'Rooftop Prince' JYJ's Park Yoochun No Longer Just Another 'Singer Turned Actor'

JYJ member Park Yoochun played the main character, Lee Gak, in the SBS drama 'Rooftop Prince,’ which ended in late May. The drama featured a story about a prince from the Chosun Dynasty who becomes time warped to the present times. Park Yoochun impressed everybody with his comedic scenes with the handsome 3 servants (Choi Woo Shik, Lee Min Ho, and Jung Suk Won) as well as the hopelessly romantic scenes with Park Ha (Han Ji Min).

Park Yoochun's image has changed from a member of idol group JYJ to 'actor.’ It only means that Park Yoochun was successful in his transformation in becoming an actor. He no longer has the title 'singer turned actor', but is now simply, 'actor.’

Park Yoochun's Interview

1. The drama 'Rooftop Prince' finished with the highest viewing rate (14.8%).
Park Yoochun: 'When I looked at the script for the 19th and 20th episodes, I could feel the character's longing for Park Ha just by reading the lines. I was able to connect with the character and his lines so I think I was able to give an honest performance. Our drama was kind of a fantasy but I think we appealed the concept of love and longing for something really well to the audience. I honestly expected a viewing rate of 20%.'

2. There are a lot of different interpretations of the ending. Is it a happy ending?
Park Yoochun: 'I would have wanted Lee Gak to come back and be with Park Ha. I believed that Park Ha would end up with Yong Tae Yong (Park Yoochun) the whole time so I was even more sad and hurt. I hope that Yong Tae Yong and Park Ha's meeting is a happy ending for Lee Gak as well since he was able to make unforgettable memories with her.'

3. You were able to pull off different genres that were present in the drama like, present/historical, fantasy, drama, mystery, comedy, etc.
Park Yoochun: 'I tried my best to focus on each scene that I had to face each moment since Lee Gak finds himself in various different situations. The hardest part was when I became Yong Tae Yong. It was hard because his vocabulary, tempo, and tone are completely different from that of Lee Gak. I made a lot of mistakes during the filming process in the beginning which was a bummer. It was hard to change the way I spoke in Chosun Dynasty to how people speak in present times.'

4. Were you able to focus on the drama after your father's death and car accident?
Park Yoochun: 'It wasn't the easiest thing to recover on the set of the drama. However, since I felt the responsibility for the role I've taken in the drama, I thought it would be selfish and cowardly to be sad all the time. I was able to recover because of the staff. Also, I was able to perform well in the comedic scenes all because of Han Ji Min and the handsome 3 servants. I'm so grateful.'

5. While acting with Han Ji Min, was there ever a moment when you were attracted to her?
Park Yoochun: 'Honestly?! Han Ji Min is very outgoing and cool so even when she shows any kind of physical contact, it doesn't feel like anything. It became a big story when she touched my cheek but that's just her personality so I was able to film the kiss scene without any discomfort. It was the first time filming an actual deep kiss scene and it was so much easier than the scene in 'Sungkyunkwan Scandal.'

6. Was there any pressure in performing well during 'Rooftop Prince'?
Park Yoochun: 'I never thought "lets act well," it was more like "lets act.’" I only looked forward and acting really became fun. I realized how interesting it is to portray different characters.'

7. Han Ji Min stated, 'I can't imagine Park Yoochun dancing and singing'
Park Yoochun: 'Other people told me that few times on the set. It was really weird for me. My thoughts went blank when I heard that a few times. I wasn't able to do any music because of my acting career and I'm very grateful that I have gained the title actor. I still hope to continue my music career as well.'

Tags
SBS
Rooftop Prince
JYJ
Yoochun
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