Lee Soo-chan Shares Growth and Challenges After 'Try' Finale

Actor Lee Soo-chan candidly expressed his feelings and growth experienced while filming the SBS drama 'Try', which recently concluded. In an interview held at OSEN's office in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Lee Soo-chan discussed his portrayal of So Myung-woo, a third-year high school student and rugby player known for his pure heart and desire to look cool.

Lee Soo-chan spoke highly of his chemistry with Kim Yo-han, who played the role of team captain Yoon Sung-joon. 'I felt comfortable with Yo-han from the start, like we've known each other for a long time. We shared similar hobbies and interests, and we were able to brainstorm ideas and discuss the plot together,' he shared.

He further elaborated on how Kim Yo-han, a former student of Seoul Physical Education High School, contributed to creating the team's cheer, 'Hanyang Woo!' 'He gave us ideas from actual school cheers, and among options like 'Hanyang! We Become Miracles', we chose the simplest yet most spirited one,' Lee Soo-chan explained. He also praised veteran actor Yoon Kye-sang, who played the coach, stating, 'I laughed a lot watching his acting on set and learned so much. He has a powerful ability to brighten the atmosphere, yet he's incredibly focused when acting. He gave serious answers when I asked questions and even cheered us on during the rugby scenes, making him feel like a real coach.'

Reflecting on his character So Myung-woo, Lee Soo-chan noted, 'While I'm not as naive as him, I do share his love for looking good. My decision to start acting was because performing on stage seemed so cool. However, I'm introverted, and Myung-woo is extroverted and a mood-maker, so bridging that gap was challenging. I would warm up as Myung-woo through small talk before acting. I learned his fearless approach to challenges, which inspired me to take on more myself.'

Lee Soo-chan revealed that playing an extroverted character like So Myung-woo led to changes in his real-life personality. 'I tried to live more extrovertedly in my daily life too. At first, it felt unfamiliar, but as filming progressed, I became so talkative and energetic that I almost forgot my introverted side. It felt amazing to discover a hidden part of myself,' he admitted.

He also highlighted his growth as an actor through 'Try.' 'I learned a lot from the senior actors and my peers. Expressing a character I hadn't attempted before was very rewarding, and I've lost my fear of trying new things in everyday life. I've adopted a 'let's just try it, even if it doesn't work out' mindset, which led me to start boxing and ice hockey,' he stated. Regarding the possibility of attending year-end award ceremonies, he expressed, 'If the drama receives a lot of love and we can go to an awards ceremony, it would be incredibly happy. Wouldn't it be funny to see us in suits instead of rugby uniforms? Whoever wins an award, that day will be a party.'

Finally, Lee Soo-chan conveyed his ambition: 'I will work hard to transform into various characters so that people say, 'You must watch anything with Lee Soo-chan.' I aim to be a diligent and humble actor.' He concluded by thanking viewers for their love for 'Try' and So Myung-woo.

Lee Soo-chan made his acting debut in the 2018 play 'Hamlet' and has since appeared in various stage productions and web dramas. He gained wider recognition through the SBS drama 'The Royal Gambler' in 2021. With 'Try,' he expanded his acting range by taking on a comedic role, differing from his previous performances.