“My affection for the character grew so much that when viewers praised my performance, I felt more than gratitude—I was genuinely moved to tears,” the actor shared.
Despite facing criticism over his acting during the early episodes of TV Chosun’s ‘Doctor Shin,’ Jung Yi-chan received increasing acclaim as the series progressed.
In a recent interview, Jung explained: “The character Shin Joo-shin is inherently difficult to accept at face value. People said he seemed robotic or AI-like, but I believed viewers would appreciate him once they saw his transformation unfold.”
He acknowledged the initial performance concerns, saying, “I had to deliver lines with a very low voice, which unintentionally created tension in my delivery. The early episodes showed a more rigid portrayal because of this.”
About the Drama
‘Doctor Shin’ tells the story of a genius surgeon who ventures into forbidden medical territory and a woman whose brain deteriorates overnight, causing her to lose her essence. Jung portrayed Shin Joo-shin, director of Nua Hospital’s neurosurgery department, chairman of the Nua Foundation orphanage, and a brain surgery authority surpassing his late father, Dr. Shin Woo-pil.
Character Analysis
Shin Joo-shin is characterized by his cold, analytical demeanor. Jung recalled, “When I first read the script, the genre and subject matter were intense—brain transplant surgery performed by my character. Words like ‘clinical’ and ‘detached’ appeared frequently in the script.”
He continued: “I pondered deeply how to portray someone so cold and nearly emotionless. I kept asking ‘why’ to understand him. This became my entry point into living as Shin Joo-shin—a person whose life revolves solely around work, making him direct, honest, and sometimes appearing rude. Having witnessed a youth’s body walking with an elderly person’s transplanted brain, extraordinary events seem mundane to him.”
Character Evolution
The character undergoes transformation when he falls in love with Geum Ba-ra (played by Joo Se-bin). Jung explained, “Early on, Shin Joo-shin was so rigid that viewers questioned if he was AI. However, he wasn’t entirely devoid of emotion, so I worked closely with the director and writer to capture this. He has his own unique way of expressing anger, showing shyness around someone he likes, or subtly revealing his feelings—I strived to find these nuanced emotions.”
Personal Connection
When asked about similarities to his character, Jung laughed: “We actually analyzed our characters’ personality types, and Shin Joo-shin came out as INTJ—which is also my actual type!” He added that while they share similarities in degree, “Shin Joo-shin never smiled showing his teeth throughout sixteen episodes, whereas I laugh freely and often.”
Reflections on the Project
After successfully completing ‘Doctor Shin,’ Jung expressed gratitude: “Writer Lim Sung-han’s works have always generated significant buzz. I’m incredibly thankful for being entrusted with Shin Joo-shin and for the faith shown in me.”
Throughout the conversation, his deep attachment to the character was evident. “Even when Joo-shin’s story ended, I messaged the writer saying ‘Joo-shin departed well.’ My affection grew with each filming session. I even talked about brains in my sleep!”
He concluded: “I don’t know how viewers ultimately perceive Shin Joo-shin, but for me, ‘Doctor Shin’ and this character represent an invaluable and precious experience.”