ComingSoon Lead Writer Varsha Narayanan recently spoke to OMEGA X Member Hangyeom about his acting debut in the popular BL K-drama Jazz For Two.
Jazz For Two premiered on March 26, 2024, and is a K-drama adaptation of the popular webtoon of the same name. The storyline follows a group of high school students who navigate many struggles while forming deep friendships and meaningful relationships. Hangyeom is one of the main leads in the drama and plays Suh Do-Yoon. Do-Yoon not only has a bubbly personality but also hides a longtime secret crush.
Before Hangyeom, other members of OMEGA X, Jaehan, and Yechan, were also part of a successful BL K-drama, A Shoulder to Cry On. Meanwhile, both Hangyeom and Jaehan contributed to the soundtrack of Jazz For Two. In the series, Hangyeom’s character, Do-Yoon, hides his secret crush for as long as he can before circumstances lead him to make a sudden confession. Hangyeom portrays various emotions through his character, marking a solid acting debut with this memorable role.
Jazz For Two also stars Ji Ho-Geun (Han Tae-Yi), Kim Jin-Kwon (Yoon Se-Heon), and Kim Jung-Ha (Song Joo-Ha) in main roles. Check out posters and photos of the cast in the series below.
Photo Credit: IPQ
Varsha Narayanan: What made you try your hand at acting? What inspired you to pursue it?
HANGYEOM: When I got interested in the field of acting, I was eager to challenge myself, and I had the opportunity to participate in a great project like Jazz for Two. It was an honor to work on my first project with Director Song Su-Lim, and I was delighted to play a character that matched me well.
What attracted you to Jazz For Two that led you to make your debut with it?
HANGYEOM: What intrigued me the most was the aspect of the drama involving music. Above all, when I first read the script for Jazz for Two, I really felt that it would be fun. That’s what ultimately led me to decide to make my debut with it.
What attracted you to the character of Suh Do-Yoon, and how did you prepare for it?
HANGYEOM: The outgoing and social nature of the character appealed to me because it reminded me of my younger self. I found myself pondering, “How would my younger self have handled this situation?” while preparing for this role.
You have essayed roles both as a friend and as a lover. They both took different emotions out of you. How did you adapt yourself to playing both these roles simultaneously?
HANGYEOM: When I was with Tae-Yi and Se-Heon, several scenes felt like hanging out with best friends. So, on set, I often joked around with the other actors and aimed to recreate the feeling of meeting friends at school every day.
On the other hand, working with Kim Jung-Ha, who portrayed Joo-Ha, involved numerous emotional scenes depicting lovers. Therefore, I thought we needed to spend ample time together, get to know each other well, and understand each other’s emotions. Through extensive practice sessions together, I got many insights into Do-Yoon and Joo-ha’s emotional dynamics.
Your comic timing in the drama is impeccable. Was it challenging to achieve it? Would you like to share some thoughts about it?
HANGYEOM: Most of Do-Yoon’s scenes were quite similar to my real-life self, so I didn’t really encounter any major difficulties. However, there’s a scene where Se-Heon talks about the genre ‘jazz,’ and I respond with, “Jazz? Skibidi-bop-bop – like that?” (laughs). I felt a bit pressured and challenged to make sure that scene was comedic and fun, but seeing how many people enjoyed it, I guess I did well, right? (laughs).
What was your first day on set like? How were you feeling about entering an entirely new environment, and what were your concerns?
HANGYEOM: It was a blend of excitement and nervousness. I was extremely nervous, but I was also excited and anxious at the same time. However, I managed to overcome my nervousness. On the first day of shooting, I made a lot of effort to adapt to the atmosphere on set. Contrary to my concerns, the atmosphere on the set was so good that I was able to adapt well soon.
Could you share some memorable and fun moments while shooting the drama?
HANGYEOM: Haha, several moments come to mind. If I had to mention only one, when I was filming the basketball action scene with Joo-Ha, I got bruises on my thigh. It’s a secret to Joo-Ha!
What were some of the most challenging aspects of essaying your role as Suh Do-Yoon?
HANGYEOM: Rather than focusing solely on acting, the character of Do-yoon is unique, so it was important to showcase his individuality even through his outfits. In every scene, I wore various t-shirts underneath my school uniform to add a touch of personality. Constantly changing outfits was definitely one of the challenging aspects (laughs).
You had excellent chemistry with all the cast members. How did you manage to achieve it? How did you bond with your castmates?
HANGYEOM: I thought the drama relied heavily on the chemistry of the four main characters. I once considered how we actors can become close to each other, but it turned out that we naturally became close without any effort, which was great. It seems like there was no need for any effort for that (laughs). Oh, also, I created a group chat for the four main actors, and the name of the chat is “Jazz for Two Skrr.” Just a little TMI!
As a character, Suh Do-Yoon was somehow connected to the other three characters in one way or another. While essaying those roles, how did you make yourself shine as an individual?
HANGYEOM: Considering the role required many interactions with each actor, I made an effort to adjust my speech and attitude differently for each of them. I studied how Do-Yoon conversed and what attitude he adopted, and I worked hard to showcase Do-Yoon’s charm through diverse ways of speaking and attitudes. Since the character is sociable, I tried demonstrating that Do-Yoon understands and cares for everyone by showing empathy and consideration.
Taking your first step into the acting world with a BL drama is an exciting choice. Were there any concerns before or after filming the drama you would like to share?
HANGYEOM: Honestly, my main concern wasn’t about the genre but rather the challenge of acting itself, as it was my first time. I was mostly worried about my acting. I wanted to deliver a performance that would be enjoyable and not awkward for viewers regardless of the genre.
How different or similar do you think the acting was compared to singing, dancing, or songwriting?
HANGYEOM: Whether it’s acting or music, it’s about conveying emotions to the audience or viewers. Also, I think a similar aspect is being able to use my imagination and express it, whether it’s through acting or music. The difference is, with acting, you have to catch good timing while sharing lines with other actors.
What would you say you learned from your first acting role?
HANGYEOM: Firstly, I realized that challenges in life are truly valuable experiences. Through acting, I’ve been able to understand and contemplate emotions I had never felt before by living someone else’s life, which has left the biggest impression on me.
Would you be open to acting in the future? If yes, what roles would you want to play, and what genres would you like to experiment with?
HANGYEOM: I would like to continue challenging myself in acting without limiting myself to specific genres. If I had to choose, I’m particularly interested in romantic comedies or fantasy these days.
More specifically, would you opt to do more BL dramas?
HANGYEOM: I want to showcase my acting to more people by experiencing all genres, including BL. Right now, I have a strong desire to try anything.
Are there any other acting projects in the pipeline? Would you like to share something as a spoiler to your fans?
HANGYEOM: It hasn’t been long since Jazz for Two concluded, so I’m still striving to connect with many people like Do-Yoon from Jazz for Two. Although the main drama has concluded, the four main characters from Jazz for Two will reach out to fans around the world through various content and activities. Please look forward to it!
Please share a message with your fans.
HANGYEOM: First of all, I want to thank all the fans who loved Jazz for Two. In the future, I’ll show you various sides of myself and work hard, so please stay tuned. Also, I ask you to continue loving the four main characters of Jazz for Two. Bye!
Meanwhile, viewers can watch Jazz For Two on iQIYI (in selected regions). Fans can also follow Hangyeom here.
