[Interview] Kang Yuseok: "I Asked for Darker Circles and Greasier Hair for My Makeup"

As Eom Jaeil in "Someday, the Smart Resident Life"
"The Five Who Became Friends... Hoping We Can Go on a 'Youth Over Flowers' Trip Together"

Actor Kang Yuseok gave an interview on the 26th at a cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Just Entertainment

It is often said that "the time has come." This refers to the moment when an actor gains attention by appearing in a series of good projects, rising buoyed by positive momentum. Kang Yuseok (real name Kang Shinchul, 30) has reached such a period in his career. Following his appearance in the Netflix series "Poksak Sogasuda," he made a strong impression on both domestic and international viewers with tvN's "Someday, the Smart Resident Life."

Meeting Kang Yuseok at a cafe in Gangnam, Seoul, he said, "A good button has been fastened," but admitted he doesn't quite feel his popularity yet. "Even yesterday, I took the subway to meet a friend. I wasn't wearing a hat or a mask, but nobody recognized me. It was almost disappointing. It made me think I should work even harder." When asked if people might have pretended not to recognize him, he laughed and said, "When I go to a restaurant with Lee Jongsuk, everyone recognizes him and asks for photos."

Kang Yuseok debuted in 2018 with OCN's "Quiz of God: Reboot" and has steadily grown through various projects such as "Dr. Romantic 2," "Start-Up" (2020), "Beyond Evil" (2021), "Black Knight" (2023), and "Poksak Sogasuda." In person, he was bright and humorous, and this energy closely resembled his character Eom Jaeil, a first-year OB-GYN resident in "Someday, the Smart Resident Life."

The casting process was a series of coincidences and challenges. Initially, he auditioned for the role of Koo Dowon, and, feeling regretful, asked for another opportunity. At the second audition, director Shin Wonho handed him the script for Eom Jaeil, and after a third attempt, he finally heard, "Let's do this together." "I was a fan of the 'Reply' series. I admired the director and was curious about what kind of person he was. On the day of the audition, my hands were shaking as I held the script."

Director Shin said he cast Kang Yuseok because "he has the aura of a kind and good person." Regarding this, Kang Yuseok said, "Jaeil and I have a lot in common. However, Jaeil is much more resilient than I am. If my brightness is at level 5, Jaeil’s is at level 10. I tried hard to bring that brightness to life."

To immerse himself in the role, he even visited a real hospital. "I spent an entire day shadowing a first-year resident, learning about the hospital system and daily routines. Watching them work a full 36-hour shift, I wondered, 'Is this even possible?' But they stayed sharp and kept meticulous records. Seeing that helped me get into character." He also asked the makeup team to "make the dark circles under my eyes more pronounced and make my hair look greasy" to add realism.

Still of Eom Jaeil in the drama 'Someday, the Smart Resident Life'. tvN

To portray a doctor who is a former idol, he learned to dance for three months and even performed on Mnet's "M Countdown" stage. "I never imagined I would stand on stage. The moving LED lights on the floor were so dazzling that I felt dazed. Although my dancing was lacking, I promised myself to at least show how hard I was trying."

On days when there was no drama filming, he often visited the production company Egg Is Coming's office. Director Shin eventually registered his face for entry. "Whenever I had something to do in Gangnam, I would stop by, have coffee, share my concerns, and became close with people like producer Na Youngseok."

The five residents in "Someday, the Smart Resident Life" continue their friendship and often meet up even after filming ended. Actress Go Younjung gifted the members plane tickets for a trip together when she went to film in Canada. Kang Yuseok said, "We became more than colleagues; we became friends. I hope this atmosphere continues even in variety shows. Just like the cast of the 'Reply' series appeared on 'Youth Over Flowers,' I hope we get kidnapped to a travel destination too."

In July, he will return as a lawyer in tvN's new drama "Seocho-dong." "Once again, I play a character with a bright energy, but this time the story includes the complexities and maturity of social life, so I think I’ll be able to show a different side of my acting."

Describing himself as "still an actor who feels like a first-year," Kang Yuseok said, "Even now, I am still learning, just like a resident. Every moment of nervousness?whether it’s at the hospital, on set, or on a music show stage?has become an asset to me. I want to keep learning from my mistakes and growing, and eventually find my own unique color."