Jeon Mi Do, best known for her iconic role in Hospital Playlist, recently shared the incredible behind-the-scenes story of her casting in the hit tvN drama.

On January 19, Jeon Mi Do appeared on the Yojeong Jaehyung YouTube channel, where she opened up about her journey to landing the role of Cha Song Hwa in Hospital Playlist.

Although she was a rising star in the musical world, her acting experience was minimal, with only a special appearance in the drama Mother.

Jeon Mi Do revealed that she was contacted by a senior from her school, who worked as a casting director.

"I didn’t even know they were working in this field until I received the call," she said, explaining that she had low expectations after not landing a big role in Mother. She added, "I thought it would be fine even if I was cast as a small role, like a patient or a guardian."

However, things quickly changed as Jeon Mi Do realized that she was actually auditioning for the lead role. "The first audition was for the first scene of season 1, and the second one was with Jo Jung Suk's character, Ik-jun," she explained.

But here’s the surprising twist! Director Shin Won Ho actually paused the audition for an entire hour after seeing Jeon Mi Do.

"He was thinking, 'She seems like Cha Song Hwa, but what should I do?'" Jeon Mi Do shared. The director was unsure about casting a newcomer in such an important role, especially with four well-known actors already signed for the male leads.

Thankfully, Jo Jung Suk came to the rescue. "He had seen my performance and wanted to recommend me," Jeon Mi Do said. This recommendation helped convince Director Shin that even though she was new to acting, her casting would not disrupt the team dynamics.

Jeon Mi Do also revealed that Yoo Yeon Seok, another Hospital Playlist cast member, had heard about her audition and supported her as well.

"Yoo Yeon Seok found out I had auditioned and said it would be great for us to work together," she said. This further reassured the director, who felt confident in her casting.

Jeon Mi Do’s humble journey to landing the role of Cha Song Hwa shows how support from colleagues like Jo Jung Suk and Yoo Yeon Seok played a huge part in her success. It’s a reminder that teamwork and encouragement can lead to incredible outcomes.

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Director Kim Hyung Joo of The Match has finally shared his thoughts on Yoo Ah In’s involvement in a drug scandal, calling it a major disappointment, especially considering the actor’s role as the lead in the film.

On March 19th, the director attended a press screening and briefing for The Match at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Alongside Kim, actors Lee Byung Hun, Ko Chang Seok, Hyun Bong Sik, Moon Jung Hee, and Jo Woo Jin were present to discuss the film.

The Match revolves around the legendary Go player Cho Hun Hyun (played by Lee Byung Hun), who, after a loss to his disciple, decides to challenge the top players again, driven by his competitive spirit. The movie is directed by Kim Hyung Joo.

Lee Byung Hun plays the iconic Go champion Cho Hun Hyun, while Yoo Ah In portrays his disciple, Lee Chang Ho.

During the event, Kim recalled the casting process, saying, "When we were casting, Lee Byung Hun was cast first. Just having him felt like we had the world, and then, getting Yoo Ah In as a bonus made me even happier."

Although filming wrapped up in 2021, Yoo Ah In's drug scandal led to the indefinite postponement of the film’s release. Now, nearly four years later, The Match is finally set to hit theaters on March 26th.

Reflecting on Yoo Ah In's scandal, Director Kim openly shared his frustration, calling it "irresponsible and disappointing" for the actor to make such a mistake as the lead.

He added, “Before being an actor, he made a mistake as a member of society and was punished, so I don’t think there’s much more to say.” Kim smiled bitterly as he spoke.

Describing the challenges he faced due to the scandal, Kim compared the experience to being trapped in "a hellish tunnel."

He said, "There was nothing I could do inside, so it was overwhelming. But now that we have the light of release, it feels like I can breathe. I’m deeply moved."

The director also shared that because Yoo Ah In was the lead actor, the film had to be released as it was, without editing. This has led some people to feel uneasy about watching the film, given the actor’s scandal.

When asked about this, Director Kim said, "Choosing and judging is up to the audience, so I can't force anything. But I hope they watch the movie as it is. I unintentionally got hurt before the release, so I hope people watch the movie warmly, as if applying ointment to a wound."

The Match will officially be released on March 26th.

Source: [1]