Jung Eun-chae, "Relieved it's just like the webtoon"... Her casting dilemmas and sincere integrity as an actress

Actress Jung Eun-chae has candidly opened up about the gap between her characters and her true self, as well as the realistic struggles she faces as an actor. In a recently released video, Jung Eun-chae met with long-time acquaintance Jung Jae-hyung, revealing her human side as they discussed her work and personal values.

"It must be identical to the webtoon"... The weight of casting and the actor's role

Jung Eun-chae touched upon the difficulties of the casting process when preparing for a project. She noted that for works based on original material, there is significant pressure for the character's appearance and aura to align perfectly with the original. "Casting for works with an original source can face intense opposition because people inevitably make comparisons," Jung explained, describing the scrutiny that arises during the casting process.

She specifically pointed out that for webtoon adaptations, whether the actor matches the image viewers expect is crucial. "When people see something that looks exactly like the webtoon, they feel, 'Wow, they actually pulled it off,'" Jung said, emphasizing that when an actor puts on a character's clothes, viewers must be able to accept them as the character itself. This highlights the destiny of an actor, who must go beyond mere acting to embody the visual integrity and identity of the character.

A steadfast philosophy behind the success: "Starting with samgyeopsal for my acquaintances"

In contrast to her glamorous screen persona, Jung Eun-chae showed a very upright and humble attitude toward life. Jung Jae-hyung described her as a "principled friend," highly praising her consistent demeanor which he has observed since her debut.

Jung Eun-chae revealed a unique set of values by sharing an anecdote from when she first started earning money. While most people might first buy gifts for their parents or spend on personal luxuries, Jung prioritized the acquaintances who had supported her during her life in Seoul. "Instead of giving money to my parents, I first went to see the acquaintances and older brothers who bought me meals while I was living in Seoul and treated them to samgyeopsal and soju," she said. This was more than just spending money; it was her way of showing respect and valuing the relationships with those who witnessed her growth.

"Even if they are strangers to each other, I wanted to introduce them because they are people who might meet at my funeral or at family events in the future," Jung added, revealing her deep consideration for the people in her life. This inner strength, which stands in stark contrast to her glamorous appearance, serves as the driving force that allows her to remain grounded as an actress over the long term.