The MBC webtoon-based drama “When The Phone Rings” ended after airing its final episode on January 4th. After wrapping up the drama, actor Yoo Yeon-seok, who played the male lead Baek Sa-eon, shared his feelings and revealed various behind-the-scenes stories in an interview.
Regarding his impression when receiving the script, Yoo Yeon-seok said, “I felt like I had seen this kind of a character before”, adding “I thought this character was not very special but the company staff showed opposite reactions”. As a person who normally doesn’t enjoy reading web novels or romance novels, he felt embarrassed reading Baek Sa-eon’s cheesy lines in the script.
The actor continued, “I’ve always thought of myself as a person who talks slowly with a gentle personality, but I guess people like me playing chic characters, like Gu Dong-mae in ‘Mr Sunshine’ and Kang Dong-jo in ‘Dr. Romantic’. Many think Baek Sa-eon suits me perfectly. After meeting the writer and listening to the detailed introduction about Baek Sa-eon, I was drawn to the story. I think this character has many layers, like an onion, and you need to get to know him slowly.”
When asked about Baek Sa-eon’s sweet line that went viral among viewers, the actor admitted that he had a hard time acting Baek Sa-eon’s tone and mannerisms in the early stage of the filming. He said, “I wondered whether it was a romance scene or a thriller scene. What I know is that the game would end as soon as the romance begins. I was very confident that once Baek Sa-eon’s backstory is revealed, viewers will support the couple. That’s why I gained the momentum from the middle of the series onward”. Regarding the romance scenes, Yoo Yeon-seok said, “As I got immersed in the emotions of the character, I didn’t have time to think about anything else and just acted. I guess the sweet words of the husband were the reason why the couple became so popular”.
Regarding acting with a character like Hee-joo (Chae Soo-bin), who is selectively silent and often uses sign language, Yoo Yeon-seok said, “Acting uses actions and reactions, but since she talked and acted in sign language, I felt like I was doing monologues even when we filmed together. I was worried that the viewers might feel bored.” Regarding his impactful ending scene in episode 10, when Baek Sa-eon holds a press conference as a husband instead of a presidential office spokesperson, the actor shared, “I took reference from press conferences of people finding their missing family members in order to portray Baek Sa-eon’s desperate messages.”
Aside from the drama anecdotes, the actor also spent time sharing other stories about his pet dog, his entertainment program with Yoo Jae-suk, and so on. Lastly, regarding his future plans, Yoo Yeon-seok said, “I want to go on a trip after filming such a special project. I didn’t have time to rest last year, so I want to meet my friends and plan a family trip.” Prior to that, the actor will meet fans via his upcoming fanmeeting tour and perform a musical.
