Go Yoon-jung “Elementary school student? I can’t admit it, high school student… Director Shin Won-ho is like a father” (Unsuljeon①) [DA : Interview]

TV May 30, 2025

Translation


Unlike her pretty face, her speech and behavior are like that of a boy.She is so straightforward that it is tough.It makes you question whether she is acting the character right.The character is the actor itself.This is the story of Go Yoon-jung, who played Oh Yi-young, a first-year resident obstetrician and gynecologist at Jongno Yulje Hospital in tvN weekend drama ‘Someday, Wise Resident Life’ (creator Shin Won-ho, Lee Woo-jung, director Lee Min-soo, scriptwriter Kim Song-hee).

‘Someday, I Will Be a Wise Resident’ (abbreviated as ‘Unseuljeon’) contains the process of residents growing up with dreams of becoming a wise doctor someday.It is the first spin-off of the ‘Wise Doctor Life’ series.It is a work that tells the story of residents in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jongno Yulje Hospital.

In the drama, Oh Yi-young, played by Go Yoon-jung, is the central character of the drama and the problematic resident.She is a character who has been at the center of many rumors since the beginning.She lives a life of training to pay off her overdraft debt, but she is sincere to her patients.Her soulless face and speech, and her indifferent expression are her trademarks.She is tough and says what she wants to say.She even has the audacity to complete the romance by ‘plotting’ her in-laws.And Go Yoon-jung, who completed this Oh Yi-young, is one with the character.Go Yoon-jung is so similar to Oh Yi-young that it is hard to tell if it is method acting or real life.


“When I first encountered the character of Oh Yi-young, I think I first looked for similarities and differences between us.I thought about why Oh Yi-young thinks this way and tried to understand it.There is no part of Oh Yi-young’s behavior that I don’t understand.Oh Yi-young has a clear ‘motivation.’ She has a clear purpose.She may seem unmotivated, but she has a clear purpose when she works and with people she likes.When she works to pay off her debt and is ‘ridiculed’ by the world, I feel excited and happy for the support and comfort of Gu Do-won(played by Jung Joon-won), who believes in her.Oh Yi-young is a friend who needs a motivation no matter what she does.However, if I were a patient, I wouldn’t want to meet a doctor like Oh Yi-young.I can’t trust a doctor who seems blunt and unmotivated.Even in my eyes, Oh Yi-young is like that at the beginning of the drama.(Laughs)Fortunately, I’m glad that Oh Yi-young’s growth was well-drawn.I’m satisfied.”

Go Yoon-jung said that she has the highest level of synchronization with Oh Yi-young among the characters she has played so far.Her affection and attachment to the character of Oh Yi-young are extraordinary.”I haven’t played many works, but of all the characters I have played so far, this one has the highest level of synchronization.That’s why I think filming it was more fun.We are very similar in that we go all-in when we get into something.I also resemble Oh Yi-young, who is very affectionate.What’s different? Wouldn’t I be better at socializing than Oh Yi-young? Hahaha.Director Shin Won-ho said that I sound like a fifth-grade elementary school boy, but I can’t accept that.I don’t understand it.I think he thought that because I don’t speak like an adult, but a fifth-grade elementary school boy? Personally, I think I’m about the same age as a high school student.(Laughs)Director Shin Won-ho is like a father to us.He takes good care of me.”


‘Someday, I Will Be a Wise Resident’ deals with the story of residents, but the part that really became a hot topic was the ‘in-law romance’ between Oh Yi-young and Gu Do-won.The process of the two characters, who are in-laws, live in the same house, and are senior and junior at the hospital, becoming a couple was a point of interest in ‘Someday, I Will Be a Wise Resident’.

“I didn’t expect it at all.No, no one expected this reaction.The production staff and my fellow ‘OBGY’ members were flustered.I was taken aback.I thought it might be uncomfortable or burdensome, but many people responded that they were ‘thrilled.’ I was happy that they cheered me on.Jung Joon-won oppa? He’s really good at acting.Even after rehearsing and going into filming, I get new stimulation.And he’s actually a really funny person.You know? Someone who says he’s going to say something funny but ends up saying something that’s not funny.He’s that funny.My oppa is really timid, so I wonder if I can act in a melodrama with him, but once filming starts, he immediately becomes a helper.That’s what makes Jung Joon-won oppa so charming.If I had any worries, I think it would be because of the setting in the drama where they’re in-laws.He’s the in-laws ‘daughter, but at the same time, he’s the doctor’s junior at the hospital.I think it wasn’t easy to act naturally while maintaining the difference in that relationship setting.”


There must have been the burden of a romance between in-laws, but there must have also been the pressure of having to lead the entire production.Go Yoon-jung also said that she learned and grew through ‘Someday, I Will Be a Wise Resident’.

“The physical burden was greater than the burden of being the main character.I had to be familiar with the entire project and not lose focus.I really felt the importance of physical strength this time.I caught a lot of colds.I thought that physical strength management was the way for everyone, including the staff and actors.When I caught a cold, it was no longer a nuisance.And I learned a lot as an actor.The importance of consideration.In ‘Law School,’ Kim Beom oppa and Ryu Hye-young unnie took care of me and the other actors even when there were a lot of lines and a lot to prepare.Once you lose focus, it’s hard to get it back, but my sister and brother took care of us in those situations.I think it’s consideration that can never be easily achieved.So I thought I had to become a good senior.An actor who can be considerate and work together on set.I learned responsibility and consideration once again this time.”

Go Yoon-jung is a popular actress.Her next work is also about to be released.”This time, it’s a romance.However, it’s a little different from the story of the Oh Yi-young and Koo Do-won couple.I think you’ll feel something different.Please look forward to it.”

Hong Se-young, reporter for Donga.com projecthong@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.