[HanCinema's News] Yoon Jin-young Talks About Move to Acting

Comedian Yoon Jin-young is best known for his work on variety shows. However, the actor surprised many with his appearance in "Hansan: Rising Dragon" where he played a very different role, as a commander close to the legendary general Yi Sun-shin. In a recent experience, Yoon Jin-young was happy about the historical war film's success- in part because this is an opening for him to take more serious acting roles going forward.

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Yoon Jin-young insisted that numbers are numbers, and it was still an honor or him to be able to appear in the movie regardless of those. Yoon Jin-young said that he learned a lot about acting from his senior colleagues on the project, and that he approached "Hansan: Rising Dragon" as a possible learning experience. As a performer who has not typically worked in serious dramatic roles, Yoon Jin-young saw "Hansan: Rising Dragon" as an important first step.

Yoon Jin-young obtained the role of General Song via a competitive audition. The main descriptor for the character in the script was merely that he had high self-esteem. Director Kim Han-min selected Yoon Jin-young for the role in part because he thought Yoon Jin-young was brave for attempting to audition for the role at all, and that this was a good fit for the part. Yoon Jin-young described himself as holding the gratitude of a lifetie to Kim Han-min for giving him this opportunity.

Yoon Jin-young had to watch the movie three times to fully appreciate the work he did. The first time, Yoon Jin-young claimed to be so enthralled with the action he couldn't remember his own role. The second time, he was surprised upon finally recognizing himself. The overall experience was transformative for Yoon Jin-young in many ways. He received the role the day after learning his wife was pregnant, and she gave birth on the final day of filming.

Yoon Jin-young's co-star Park Hae-il, who was described by Yoon Jin-young in very positive terms as a brother gave Yoon Jin-young a present of congratulations in this regard- baby clothes. Though Park Hae-il said very little as he turned to look to the ocean, Yoon Jin-young called to him as general to offer thanks. An emotional Yoon Jin-young had failed to buy baby clothes while he was out about. "Hansan: Rising Dragon" was released in South Korean theaters this past July 27th.

Written by William Schwartz