He's a rapper, vocalist and dancer with the band BtoB but Yook Sung Jae is also an aspiring actor. He makes his presence known in the new school drama "Who Are You - School 2015" as the Kim So Hyun's quirky classmate.
His character has an endearing lopsided smile that reminds some of a younger Seo In Guk.
The 20-year-old Sungjae has flashed that smile in a few dramas so far. Although he is attracting attention in "Who Are You - School 2015?" his breakout drama was probably "Nine Plus Boys." In that drama he played the passionate 19-year-old Kang Min Gu, one of three brothers whose age ended in nine. His character found the girl of his dreams. He was sure of it. But since he was supposedly having an unlucky year, due the superstition that ages ending in nine are unlucky, things did not go as planned. The girl did not like him. And then when she did, she was not who he imagined her to be.
Yook was attracted to the role of Kang Min Gu because he saw some similarities between himself and the character.
"When I read the script, I would often imagine myself as that character," said Yook Sung Jae in an interview with Nylon magazine. "Of course I wanted to do well. I'm like myself when there are some 'crazy' scenes. I'm a little impatient and couldn't stay still-which is similar to my character too."
In fact, Yook Sung Jae says that one of his nicknames is "handsome lunatic."
He wants to be an actor that acts in a "natural way."
"We first have to lose ourselves before we can really live a character," he said. "If you work hard for it, it'll turn out to be awkward and boring.
Yook had a cameo in the hit drama "The Heirs" and a small role in "Monstar." He has a few scenes as Go Ara's brother in "Reply 1994." He is no slouch when it comes to variety shows either, having appeared on MTV Diary, Real Men and Beatles Code, just to name a few.
Playing Kim So Hyun's friend in "Who Are You - School 2015" does lead to his character to getting beaten up and disheveled.
In real life, the BtoB maknae is very concerned with being immaculately groomed.
Have you seen any of Yook Sung Jae's dramas? What did you think?
