[Interview②] 'Chef Moon' Joo Jong-hyuk "Fan of Shinhwa's Eric, Drank Together to Get Closer"

Joo Jong-hyuk / Photo by Kim Tae-yoon

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Joo Jong-hyuk said he is a fan of the group Shinhwa.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Joo Jong-hyuk shared various stories about the Channel A drama Yubeolna! Moon Chef in an interview held at the Chungmuro office building in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Yubeolna! Moon Chef (written by Jung Yuri and Kim Kyungsoo, directed by Choi Dohun) is a healing romantic comedy drama about Yubella, a world-renowned fashion designer who loses her memory and becomes a reckless troublemaker in the starry and bright Seohama Village. She meets star chef Moon Seungmo (Eric) and together they create growth, love, and success.

Joo Jong-hyuk plays the role of Choi Gunwoo, the planning director of a famous overseas food company. Choi Gunwoo is a perfect business partner boasting not only a warm appearance but also neat work skills. He is in charge of everything from procuring fresh ingredients for Moon Seungmo to promoting a Korean pop-up restaurant, depicting the intense process of opening a restaurant. He acted as a long-time partner with Eric in the drama, showing great chemistry.

On this day, Joo Jong-hyuk said, “I was a fan of Eric hyung to the extent that I binge-watched the drama Another Miss Oh from start to finish. When I was active as a member of the group Paran, I greeted him briefly in the waiting room, but it was very nice to meet him through a work project.” He added, “I can’t drink alcohol at all, but I wanted to get close to Eric hyung, so I even drank during the shoot in Australia.”

He continued, “I also respect Kim Dong-wan as a person. I really like him. Maybe that’s why all the Shinhwa hyungs are really great,” and laughed, saying, “Since I worked with Kim Dong-wan and Eric hyung, it seems that Shinhwa fans are also paying some attention to me. I’m really looking forward to meeting another Shinhwa hyung in my next project.”