At a press conference for Channel A’s new weekend drama The Witch, held on February 11 in Seoul, lead actors Jinyoung (GOT7) and Roh Jeong Eui, along with director Kim Tae Kyun, shared details about their highly anticipated project.
Based on Kang Full’s popular webtoon, The Witch is a mystery romance that follows Mi Jeong (Roh Jeong Eui), a woman ostracized as a “witch” after men who fall in love with her mysteriously die, and Dong Jin (Jinyoung), who tries to uncover the truth behind the curse.
Jinyoung, marking his drama comeback post-military service, expressed excitement and nervousness about the project, which was filmed before his enlistment.
“Since the drama was filmed before my enlistment, there was some pressure as an actor, but after I completed my service, the excitement outweighed the burden. It’s a project we wrapped up two years ago, and as my first post-military project, I do feel nervous, but above all, I’m just happy.”
He praised Kang Full’s storytelling and discussed his efforts to portray Dong Jin’s duality—brilliant yet ordinary—through close collaboration with the director.
“As a fan of Kang Full’s webtoons, I know firsthand how powerful his storytelling is. It was an honor just to be part of his universe.”
“When I first cast as Dong Jin, I worked closely with the director to match the character’s essence. Dong Jin has a duality—he’s both brilliant and ordinary. I wanted that contrast to shine through in my voice and expressions, so I had many discussions with the director to shape the character.”
Roh Jeong Eui, who plays the enigmatic Mi Jeong, shared her deep connection to the character, emphasizing Mi Jeong’s loneliness and guilt, which she conveyed through subtle expressions and gaze.
“I’ve been a fan of Kang Full’s work for a long time, so I was more excited than pressured. Mi Jeong is a character who has cut herself off from the world due to the guilt she carries. While preparing for the role, I focused on emphasizing her loneliness through her eyes. She’s different than the real me, so I learned a lot and received positive influences from her.”
Both actors highlighted the challenges of adapting a webtoon, with Jinyoung focusing on visual authenticity and Roh Jeong Eui channeling the atmosphere she envisioned while reading the original work.
Jinyoung: “Since it’s based on a webtoon, we had to consider the visual similarities. I worked closely with the makeup and costume teams to create a version of Dong Jin that felt true to both the original and the real world. We had a lot of discussions to get everything—from outfits to small props—just right.”
Roh Jeong Eui: “When reading a webtoon, you naturally imagine the characters’ expressions and mannerisms. I tried to channel the atmosphere, gaze, and tone I had envisioned while reading.”
Their on-screen chemistry was described as natural, with emotions often conveyed through silent moments rather than dialogue.
Jinyoung: “It’s a mix of romance and mystery. While emotions play a key role, there’s also an investigative aspect to the story as the characters unravel secrets. That’s what drew me to the project. Of course, working with Roh Jeong Eui was also a great experience.”
Roh Jeong Eui: “Our connection was so natural that we could communicate just through eye contact. Since we didn’t have many direct dialogue scenes, a lot had to be conveyed through silent emotions. I think that made it even more special.”
Director Kim Tae Kyun teased special appearances by Ju Ji Hoon and Jin Sun Kyu, promising surprises in each episode.
“Ju Ji Hoon will make a special appearance in the first episode. His entrance will be so surprising. We worked together in ‘Dark Figure of Crime,’ and I’ve heard he was even more immersed in this role than he was in ‘Dark Figure of Crime.’ He even came to set with a coffee truck!”
“Jin Sun Kyu will also make a special appearance and play a very important role in the drama. Many well-known actors will make surprise appearances in each episode, so I think it will add another layer of excitement for viewers.”
The Witch premieres on February 15, blending romance, mystery, and investigative elements to captivate viewers.
