Actor Yoon Sang-jung (27) showcased her quirky charm in 'Study Group', capturing the attention of viewers.
The TVING original 'Study Group' is based on the popular webtoon of the same name (written by Shin Hyung-wook, illustrated by Yoo Seung-yeon, produced by Wylab). It is a comedic high school action drama about Yoon Ga-min (played by Hwang Min-hyun), who wants to study well but has all his talent focused on fighting, as he forms a 'Study Group' while diving into a bloody entrance exam at the worst school.
Recently, Yoon Sang-jung met with Star Today at the Maekyung Media Center in Chungmuro, Seoul, and shared, "I already miss it so much. The set with my friends was so much fun. We had a reading in August and filmed from September to March of the following year. We were together in summer, fall, and winter, so the absence is significant," reflecting on the end of the show.
Yoon Sang-jung played the role of Choi Hee-won, the only non-combat member of the Yuseong High School Study Group, hiding her quirky charm behind shyness.
Yoon Sang-jung, who got cast in 'Study Group' through auditions, said, "I heard the casting director enjoyed watching 'Family' and recommended me. I didn't know much about 'Study Group', so I read the webtoon before the audition, and it was so much fun. I had no experience in school dramas, and I wanted to work with friends my age. I always ended up getting rejected when I wanted it too much, so I prepared with a mindset to let it go." She added, "The director told me that Hee-won was the first to be cast. He said, 'There’s no one who can bring Hee-won to life like Yoon Sang-jung,' which was very touching."
The character Choi Hee-won, played by Yoon Sang-jung, is a pure and quirky character with a four-dimensional charm in 'Study Group'.
Regarding this, Yoon Sang-jung said, "As the only non-combat member, Hee-won grows with the help of her friends, so I had a lot of thoughts on how to portray her three-dimensionally. There were clues in the script, and I tried to express things like shouting with a big, deep voice and making running look fun. I aimed to build the character so that the line 'I’m pregnant with Ga-min’s child' wouldn’t seem over the line but rather be portrayed as whimsically cute." She recalled, "The swearing scene wasn’t burdensome; it was actually enjoyable. I’ve never had a role where I had to shout loudly while acting, and it felt cathartic."
'Study Group' features a cast of peers, including Hwang Min-hyun (as Yoon Ga-min), Lee Jong-hyun (as Kim Se-hyun), Shin Soo-hyun (as Lee Ji-woo), and Gong Do-yu (as Lee Joon).
Yoon Sang-jung said, "Working with friends my age definitely created a good synergy, and it was really nice to exchange energy. Hwang Min-hyun would treat us to delicious food and create opportunities for us to meet, which helped us become friends faster. Even though we are peers, having someone you can respect in the middle creates a pleasant energy, making me want to do better. I thought to myself that I should become someone like Hwang Min-hyun someday."
Despite being a work featuring many newcomers, 'Study Group' gained a reputation for its quality, recording high popularity and ranking first in paid subscriptions on TVING for four consecutive weeks, ending on a positive note. It also gained significant popularity overseas.
Yoon Sang-jung said, "Before it was released, I was anxious. I hoped the results would be good since everyone worked so hard. These days, there are many cases where releases are delayed, so I had worries about when it would be released. After it aired, I was pleasantly surprised that so many people liked it, and the actors even talked about 'What if there’s a season 2?'" She added, "When I see my social media followers increasing or comments from overseas fans, I feel that the drama has done well."
How will Yoon Sang-jung remember 'Study Group'?
She said, "This was my first long-form school drama. I have fond memories of us deciding to rehearse on our own and trying to match our rhythms. Since we were able to actively engage and do well through one scene, I think each scene remains vividly in my memory. I believe 'Study Group' will be remembered that way."
Regarding her next project, Yoon Sang-jung said, "I think I can greet you with one project by the end of this year. I’m not fixated on the number of works; my goal is to feel that this character has done well in this role, and that’s my lifelong dream." She expressed her desire, saying, "I want to be an actor who resonates in people's hearts. I want to be an actor who gives energy."
[Shin Young-eun, Star Today Reporter]
