He is like a fish in water. Yunho Yunho, floating in the waters off Sinan, Jeonnam, was not just a singer but the actor Jung Yunho himself.
Yunho Yunho, a member of the group TVXQ and actor (real name Jung Yunho), is receiving comments like "Isn't that someone else?" regarding his acting. He debuted as a successful singer in 2003 with SM Entertainment's representative idol group but struggled to stand out as an actor.
Now, 15 years after making his acting debut in the MBC drama "Heading to the Ground" in 2009, he is finally gaining recognition through the Disney+ original series "Fine: Country Bumpkins."
"Fine: Country Bumpkins" is set in 1977 and tells the story of those who flock to claim a sunken treasure ship in the waters of Sinan, Jeonnam. In the drama, Yunho Yunho plays the role of a gangster from Mokpo named "Jang Beolgu," earning rave reviews.
"He acts well," "I've replayed Yunho Yunho's acting more than five times," "His Seoul accent was awkward," "He can't act, he just can't speak Seoul dialect," "His gaze and expressions are quite actor-like," "I thought he was someone who looked like Yunho Yunho," "He does it well as if he’s wearing a tailored suit."
These are just a few of the reactions. Numerous reels made solely from Yunho Yunho's acting parts have garnered over 1,000 comments, with many expressing admiration. His performance stands out among seasoned actors like Yang Se-jong, Ryu Seung-ryong, Im Soo-jung, and Kim Jong-soo, capturing attention.
Yunho Yunho's continuous acting challenges have a narrative. He had a rough start with somewhat awkward acting in "Heading to the Ground," but he did not give up and consistently appeared in various works such as "Yawang" (SBS) in 2013, "The Night Watchman's Journal" (MBC) in 2014, "I Order You" (SBS Plus) in 2015, and "Meloholic" (OCN).
Although he had few opportunities to showcase his acting over nearly a decade, one notable work was the 2014 film "Ode to My Father." In this film, Yunho Yunho portrayed the character of Nam Jin, a popular idol star during the Vietnam War. He received praise for his adept use of the Jeolla dialect and for adding vitality to the film with his down-to-earth and relatable character. This was the only moment in his acting career that received acclaim and hinted at his potential.
For Yunho Yunho, who has not let go of acting, "Fine: Country Bumpkins" presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In fact, director Kang Yoon-sung initially had doubts about whether "this actor could do well." However, as filming progressed, he discovered Yunho Yunho's growth in acting and confidently stated, "When 'Fine' is released, people will realize he is a true actor, not just a member of TVXQ."
Just before the release of "Fine: Country Bumpkins," there was a strong possibility that Yunho Yunho's acting would become a target of ridicule. This was due to his previous lackluster acting skills and the recent resurgence of his past solo song "Thank You" (2021) as a meme on social media, which became a source of laughter. This started with the song's lyrics about "three lessons" becoming a point of humor for the public. In the song, Yunho Yunho talks about "keeping the good things to yourself," "keeping the sad things to yourself," and "not getting too excited or too down." His stage presence, which has always pursued a straight and upright image, made him a subject of fun and laughter for the audience.
In fact, during the production presentation of "Fine: Country Bumpkins" on the 8th, when Yunho Yunho mentioned receiving acting advice and support from Ryu Seung-ryong, actor Lee Dong-hwi responded, "That was a proper lesson," eliciting laughter. MC Park Kyung-rim also added to the humor by asking, "How many lessons were there?" referring back to the meme. At that time, Yunho Yunho enjoyed the situation with witty responses like, "The lessons were no joke," and "There were unseen lessons," but this transformed into a "sincere response" right after the release of the work.
After 23 years since his debut, Yunho Yunho still dreams of challenges. In a recent interview with a fashion magazine, he stated, "'Fine: Country Bumpkins' was a necessary challenge," and added, "If you endure, there are returns. Who would have thought 'Thank You' would be noticed like this? The perfect timing will surely come for everyone."
The "perfect timing" he mentioned might not be "Thank You" but rather "Fine: Country Bumpkins." His rediscovery of acting has become a significant factor in the success of "Fine: Country Bumpkins."
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
