Which rookie caught our attention recently? That would be 22-year-old actor Na Jong Chan who made an impression as the royal guard Se Won in the historical drama "Shine Or Go Crazy."
The drama, which starred Jang Hyuk, Oh Yeon Seo and Honey Lee, was his first time on the small screen.
He recently spoke about his role in the MBC drama when he was interviewed by the Korean media outlet XSportsNews
In the interview Na Jong Chan said that he was never originally meant to play Se Won. But something about the calm way he handled the audition impressed the director enough to cast him differently.
"I was given another role but the director asked me to play Se Won instead," said Na. "He said he liked my tone and manner during the audition. I felt relaxed during the audition. If you get nervous you shake and say your lines too quickly."
But even though he sailed through the audition, it wasn't easy playing that big a role.
"I was quite pressured by the role I had, but I managed to pull it off thanks to the crew and cast."
He credits his co-stars Im Joo Hwan, Lee Duk Hwa and Lee Honey with helping him before and during the drama. They discussed many of the details involved in filming before the production even started.
The horse riding and action scenes were the hardest part. Na practiced for a month before filming began. And he still did not feel like he did his best.
But obviously Cube Entertainment believes he can do his personal best. Na Jong Chan is the first rookie actor to be represented by Cube Entertainment, which also represents Rain, Beast, 4Minute, G.N.A., and other singers.
Na Jong Chan already has musical and film credits, having played Ji Hwan in the musical "Flower Boy Vegetable Shop" and Junho's younger brother Dong Won in the film "Twenty."
But "Shine Or Go Crazy" was his first drama. The fact that the drama did well is good but he also wants to be noticed for his own achievements.
"I am not just happy because the drama turned out well," he said. "I feel great when people compliment me and that's what drives me to do better."
If being featured in our new Rookie Watch Series helps, he can take it as a compliment.
Our new series Rookie Watch will feature stars that made an impression with their first roles or their first breakthrough roles. If you have an actor that you would like to recommend for a profile, let us know.
