Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Yu Jin Kim
Imagine a guy at work who pretends to know you, but when you tell him to stop, he suddenly gives you the cutest puppy dog eyes. He also has a soft spot for sea otters and loves blowing bubbles. This is Yoon Tae Oh, a 6’1″ Korean exchange student in Japan with a surprising charm that defies his tall stature. He’s the leading man in drama Eye Love You, which is becoming a sensation not only in Japan but worldwide. With Chae Jong Hyeop‘s rising popularity from playing Yoon Tae Oh, people are digging deeper into his other works too.
>> Chae Jong Hyeop Makes Stellar Debut in Japan: ‘Eye Love You’ Takes Netflix by Storm
Castaway Diva (2023)
Castaway Diva tells the story of Seo Mok Ha (played by Park Eun Bin), an aspiring singer who gets rescued from a deserted island after 15 long years. The drama grabbed attention as Park Eun Bin’s follow-up project to the megahit Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Chae Jong Hyeop also received praise for his performance opposite Park Eun Bin. He plays Kang Bo Gul, a secretive broadcasting producer who hides his real name, Jung Ki Ho, due to a past filled with domestic violence. Though guarded with his emotions, Bo Gul shows a soft spot for Mok Ha, their childhood connection forming a special bond. Many viewers loved the unique romance between these two characters. Chae Jong Hyeop even mentioned, “My most memorable moment filming the drama was when Bo Gul revealed his true identity to Mok Ha.”
Love All Play (2022)
Love All Play is a youthful drama about the members of a professional badminton team. Starring opposite Park Joo Hyun, Chae Jong Hyeop plays Park Tae Joon, a talented player who views badminton solely as a job. Unlike his passionate teammates, Tae Joon feels lost and lacks direction. Chae Jong Hyeop’s portrayal beautifully captures this relatable struggle, making Tae Joon a character everyone can connect with. He even went the extra mile to embody his role, learning proper footwork, racket handling, jumps, and landings like a true professional. This dedication paid off, as he earned the Best New Actor award at the 2022 KBS Drama Awards for his outstanding performance.
Chae Jong Hyeop landed his first lead role in The Witch’s Diner. He plays Gil Yong, a part-timer at a magical diner run by a witch, Hee Ra (played by Song Ji Hyo), and her partner, Jin (played by Nam Ji Hyun). Gil Yong’s kind and positive personality brightens the mood of the drama, where customers pay a hefty price to have their wishes granted. The show takes viewers on a dark and fantastical journey, blending elements of a fairy tale with a twist, with much effort to make it visually stunning and entertaining to watch. The scene where the witch’s outfit morphs and the talking mandrake tree springs to life with mind-blowing CGI had everyone raving about the show’s top-notch production quality.
Nevertheless (2021)
Nevertheless is a steamy romance drama that gained major buzz thanks to its star-studded cast, featuring Han So Hee and Song Kang. It broke away from the cliche of coincidental and forced romances and depicted the struggles of youth in a realistic way that everyone could relate to. Chae Jong Hyeop played the role of Yang Do Hyeok, Yoo Na Bi’s (Han So Hee) hometown friend who has a crush on her, and played a part in the love triangle. In the drama, Do Hyeok reunites with Na Bi on a bus after 10 years, but when the bus brakes suddenly, the potato he is holding rolls away. Thanks to that scene, Chae Jong Hyeop earned the nickname “Potato Boy.” Do Hyeok might not have gotten the girl, but he definitely stole hearts with his kindness and thoughtfulness. Viewers loved him so much, he became known as one of the best supporting characters around.
Hot Stove League (2019)
Hot Stove League tells the story of a struggling baseball team called the Dreamers and their fight to rise from the bottom of the league under a new general manager. Chae Jong Hyeop plays Yoo Min Ho, a talented young pitcher who never gives up on his dream, even when faced with harsh realities. In the series, Min Ho is offered a ridiculously low salary of 27 million won ($20,000) at his first contract negotiation with a team that no player wants to be associated with, but he tries to smile through it. He later struggles with a slump and works hard to overcome it, which draws sympathy from the viewers. To prepare for the role, Chae Jong Hyeop trained at a baseball academy, underwent intense pitching practice, and even gained weight to achieve the physique of a real baseball player. His dedication, along with his impressive 6’1″ height and broad shoulders, helped him embody the character completely.
>> Chae Jong Hyeop Reveals He Has Been Diagnosed With Epilepsy
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
