It’s a hot summer in Korea and things are only getting hotter as more and more BL Dramas are being released! Currently, OMEGA X member Hangyeom gathered his bravery and debuted for the first time – but as a BL actor!
Fans are delighted to see the charming singer come to life in the new show Jazz For Two, an adaption of the popular webtoon series.
The original webtoon became #1 on the BL webtoon chart on Lezhin Comics in 2017. Its story follows the struggles and pressures of four high school students attending an art school. There, they experience discovering their true selves and growing up through love and music. Hangyeom plays Suh Do Yoon, a student at Wooyeon Arts School. He is a playful drum player with an optimistic personality and is hiding a longtime secret crush. See the trailer below!
Before debuting, Hangyeom revealed in a message to fans that “I was a bit nervous and scared to try acting for the first time, but I was able to film with great confidence and joy! So please send a lot of love and support.”
Along with Hangyeom, Jaehan from OMEGA X has also shown support and taken part in making and singing the original soundtrack for the new drama. ZAPZEE also wanted to showcase our love for BL Dramas and OMEGA X by highlighting Hangyeoms’s wonderful experiences in our exclusive interview! See what Hangyeom thought about his acting debut, experience playing a gay character and even… a story of a kiss scene? Let’s keep reading!
>> Exclusive Interview: OMEGA X Thank Fandom for Their World Tour Success + Life in a New Agency
Q. How does it feel to finally be an actor? What was the hardest challenge? How did you feel the first day you were filming on set?
Hangyeom: “First, I want to greet my fans right away! Hello, this is Hangyeom! I’m happy to meet you through this interview. To answer the question, I was very nervous to have my acting debut, but able to wrap up the shoot thanks to all the help from my fellow actors and staff. I practiced a lot because I was worried that the tone and nuance in my lines might sound awkward. I especially remember the first day of the shoot, and the weather that day was extremely hot. The shoot was for a classroom scene so we filmed indoors, and we had to close the windows and turn off all fans and AC so there is no interruption in audio and camera. For that scene, many staff and the supporting cast put in the hard work, motivating me to not make any mistakes so we could wrap it up as soon as possible. I tried my best to adjust to that environment quickly and to act out the scene naturally.”
Q. Why did you decide to perform and debut as an actor in a BL series? Have you ever read or watched a BL series?
Hangyeom: “I watched A Shoulder to Cry On which my members appeared on. Also, the opportunity to try acting came up around the same time I got interested in acting, leading me to debut as an actor in Jazz for Two.”
Q. What do you think of the rise in popularity of BL in Korea as of late?
Hangyeom: “First of all, I would like to thank all the viewers who are watching Jazz for Two. I’m just happy to witness more people paying attention to various works and dramas with an open mind, leading to a variety of works to be produced and the genre to be loved widely.”
Q. What does the character Suh Do Yoon mean to you? What do you want to portray to viewers through this character and role?
Hangyeom: “To me, Suh Do Yoon represents freedom. Looking back, I think I was able to overcome the time of hardships and challenges in life by taking the role of Do Yoon, who is bright, optimistic, and free. Thank you, Do Yoon!”
Q. Are there any moments you felt similar to or could relate to your character Suh Do Yoon?
Hangyeom: “While filming the drama, I thought a lot about my own school days. Back then I was the epitome of an ENFP person who is always bright and not afraid to talk to strangers. Especially the scene where Do Yoon approaches Se Heon, the transfer student, easily reminded me of my resemblance to the character.”
Q. Tell us about the kiss scene? Was it a challenge or was there something more challenging to film and act out as a gay character?
Hangyeom: “There is a peck scene where the peck itself looks light but the emotions in it are not light at all. (laughs) To be honest, I was quite worried about that scene before the shoot began, but I was able to immerse myself in it by talking a lot to my partner, Kim Jung Ha, who played the role of Joo Ha. Shout out to Kim Jung Ha!” – seems like a good kisser! Check out the romantic scenes below!
Q. Would you perform in more BLs or even musicals that explore diverse LGBTQIA characters such as Kinky Boots, Hedwig, Jamie, etc.?
Hangyeom: “Yes, I’d love to challenge myself regarding any genre. Right now one of my favorite actors, Cho Jung Seok, is appearing on Hedwig in Korea, and I’m looking into an opportunity to watch the musical. (laughs)”
Q. What do you think about Korean society’s outlook towards gay communities and the LGBTQIA?
Hangyeom: “I am not sure if I’m the best person to speak about the topic since I still have a lot more to learn, but I do believe that more and more people in Korea are looking at the LGBTQIA community with an open mind.”
Q. Anything you want to say to your fans and people who saw or will see this drama?
Hangyeom: “Hello to all fans who are watching and loving Jazz for Two, this is Hangyeom who played the role of Suh Do Yoon! Thank you so much for sending a lot of support and love even before the drama began airing. The four main casts of the drama will meet you with more various activities and charms, so please look forward to our future endeavors!”
Hangyeom was all laughs and smiles throughout the interview spreading positivity and joy for his participation in a unique drama and pride in his role. Hopefully, we can see more of the OMEGA X members taking on unique projects in the future?
Don’t forget to follow OMEGA X and Hangyeom on SNS and be sure to enjoy the episodes. Jazz for Two began airing in March 2024 with eight 30-minute episodes and can be watched on iQIYI in various countries. Follow ZAPZEE for more updates and exclusive interviews with your favorite Korean celebrities, too! Don’t forget to check out the official behind the scene photos down below~
The post Exclusive Interview: OMEGA X Hangyeom BL Kiss Scene Drove Fans Wild + Talks of Future Acting Plans appeared first on ZAPZEE – Premier Korean Entertainment Magazine.