily."