[Dispatch=Jung Tae-yoon]"I feel like I could do even better if I had another chance."

Even after giving 120% effort, there's always room for improvement. It's something many actors say, but coming from Choo Young-woo, it didn't feel like a mere formality—it was genuine.

His latest role was undoubtedly a challenging one, requiring him to play two distinct characters in The Tale of Lady Ok. He portrayed both Cheon Seung-hwi, a charismatic storyteller, and Sung Yun-gyeom, the eldest son of an aristocratic family.

The two were polar opposites in every way except for their appearance, making the transition between them a daunting task. Yet, Choo Young-woo pulled it off brilliantly—his gaze alone was enough to distinguish between the two. As Seung-hwi, his eyes lit up with passion, while as Yun-gyeom, they turned cold and distant.

Still, he believes he could have done better.

"After seeing (Im) Ji-yeon's solo scenes, I felt even more immersed in the story. They were so heartbreaking and raw. If I had another chance, I would love Seung-hwi even more and make Yun-gyeom even more despicable."

We sat down with Choo Young-woo to talk about his career-defining role and his passion for acting.

"A Series of Challenges"

The Tale of Lady Ok is a high-stakes survival drama, following the story of Ok Tae-young (played by Im Ji-yeon), a woman whose name, status, and husband are all a lie. Choo Young-woo played Cheon Seung-hwi, a performer who risked everything to protect her.

For Choo Young-woo, this drama was filled with firsts—his first historical drama, his first time learning horseback riding, archery, pansori (Korean opera), and traditional dance, and his first-ever dual role.

"This was my first historical drama and my first time playing two characters, so I learned a lot. I especially enjoyed the physical aspects like pansori and dance, but the biggest challenge was definitely playing two completely different roles."

His first character, Cheon Seung-hwi, was Joseon's ultimate romantic—a gifted performer who gracefully carried himself on stage. He fearlessly threw himself into Ok Tae-young's dangerous scheme, standing by her side no matter the cost.

Meanwhile, Sung Yun-gyeom, his second character, was the eldest son of a high-ranking official and carried the secret of being a sexual minority in Joseon society. Two completely different individuals—so how did he manage to set them apart?

"My goal was to make sure viewers never got confused. I tried to emphasize their differences as much as possible—starting with their costumes, voice tones, and even subtle facial expressions."

Mastering Dual Roles

Switching between two vastly different characters wasn't easy. The more he acted, the more mentally overwhelming it became. When he felt stuck, Im Ji-yeon gave him some key advice.

"Ji-yeon sunbaenim told me not to think of them as two entirely separate people, like Jekyll and Hyde. Instead, she advised me to focus on small details and natural reactions to differentiate them."

Her guidance helped him find confidence.

"She pointed out that Yun-gyeom, as a sexual minority, would look at Tae-young differently than Seung-hwi would. She told me that if I focused on that aspect, it would be enough. That gave me the push I needed."

And the results showed—Seung-hwi's gaze toward Tae-young was filled with love, while Yun-gyeom's eyes were dry and distant, subtly conveying their differences.

Even his younger brother, Cha Jung-woo, played a crucial role in making the dual performance work. Originally, the production planned to use a body double for the dual-role scenes. However, CG limitations arose because the stand-in actor's body structure didn't match Choo Young-woo's.

"The director asked if I knew any actors who resembled me. I mentioned that my younger brother is also an actor, and they asked me to bring him in. He looked so much like me that for scenes where my face was covered, we didn't even need CG!"

"My 'Gudeogi'—Im Ji-yeon"

The Tale of Lady Ok revolves around Im Ji-yeon's character, and she naturally took on the role of a mentor for the younger cast. She even reached out to Choo Young-woo before filming began, suggesting they run lines together.

"She contacted me before our first script reading and suggested we go through the first two episodes together. I was nervous, but she made me feel comfortable right away."

Her thoughtful guidance helped him navigate the tough moments on set.

"She always offered advice in such a careful and considerate way. Even though I was her junior, she made sure to listen to my thoughts, which I really appreciated. Because of that, I felt comfortable asking her questions and learning from her."

Watching Im Ji-yeon's intense performance made him reflect on his own acting.

"A lot of people said I did well, but I'd only give myself a 50 out of 100. If I had another chance, I think I could do even better."

"I never got to see Ji-yeon sunbaenim's emotional solo scenes while filming, but when I watched them later, they were so heartbreaking. If I could redo my scenes, I would make Seung-hwi love her even more and Yun-gyeom despise her even more."

"The Secret to Being Cast?"

Despite having only four years of experience, Choo Young-woo has already landed multiple lead roles. What's his secret?

"Honestly, I think it's because I don't have an ego. A lot of rookie actors have their own strong opinions on acting, but I rely on my seniors and directors a lot."

"I always assume that I'm not good enough yet. That mindset makes me trust my director's vision 100%. Maybe that's why I've been given so many opportunities."

We asked why he tends to underestimate himself, and he explained:

"I only decided to pursue acting in my second year of high school, which was later than most of my peers. That lack of experience made me doubt myself a lot."

Now, though, his hard work is paying off.

"Nowadays, my friends ask if I get special coaching on set. The truth is, I just work on my script every single day. I practice constantly, and over time, I've improved much more than I expected."

Before we wrapped up, he shared a modest dream.

"I hope that when people watch me act, they'll think: 'Wow, that guy really works hard.' If they can recognize my dedication, that alone would make me happy."