The leads of “Check in Hanyang” have joined for an interview!
Set in the Joseon era, “Check in Hanyang” is a romance drama about four young people who become “interns” at Yongcheonru, the grandest inn in all of Joseon. Bae In Hyuk stars as Lee Eun Ho, a prince who is secretly hiding his identity, while Kim Ji Eun plays Hong Duk Soo, a woman who disguises herself as a man to join Yongcheonru.
Read our interview with Bae In Hyuk and Kim Ji Eun:
What were your first impressions of the “Check in Hanyang” script?
Bae In Hyuk: The concept of Yongcheonru felt new and intriguing, which made it really enjoyable. Each character has their own unique traits, so I was filled with anticipation as well.
Kim Ji Eun: There were so many aspects that I thought viewers and fans would love, so I was really looking forward to it! A lot of those aspects were also first-time challenges for me, which brought a sense of pleasant nerves.
What were your first impressions of each other, and what are your current impressions?
Bae In Hyuk: My first impression [of Kim Ji Eun] was that she seemed a bit cold. But as we continued filming, I realized she is the perfect embodiment of the character Hong Duk Soo. She is very easygoing and has a bright personality.
Kim Ji Eun: My first impression [of Bae In Hyuk] was that he was very polite, calm, and upright. Now, while that impression hasn’t changed much, I think there is also playfulness and childlike innocence within him.
Are there any aspects you paid special attention to for your roles?
Bae In Hyuk: I had to make sure there is a clear difference between how I act inside the palace and how I act in Yongcheonru. I focused a lot on my tone and intonation, especially when delivering lines or portraying demeanors that are unfamiliar [to the character].
Kim Ji Eun: I think the biggest focus was on portraying a woman disguised as a man. I spent a lot of time thinking about how to appear more naturally like a man. I also thought a lot about how Duk Soo would act to hide the fact that she is a woman. I adjusted my tone of voice to be slightly lower but only to the extent that it wouldn’t feel unnatural. I also fully committed physically while acting, running and rolling around. For makeup, I practiced extensively and created step-by-step distinctions for filming.
What do you think your characters’ MBTIs are?
Bae In Hyuk: Between I and E, I think he is more of an I. And between F and T, I’d say T. In most situations, he tends to step back and observe rather than take the lead, and he seems to view things from a more realistic perspective.
Kim Ji Eun: E…she is definitely extroverted. As for the rest, you will have to watch the drama to find out!
If you were an actual hotelier, which character do you think would be the best to work with?
Bae In Hyuk: [Jaechan’s character] Ko Soo Ra. While he may be a bit clumsy at times, his overflowing passion for everything he does even gives me energy. I like his enthusiastic attitude.
Kim Ji Eun: Ko Soo Ra. He is the type who always wants to take on more work.
Compared to modern-day dramas, what do you especially like about historical dramas, and what are some challenges that come with the genre?
Bae In Hyuk: I like that I get to learn and study various aspects of that era. Discovering elements I didn’t know before and learning about them is quite enjoyable. Another aspect is being able to travel to different parts of Korea. While traveling, I get to see many beautiful places that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
A challenge is having to act in a time period that I’ve never actually experienced. I think that is the most difficult part.Kim Ji Eun: Since we film a lot in rural areas, I often got to see wide-open, breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. I found myself thinking, “Wow, there are such beautiful locations in Korea. When else would I get to see places like this so often?” and I really enjoyed that. On the other hand, a challenge is also related to filming in rural areas—the commutes are longer because the locations are far away.
Do you monitor your own dramas a lot? What aspects do you focus on when monitoring?
Bae In Hyuk: I watch a lot. Once the drama starts airing, I can tune in at the broadcast time. I usually pay close attention to the emotional flow and the overall progression of the story.
Kim Ji Eun: Yes, I make sure not to miss a single episode and monitor everything. I tend to focus on whether my acting aligns with the goals I had set for each scene and whether I was able to express what I intended.
What is something new you haven’t tried yet but would like to learn in the future?
Bae In Hyuk: I want to learn how to play guitar. I think it would be nice to have at least one instrument I can play well.
Kim Ji Eun: I want to learn tennis, horseback riding, swimming, and English!
What music do you enjoy listening to these days?
Bae In Hyuk: Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of foreign hip hop. Since I am currently on break after concluding filming, I listen to it to keep my energy up and avoid feeling sluggish.
Kim Ji Eun: I enjoy listening to DAY6’s music!
What is your TMI of the day?
Bae In Hyuk: I cooked fried eggs, but I got a lot of eggshells in them.
Kim Ji Eun: I’m eating cashew nuts right now while answering these interview questions!
Please share a word for international fans watching “Check in Hanyang”!
Bae In Hyuk: I am so happy to be able to greet you through “Check in Hanyang.” I’ll keep working hard with the hope that one day I can meet you all in person thanks to your love and support. Hwaiting!! 💚
Kim Ji Eun: Hello! This is actress Kim Ji Eun. To all our international fans, thank you so much for showing interest for “Check in Hanyang” and tuning in! Since you have taken the time to watch, I’ll work even harder to repay you with great projects in the future!
Also check out a shoutout from “Check in Hanyang” cast members Bae In Hyuk, Kim Ji Eun, Jung Gun Joo, and Jaechan:
And exclusive photos of the four:
Watch “Check in Hanyang” below:
