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In a recent interview with South Korean media outlet Newsis, When the Phone Rings lead actor Yoo Yeon-seok opened up about his thoughts on marriage and his ideal type. Published on January 7, 2025, the interview revealed that the actor’s role in the drama prompted him to reflect on the importance of communication in relationships.
Yoo shared that while he is not opposed to marriage, he has yet to find the right person. He emphasized that effective communication is essential in any relationship for him and his ideal person to be someone he can talk easily to.
"I don't think I've found the right person yet. We need to communicate well. After all, I'm the one who will be talking about these things, so I need to be the best communicator. I thought about that a lot while doing this drama. I need to have the person I can open up to the most." said the actor.
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Yoo Yeon-seok reflects on career milestones, acting evolution, and the success of When the Phone Rings
Yoo Yeon-seok, known for his role in When the Phone Rings, experienced a surge in popularity after portraying Baek Sa-eon in the drama. His Instagram followers doubled from 2.4 million to 4.2 million. Yoo’s performance in the drama has also earned him recognition, including a grand prize at the MBC Drama Awards.
In the interview with Newsis on January 7, the actor expressed his gratitude, reflecting on what would have happened had he turned down the role. He also discussed the changing landscape of television, especially the shift from terrestrial broadcasting to OTT platforms like Netflix.
Yoo Yeon-seok believes that combining domestic broadcasting with international platforms could benefit both. While OTT originals have gained popularity, he emphasized that working on good projects with talented people, regardless of platform, is what matters most. He sees this as a potential way for domestic broadcasters to thrive.
Yoo in the interview admitted feeling uncertain about some of the script's more childish lines. However, as he filmed, his emotional connection with Chae Soo-bin, who played Hee-joo, helped him authentically deliver the scenes. He described how he brought a mix of comedy, gentleness, and desperation to Sa-eon, making him relatable to viewers.
"When I first encountered the childish lines in the script, I had many concerns, thinking, 'Will I be able to do it naturally?' When we actually filmed that scene, my relationship with Hee-joo had developed and my emotions had matured, so it wasn't too difficult," Yoo explained amd added, "Sa-eon is very cold, but he showed various sides of himself, such as comedy and gentleness. I did the comedy scenes boldly and the romance scenes desperately."
Talking about the drama's success Yoo attributed it to Sa-eon's innocent love story. The lack of communication between the couple and Sa-eon's cold demeanor contrasted with the eventual confession of love, according to the actor resonated deeply with audiences.
Yoo believed fans were drawn to Sa-eon because the character encapsulated the best aspects of his past roles.
"It's a comprehensive gift set of all the characters I've played so far. I think the fans really liked it because it's a character that brings together the best points of Yoo Yeon-seok's filmography." He noted.
Yoo shared that he didn’t model his acting on a single person but drew inspiration from various sources. He cited MBC announcer Jeon Jong-hwan, who guided him in the nuances of becoming a spokesperson. Yoo learned to control his emotions and deliver information effectively, shaping his portrayal of Sa-eon.
Yoo’s chemistry with Chae Soo-bin stood out despite their ten-year age gap. The actor stated that their off-screen rapport helped develop their on-screen romance.
"Rather than feeling pressured, (Chae Soo-bin) very shy, so I tried to slowly get closer to her," he said and added. "At first, she was a little cold, but the setting was that she got closer, so we naturally became close as we filmed the drama. Our chemistry got better as we filmed the romantic scenes."
Yoo Yeon-seok recently shared insights into the challenging yet pivotal scene in When the Phone Rings. The scene, which marks the first night together for a married couple in their third year of silence, required significant effort to film.
Yoo Yeon-seok described this moment as critical for the characters and the final scene of the drama. He aimed to make it beautiful and memorable, reflecting the couple's emotional journey of the couple.
To achieve this, Yoo spent time researching videos and collaborating closely with co-star Chae Soo-bin (Hee-joo), the cinematographer, and the director to bring the scene to life, ensuring it captured the depth of the characters’ emotions.
As for his success in romance genres, Yoo Yeon-seok acknowledged his fondness for them but said he didn’t know why they were so well-received. He pointed out that while recent roles have focused on more realistic portrayals of romance, When the Phone Rings revisit the classic K-drama love story. Overseas fans, in particular, appreciated this return to traditional themes.
"I think they liked it because it deals with the pure love story of K-drama, which has been neglected in the midst of various genres and high-quality stories." Yoo Yeon-seok explained.
Yoo Yeon-seok is also involved in musicals, movies, and variety shows. Reflecting on his journey, Yoo said he worked hard throughout his 30s. He embraced being a “Janus-shaped actor,” showing both sides of himself in different roles. This approach, he believes, helped him gain confidence in his craft.
Reflecting on his experiences, he discussed the advice he received from senior actor Han Suk-kyu. He shared about learning from the senior actors, that while the 40s can bring challenges, perseverance can lead to success and growth. Yoo's journey in life and career continues to evolve, with his insights on love, relationships, and work offering a deeper look into his character.
Yoo Yeon-seok has announced Asia stops for his upcoming fan concert tour, The Secret Code: Y, set to begin in Seoul on January 18, 2025. Following the Seoul show, he will perform in Bangkok on March 1, Hong Kong on March 8, Tokyo on March 15, and Taipei on March 22.
On the acting front, Yoo is in talks to join SBS’s upcoming supernatural legal drama God and Law Firm, which is set to air in the second half of 2025. He is expected to star alongside Esom in the series, directed by Shin Jung-hoon, known for his work on One Dollar Lawyer (2022) and Seoul Busters (2024).
The drama will follow a lawyer with the unique ability to see ghosts. Filming is set to begin in early 2025 after finalizing the casting and pre-production.
