OMEGA X member Hangyeom recently made his acting debut in 'Jazz For Two,' the Korean drama adaption of the popular BL (Boys' Love) webtoon of the same name. Directed by Song Su-lim, the eight-episode drama explores the struggles and pressures of four high school students. Do-yoon, Tae-yi, Se-heon, Ju-ha grew up through love and music and eventually discovered facets about themselves throughout the journey.

Hangyeom — who played the role of Suh Do-yoon — revealed himself to be joining the cast because of his interest in the story and his character. Do-yoon, who has been hiding a long-held secret crush, is a Wooyeon Arts School student and a playful drum player with an optimistic personality. "You’ll be able to witness a new side of me," said Hangyeom in a press release statement.

"Being able to show the emotions and determination of characters taking on these challenges was an incredibly fulfilling experience for me," he said in an exclusive interview with allkpop.

We caught up with Hangyeom to talk about his acting debut experience, realizations and takeaways, and how similar he thinks he is to Do-yoon. Read the full interview below!

allkpop: First of all, we want to congratulate you on your acting debut! What was it like to make your debut in 'Jazz for Two,' and what’s something in the drama that made you decide to go for it as your first one?

Hangyeom: Hi, Sofia! Thank you for congratulating me on my acting debut! I’m thrilled to have taken on my first acting challenge with the project ‘Jazz for Two.’ It was a wonderful experience working with the director and my fellow actors. I decided to join the cast because I was drawn to the story of ‘Jazz for Two’ and the character of Do-yoon just as I developed an interest in acting.

allkpop: Since the drama just wrapped up, have you read any comments about your acting? What’s one or two that stuck with you? Are you satisfied with how everything turned out?

Hangyeom: I particularly remember the comments about the conflicts with Joo-ha. The most memorable ones were when the fans noted how Do-yoon approached Joo-ha warmly despite his cold demeanor. Also, I remember the fans resonated with Do-yoon’s facial expression when he got hurt by Joo-ha’s words so they would leave comments like, “Don’t be like that, Joo-ha!” (laughs) It was great to see how deeply the fans got immersed in the story and characters, so I had a very satisfying experience from before to after the overall filming!

allkpop: In what ways do you think you are similar or resonate with your character, Suh Do-yoon?

Hangyeom: I really liked Do-yoon’s attitude of "I will just follow my heart and emotions" despite Joo-ha’s cold attitude toward him. I could relate to that trait in my own life, which helped me connect with the
character.

allkpop: The story follows the struggles and pressure of the high school students attending an art school. Do you feel the same way, but the arts school being the industry you’re working in? What has this drama taught you about overcoming difficulties and handling the pressure?

Hangyeom: There are quite a few similarities. In ‘Jazz for Two,’ the four main characters might bicker at times, but they come together to prepare for a performance, understanding and supporting each other along the way. This mirrors my experiences with my group, OMEGA X, as I am not the only one on this journey; I create and complete performances or music with people around me. The conflicts and challenges we face while working toward a shared dream only strengthen our determination, much like in the drama. I found myself as a member of OMEGA X to be motivated and rely on Do-yoon’s character. Of course, Hangyeom in real life is always full of energy and determination, even without Do-yoon’s influence! (laughs)

allkpop: The story is also about growing up through music. As you’re now both a singer and actor, what was something in your musical career that you were able to apply as you made your acting debut in Jazz for Two? Is there something that you were also able to share with your co-actors about the music industry?

Hangyeom: I believe that performing music on stage also requires an element of acting. Transforming the auditory experience into a visual one involves a lot of thought behind the ways of expression, as they could affect how each performance turns out. Before going on the stage, I would imagine and immerse myself in thinking about how to move my body or what facial expressions to use, and I believe such a habit has certainly helped with my acting. I’m not sure how much my background as a singer helped my fellow actors, but I do remember how delighted they were when I shared the OST after recording it, which made me even more enthusiastic about filming. (laughs)

allkpop: Is there anything you’ve also learned from your co-actors about acting such as the delivery and techniques? Have you heard pieces of advice from them and the director?

Hangyeom: When preparing for emotional scenes with actor Kim Jung-ha, I found his ability to convey emotions incredibly helpful for me in saying my lines and acting out my feelings. Unlike coordinating dance moves on stage, this emotional exchange was a new and intriguing experience for me. Director Song Su-lim’s guidance on lively and comedic scenes, often accompanied by demonstrations, showed me that I didn’t have to stick rigidly to the script. This gave me more confidence to improvise and adapt to each scene.

allkpop: Since the setting is in an arts school, I was wondering if you ever expressed any interest in trying activities that involve art like painting, drawing, or sculpturing.

Hangyeom: If you check out my SoundCloud channel, where I occasionally upload my music, you’ll find some album covers I’ve drawn myself. (laughs) While I don’t do it all the time, creating covers that match the music has sparked an interest in drawing for me.

allkpop: Could you walk us through how you prepared for the role? What was it like getting your hands on these for the first time — from the script reading to the actual filming of the drama?

Hangyeom: I see Do-yoon as a character who brings a sense of relief to the intense storyline. I fully embraced this aspect, letting myself go completely in scenes where he needed to lighten the mood. (laughs) Though I was a bit nervous before the first shoot, the positive atmosphere and fun interactions with the cast and crew made it a memorable experience. I had such a great time filming, so I’m eager to explore more opportunities in various fields if they come my way!

allkpop: If you could invite everyone to watch the drama, how would you do it? And if you could give some reasons why Jazz for Two is worth watching, what would they be?

Hangyeom: Imagine me saying the following lines as if I’m doing a narration in a commercial. (laughs)
‘Jazz for Two’ is a drama that lets you experience the emotions and comfort of the diverse situations faced by four students at Wooyeon arts high school. Don’t miss out on the brilliant chemistry of Tae-se-do-ju (the four main characters)! I hope ‘Jazz for Two’ can provide a piece of courage and support for you as you navigate your own challenges.

allkpop: You said in an interview that you were able to contemplate and put yourself in someone else’s life through acting. For you, what do you think is the most rewarding part of becoming an actor?

Hangyeom: ‘Jazz for Two’ features episodes and stories of the characters facing continuous challenges, whether they’re confessing hidden feelings or preparing for a group performance. While not everyone might go through these exact experiences, we all face our own challenges in life, so being able to show the emotions and determination of characters taking on these challenges was an incredibly fulfilling experience for me. If the viewers draw inspiration and courage from the characters’ journeys, I’ll feel even prouder for taking on my first acting challenge.

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