Go Youn-jung on Being More Than a Pretty Face: “If My Looks Overshadow My Acting, I Just Need to Work Harder”

Often hailed as the Gen Z “ultimate visual” and compared to legendary beauties like Kim Tae-hee, Song Hye-kyo, and Jun Ji-hyun, Go Youn-jung has built a powerful image in fashion and luxury branding. But with acclaimed roles in Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow and Disney+’s Moving, she’s now being recognized as a rising star in acting, especially with her latest role in Resident Playbook.

Her Role as Oh Yi-young in Resident Playbook

Excitement peaked when Go was cast in tvN’s medical drama Resident Playbook, a spin-off of the Hospital Playlist universe. Directed by Lee Min-soo and written by Kim Song-hee, with creators Shin Won-ho and Lee Woo-jung, the show follows first-year OBGYN residents at Jongro Yulje Hospital. Though postponed for a year due to real-life medical resident strikes, it finally aired in 2024 and grew from a 3% debut rating to over 8% by its finale.

Go plays Oh Yi-young, a disillusioned, debt-ridden resident with little enthusiasm for her job, or life. Go won the part after two audition rounds and said the script was even tailored to match the actors’ personalities, helping her naturally connect with Yi-young.

“When I got the script, I just felt thrilled. I hoped viewers would see Yi-young as a lovable character,” Go shared. Yi-young’s journey goes from near-resignation to professional growth, and she even finds love with senior resident Goo Do-won, played by Jung Joon-won.

“Yi-young may seem indifferent and overly romantic, but she just needed a reason to care. I’m like her that way, when I fall for something, I go all in.”

Teamwork, Mentorship, and Behind-the-Scenes Bonds

Go emphasized how fun it was to work with a tight-knit cast. She bonded with fellow first-year actors Shin Si-ah, Kang Yoo-seok, and Han Ye-ji, saying: “We’re all introverts, except Yoo-seok oppa, who’s just like his character. After a month, we really became close.”

Go also felt a responsibility to support Han Ye-ji, a newcomer. “I wanted to be as thoughtful to her as my seniors were to me during Law School. But honestly, Ye-ji’s so talented, I didn’t have to do much.”

To make her performance convincing, Go went above and beyond: she watched real surgical videos, practiced on synthetic skin, and visited hospitals.

“I studied hard and got praised for my stitching. As a former art student, I’m good with my hands.” The experience even led her to reflect on women’s health and childbirth, encouraging regular checkups for her mother.

Yi-young’s love story takes a twist, her sister is married to her love interest’s brother. While some found it unusual, Go didn’t dwell on it, instead focusing on the story’s emotional arc. She also had high praise for Jung Joon-won: “We’re eight years apart, but he fit in so well. He brought humor and professionalism.”

From Pictorials to Pressures of Beauty

Fresh off Resident Playbook, Go dived straight into Netflix’s Can This Love Be Translated? She’s also making waves for her visuals, especially in a shoot with Cha Eun-woo.

“He’s obviously stunning. Being told I looked good next to him was the biggest compliment.”

But the attention comes with pressure. “The more attention I get, the more nervous I feel, especially at events. I just don’t want to mess up.” She’s also aware that her looks can be distracting: “If people say my beauty overshadows my acting, that just means I need to work harder.”

Now six years into her acting journey, Go sees herself as a resident in her 11th month, skilled but still growing. She wants to explore more genres and roles, and her biggest goal?

“I can manage my own work now, but there’s still so much to learn. I want to keep exploring different genres and roles. To me, a ‘wise actor’ isn’t just someone who acts well, it’s someone who’s fun to work with and can read the room. I want people to say, ‘She’s fun to shoot with.’ That’s the kind of actor I want to be.”

With her humility, dedication, and talent, Go Youn-jung is not just a visual icon but a powerful actress steadily shaping her legacy.