‘Love Next Door’ Star Hae-In Jung on How He “Gains Strength and Encouragement From Fans”
K-Drama star Hae-In Jung has had a slew successful projects in the last decade he’s been active as an actor.
His first leading role, the 2018 Korean romantic drama series Something in Rain, brought the 36-year-old to a new level of fame. In recent years, Jung has taken on a variety of roles, including romance dramas One Spring Night and Snowdrop, the latter alongside Blackpink’s Jisoo, as well as the Netflix action series D.P.
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His latest project, Love Next Door, which aired on tvN in Korea and streams exclusively on Netflix, garnered him and his co-star So-Min Jung plenty of attention. Love Next Door ranked as the top cable program of the day for all of its 16-episode run.
The pair star as childhood friends who reconnect after So-Min’s character returns from living abroad in the U.S. Throughout the series, the pair show off their endearing push-and-pull relationship as adults and, not-so-spoiler-alert, fall in love.
Jung spoke through a translator with The Hollywood Reporter on a Zoom from Seoul to break down why he wanted to be a part of Love Next Door, how he and his co-star found their on-screen chemistry and what he wants to try next.
What drew you to Love Next Door?
The biggest reason I decided to join was the strength of the script. I felt it was a heartwarming drama.
What was your experience like on the show? Did you expect fans to enjoy it so much, and did the reactions exceed your expectations?
I thought I could approach this project with enjoyment, and I believed that both fans and viewers could relate to it and love it. The positive reactions made it even more enjoyable to participate.
Do you find taking on more light-hearted projects like Love Next Door is a nice break from more action-heavy shows or movies?
Each project has its own genre, so the atmosphere on set always feels different. For this [Love Next Door] project, there was less stress on set compared to before. While all genres are challenging, this one had a warm and healing tone, making me look forward to going to the set. I really enjoyed the filming process.
Can you speak a bit about your working relationship with your So-Min Jung? You had great onscreen chemistry. How did you work to build that life-long childhood friends bond on-screen?
My chemistry with Jung So-Min was great even before the first shoot. We had time to get to know each other before filming and talked a lot. Since there’s only a one-year age difference between us, it was easier to work comfortably together.
What is the biggest challenge of working in the romance genre?
In romance or melodrama, building trust with your co-star is key. I realized through this project that having mutual trust leads to better performances.
Have any past experiences on any of the shows you’ve worked on stood out to you still to this day? Do you have any favorite memories?
Something in the Rain was my first lead role, so it holds many memories. I learned a lot about what it means to lead a project, work with co-stars and create the atmosphere on set. Because the project was so well-loved, I think it paved the way for me to take on more lead roles.
What do you look for when you take on a new project?
The most important thing is whether the story has a clear message and strength. Since actors read the script first, it needs to be well-written and flow smoothly. If there’s anything that feels off, I tend to avoid it. I also consider whether I can fully portray the character. Genre doesn’t matter as much to me.
Is there a genre you haven’t tried yet that you’d really like to?
I haven’t done much in the sci-fi or comedy genres. I prefer works that provide healing or a sense of satisfaction, like romantic comedies or action. I’d also like to try a historical drama again since I haven’t done one since my rookie days.
Do you feel that your fans often motivate you to take on challenges and projects? What’s your relationship like with your fans?
Knowing that people find comfort and strength through my projects drives me to focus more on my work and acting. I believe there’s an exchange of energy between us. I gain strength and encouragement from fans, so I think we share a healthy and mutual relationship.
How do you want people to view you as an actor?
I want them to think, “I want to see what else this actor can do.”
What are your goals for the year ahead?
My goal is to do my best in the situations and environments I’m given. There are still fan meeting tours to look forward to, including visits to South America, which I’m very excited about as it’ll be my first time in those countries. I’m also preparing for a project in the first half of next year, so I’m working hard on reading scripts and getting ready.
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