'LIGHT ON ME' INTERVIEWS: Choe Chan Yi
If you love all things Korean and are into seriously good TV you’re gonna want to stick around because we are about to serve you pure reading pleasure. “Light on me” follows the lives of 5 high school students as they navigate friendship, relationships, and heartbreaks. This drama takes you through their growing pains, trials, tribulations, and triumphs. We posed some questions to the cast members and here is what Choe Chan Yi had to say.
Choe Chan Yi’s Instagram
To the viewer who hasn’t watched “Light on me” yet, please briefly introduce yourself.
Hello, everyone! I am Choe Chan, I played the role of Shin Da-On, the president of the student council in the drama “Light on me”. To briefly explain Shin Da On, he is a kind and warm friend to everyone. He's a good friend who always treats his friends with a smile and listens to their requests.
Choe Chan Yi’s Instagram
What went into preparing for your role on the show?
I searched for a drama or movie of a similar genre. For example, I watched Season 3 of ‘Skam France’ about two or three times. I tried to learn a lot about the emotions and gazes of Eliot and Luca in this work. They seemed to have paid close attention to things like the feeling and emotion of the lines they said. I watched the movie "Call Me By Your Name" and since "Light On Me" is a domestic drama, I think I watched almost all the domestic BL genres that were online in Korea. To be specific, in order to play Shin Da On, I think I referred a lot to the role of Yoojung in the Korean drama "Cheese in the Trap" played by Park Hae-Jin. I thought Yoojung's sociopathic tendency was not suitable for Shin Da On, but I think I received a lot of help from the character because other parts were similar to Shin Da On's character. I referred to Yoojung's way of speaking and gestures. Shin Da On is also a character whose emotional state changes a lot in the drama. Since the character pretends not to be like that on the outside, but not on the inside, it was the hardest and most nerve-wracking part to show Shin Da On's emotions on screen. For example, I think it would be easy to understand if I describe it as "darkness in light". I practiced smiling a lot while looking at myself in the mirror for Shin Da On's warmth. My voice, too! My voice is not that low-key. I thought Shin Da-On should have the warmth and adultness of a senior, so I practiced a lot by lowering my voice a little.
Choe Chan Yi’s Instagram
Choe Chan Yi, Your character Shin Da On goes through the most character development throughout the series. Why do you think it had to take losing Woo Tae Kyung for him to start living in his truth and living for himself?
I don't think it took him losing Woo Tae Kyung for him to start living his life. Shin Da On definitely loved and liked Taekyung. However, I think Shin Da On's weaknesses and problems with his personality played a bigger role than him liking and/or loving Taekyung. At the end, Shin Da On leaves behind his problems and approaches Taekyung, but Taekyung is already disappointed with Shin Da On, and his heart was now leaning more towards Noh Shin Woo. During this process, I think Shin Da On grew a lot internally. He learnt how to give all his heart to the person he loves, how to express his heart sincerely and how to apologize in a way that lets the other person know...Shin Da On loves and likes Taekyung, but he pushed him away like that. I just watched it silently. But after that happens, Shin Da On decides to live his life as he really is. When Shin Da On was missing Taekyung, he realized a lot of things, and didn't he not start thinking that he should live his life as Taekyung advised?
Supplied by KokTv & Whynot
Do you have any favourite scenes from the drama series?
The confrontation scene between Shin Da-On and Noh Shin-Woo. This scene is pretty much the latter part of episode 13! It is a scene where Shin Da-On reveals his feelings for Woo Tae-Kyung to Noh Shin-Woo, and Noh Shin-Woo also expresses his ambition, by saying that he will not lose to Shin Da-On. I think this scene was the best. As Shin Da-On, I was the most honest, and the confrontation between the two of them to win over Woo Tae-Kyung was tense. Above all, it was very nice to see them trying to win Woo Tae-Kyung’s love while protecting their friendship, and not approaching Woo Tae-Kyung while fighting!
We live in a world that is still not very accepting, to a young fan who might be going through bullying because of who they like, what do you want them to take away from the show and the character you played on the show?
In a way, I think this drama is a story about a part that is a little hidden from society. That's uncomfortable first but It's so natural and it's freeing. You only have one life, and the subject of that life is yourself. I want you to like who you like, to your heart's content. I also think that if everyone changes socially, bullying will go away. While watching this drama, I hope that viewers, like Shin Da On will have the courage to say precious things that they couldn't say before because of their personality or weaknesses. Of course, only if the other person feels the same way! :) Regardless of what you do, I think I want you to have courage to do it. Just like Non Shin Woo who had courage and now has Tae-Kyung’s heart!
Choe Chan Yi’s Instagram
With the great reception of your character on “Light on me” and the success of the show in general, are we getting a second season?
If we get a lot of sincere support!! I think we'll be able to see season 2 soon, right? We also want to meet you with new events and new sides to our characters in Season 2.
Supplied by KokTv&Whynot
What other characters would you like to play in the future?
In the future, I want to try acting in a horror movie or a thriller movie! It’s work I've never done before, so I think it could be another challenge for me! Since I like horror and thriller movies... ^^
Choe Chan Yi’s Instagram
You are all young and very talented actors in this drama, long term what do you hope to achieve in your career?
I think anyone who is an actor would have the same thoughts as me. It may be a story you've heard a lot, but I want to be an unforgettable actor to viewers. I want to act for a long time and I also hope many people will watch me. In addition, I don't think there would be anything more I would like than to be an actor who can act in various genres and roles.
Choe Chan Yi’s Instagram
What were some of the difficulties of filming during the pandemic?
First of all, a thermal check was done every day of filming. I remember writing down the time I entered the filming site along with my temperature before I started filming. However, the people who had the most difficulty were the filming team, production team, hair and makeup artists, and stylist who wore masks throughout filming. We had to take off our masks often because of filming, but these people had to keep wearing them from the beginning until the end.
KokTv’s Instagram
To someone who is just starting in the entertainment industry, what would you tell them?
It's been... Including being a trainee, I think it has already been 10 years. At first, I didn't start with the goal of acting, but thanks to good people and great opportunities, now I'm able to act in a role in such a big project and I'm just so grateful. I just want a person who is just starting to know that the entertainment industry is a very narrow, difficult, and a difficult path to success. Although it may not be easy to succeed in any job, there are a lot of hiatuses, and I think you have to have a strong mentality to endure the hiatus well. You have to be quick-witted and have manners. I started to build up my talents for 10 years, but it's easier if you have some talent, and if you're not a famous celebrity, your income will not be good... I need to say it more strongly so that you can make up your mind and come into this path with a big heart. Still, I think the reason why I want to endure all these difficulties is because of the love of the public. I still have a long way to go, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for watching me, loving me, and complimenting me! There's really no gift more valuable than this. The fans saw my acting, commented on it, and liked it. I think that's why I endure it. For fans who like my acting, I'm so happy to endure these things! Thank you and I love you.♥
