Actor Jang Se-hyuk, who played the judo champion Yoon Ha-ru in the Disney+ and Channel A weekend drama 'Dive into You', says people often compare his looks to singer and actor Kim Jae-joong, a former member of TVXQ. He spoke about the comparison in an interview with TenAsia at the outlet's Seoul office.

What is Dive into You about?

The drama, directed by So Jae-hyun, follows siblings Yoon Ha-na and Yoon Ha-ru. After discovering that an old camcorder can take them back in time, they travel to the past to save Jung Woo-jae, played by Park Seo-ham, in a first-love rescue romance. The show ended its run on November 1.

How did Jang Se-hyuk react to the acting praise?

Around the fourth episode, several media outlets published articles praising his performance. According to Jang, he felt dazed when he saw them. He said his co-stars were quick to celebrate with him and offered advice, which gave him extra energy on set.

How did he prepare for the role?

Jang said he went home early, avoided his phone, and slept early to stay sharp for the next day's shoot. He also controlled his diet throughout filming, dropping from 66kg at the start to 63kg by the last day.

What does he think about the Kim Jae-joong comparison?

Jang said that most people who meet him for the first time make the same comparison, so it no longer surprises him. He described it as both flattering and a responsibility, saying it pushes him to become a better actor so he does not let the senior singer down.

For international fans

Kim Jae-joong is a member of TVXQ, one of South Korea's most influential K-pop groups. Viewers who want to watch 'Dive into You' should check which platforms carry the series in their region, as availability varies by country.