Top model Chae Jong-seok (27), who was considered the ‘runway king’ after walking in various fashion shows, had a proper ‘debut’ while expanding his field of activity to the acting stage this year. It‘s not just because of his boyish, innocent eyes, his tall height of 184 cm, and his looks that resemble ‘handsome rapper’ Simon Dominic.

Earlier this month, he had to face unexpectedly hot public attention after being caught up in a sensational dating rumor with actress Nana, who co-starred with singer Baek Ji-young in her music video ‘That’s Right’.

As a rookie, he was understandably flustered, but he seemed completely calm when we met him recently at the Sports Donga building in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. When asked about the truth of the dating rumors, he said, “It’s my private life so I’m careful to talk about it,” but he also praised his co-star Nana, saying, “She’s a senior I trust and follow.”

“It was my first time acting out a love scene where we hug and kiss in front of the camera, so I was nervous and awkward. But Nana told me, ‘If you act comfortably, I’ll accept it all.’ Those words really reassured me. Through this project, I learned ‘how to not be embarrassed in front of the camera.’ It was an incredible experience that I will never forget.”

Through this production, he also formed a meaningful relationship with director Lee Eung Bok, the ‘pioneer of K-drama.’ This is because the director was in charge of directing a music video for Baek Ji-young, who is celebrating her 25th debut anniversary this year.

“At first, I couldn’t believe it when I heard that Director Lee Eung-bok, who created my favorite drama, ‘Mr. Sunshine,’ would be directing. The director encouraged me by saying, ‘I’ll film everything, so just do as you’ve been doing.’ Thanks to him, I was able to show my original, unartificial self. If the director calls me again, I’ll run anywhere.”

As an ‘acting beginner,’ he said, “The charm of acting is discovering another side of myself,” and laughed, saying, “I’ve already failed countless auditions as a model, so I have the strength to persevere. I’ll do it until the end.”

“I also started modeling a little later than others, when I was 24. Originally, I was an ordinary student who loved fashion and was preparing to become a firefighter in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do. I wanted to challenge my dream of becoming a fashion designer one last time, so I came to Seoul in 2020 and worked at a fashion brand company for a year. I met model Park Kyung-jin through an acquaintance and got advice from him, so I started modeling.”

He said that he liked the way he “runs hard and recklessly toward his goal,” and emphasized that he “will continue to walk steadily without losing my “pace.”

“I don’t want to be confined by words like ‘model-turned-star.’ I didn’t start acting lightly, and I believe that someday everyone will realize my sincerity. Working hard is something I’m good at. I think that if I do my job well and only care about my “people,” that’s all there is to it.”


Reporter Yoo Ji-hye yjh0304@donga.com