[Dispatch = Jung Tae-yun] "It was a dream I had tucked away in my heart." (Dahyun)

11 years into her career. While TWICE members Nayeon, Jihyo, and Tzuyu embarked on their solo music journeys, Dahyun became the first member to step into acting. She actively pursued the opportunity and landed her first role.

And not just any role—a leading role in the Korean remake of the hit Taiwanese film You Are the Apple of My Eye. The pressure was immense, and worries followed. But nothing could extinguish her passion for acting.

"I had been practicing acting whenever I could while promoting with TWICE. When I was given the opportunity, I immediately said yes out of gratitude. Of course, I felt pressure, but I wanted to enjoy the process."

Recently, Dispatch met with not TWICE's Dahyun, but rookie actress Dahyun. In her eyes, there was a quiet yet determined spark—one that had been there for a long time.

🎬 First Challenge—A Hidden Dream

This is her first solo challenge, and an unexpected one at that. Dahyun never openly spoke about her desire to act. But in truth, this dream had been with her for even longer than her dream of becoming a singer.

"I became a trainee and pursued my dream of being a singer. But before that, my biggest ambition was acting. When I was a kid, I'd sit in a movie theater and imagine myself on screen."

She often found comfort and healing through movies and dramas.

"There were many times when films and dramas gave me strength. That feeling of energy being transferred through the screen—it was something I wanted to do. I wanted to be an actress who could give that kind of warmth and comfort to others."

The moment TWICE members began individual promotions, Dahyun knocked on her agency's door.

"I wanted to act, but I didn't know how to start. My company helped me search for the right project."

That project turned out to be You Are the Apple of My Eye, directed by Jo Young-myung. As a TWICE member, Dahyun had already reached the top. But as an actress, she was starting from zero.

So why did the production team cast her in a leading role?

"We were looking for a fresh face—someone the audience hadn't seen in this type of role before. Then we heard that Dahyun was interested in acting and had even worked on independent films. That's when we knew we had to meet her." (Production team)

🎭 First Role—Breathing Life into Seon-ah

You Are the Apple of My Eye is a remake of the beloved Taiwanese film, centering on Jin-woo (played by Jinyoung), who spends years mustering the courage to confess his love to Seon-ah (Dahyun).

Dahyun had been a longtime fan of the original film.

"I kept thinking, 'How can I bring out my own version of Seon-ah?' I knew how rare this opportunity was, so I approached it with gratitude."

However, passion came with pressure. Her first-ever acting role was a leading role.

"The excitement of my first acting role was huge, but my worries were even bigger. I had many conversations with the director before filming started."

To truly embody Seon-ah, Dahyun created an entire backstory for her character—even details that never made it into the film.

"Seon-ah is the eldest daughter. She has a much younger brother, her mom runs a vegetable shop, and her dad is a police officer. When she was young, she witnessed her father being fatally injured by a criminal. That trauma shaped her life."

🎥 First Acting Experience—Becoming Seon-ah

To fully immerse herself in the role, Dahyun imagined Seon-ah's struggles as if they were her own.

One key moment in the film shows Seon-ah breaking down in tears after making a critical mistake on her college entrance exam.

"I thought about her situation—she's a girl who has devoted her life to studying, and then, because of one small mistake, her dreams fall apart. She's so devastated that she can't even bring herself to tell her family and instead runs to Jin-woo. That was heartbreaking."

She even tried to relate Seon-ah's pain to her own experiences.

"I imagined what it would feel like if I made a mistake on stage—if a single error ruined an entire performance. What if I got injured and couldn't even go on stage? That thought alone made me feel like my world was collapsing. For Seon-ah, that was her academics. When I put myself in her shoes, the tears just came naturally."

Her co-star Jinyoung also played a big role in helping her navigate her first acting experience.

"There was a scene where I had to film a phone call alone, and it was scheduled for 2 AM. Jinyoung's scenes were already finished, but he stayed behind just to read lines with me. That meant so much to me."

She smiled, recalling the moment.

"I told myself—one day, when I'm someone's senior, I want to be like that too. My first acting experience was filled with amazing people. It felt like spending time with old friends—warm, fun, and unforgettable."

💭 First Dream—A New Beginning

Though Dahyun has spent 11 years as a singer, she is just taking her first steps as an actress. But her passion and determination are unmistakable.

She knows she started from a different place than most actors, which is why she treasures every opportunity.

"Even though I didn't show it, I was incredibly nervous. My director sensed it and just hugged me without saying a word. That's when my tears started flowing. I knew how precious this opportunity was, and I wanted to give it my all."

Beyond this film, Dahyun is already expanding her acting career. Her independent film Full Speed Ahead is awaiting release, and she has been cast in her first drama, Love Me, playing the role of Ji Hye-on, a woman navigating the fine line between friendship and love.

"I'm currently working hard on my drama. The pressure is still there, but I want to enjoy every moment."

When asked about her goals as an actress, she smiled.

"I don't know what kind of projects I'll take on in the future, but one thing's for sure—I will always give my best. There are so many roles I want to challenge myself with. My biggest dream is to become an actress who spreads positive energy to others!"

[Photo Credit: Movie Take]