[Dispatch=Lee Ajin Reporter] "I thought I had to create a new wave."

For Jeong Eun-chae, SBS-TV's 'Chaebol x Detective 2' was a challenge. It was her first season-based project, and moreover, she was cast starting from Season 2.

She had to make her presence felt while entering an already firmly established world, and simultaneously blend naturally with the existing characters.

"I was grateful just to join a work that had received so much love. On the other hand, there was also the burden of having to blend into a solid team dynamic."

Jeong Eun-chae set several goals. The first was to seep in naturally. She said that "the top priority was to blend as naturally as possible into the set and the work."

Next, she thought about the character. She filled out character notes on what kind of relationship to form with Jin Yi-su (played by Ahn Bo-hyun), and what differentiation to make from the detective she had played before.

◆ A Welcome Detective, An Unfamiliar Position

'Chaebol x Detective 2' is an investigation drama about chaebol detective Jin Yi-su and the collaboration of the Violent Crimes Unit. Jeong Eun-chae took on the role of Ju Hye-ra, the newly introduced Violent Crimes Unit chief in Season 2. She is a character who leads the team with cool judgment and experience.

The pressure was significant. Season 1 had been hugely popular, and she had to enter an already complete team as a new character. She had to show Ju Hye-ra's unique color while not disrupting the existing rhythm. Nevertheless, she was drawn to the character's "quiet charisma."

"Ju Hye-ra moves the team with her own choices and words, but before that, she has the capacity to trust her team members and listen one more time. Her human depth felt most charming."

Playing a detective wasn't new. But this time it was different. Unlike the spirited youngest detective from before, she was in a position leading the Violent Crimes Unit. She had to approach cases and embrace people differently.

"In the previous work 'The Guest' (2018), I was the youngest detective. I collided roughly to the point of feeling physical limitations. On the other hand, Ju Hye-ra is a unit chief. I felt that composure and maturity needed to come through."

Jeong Eun-chae continued to think about how she could create a wave. She noted that "while refreshing the atmosphere, I wanted existing characters to appear more diverse through my chemistry with them."

◆ Charisma With Inner Sorrow

She wanted to create a difference in the relationship with Jin Yi-su. If Lee Gang-hyun (played by Park Ji-hyun) was a partner who clashed with Jin Yi-su and gradually grew closer, Ju Hye-ra emphasized the position of direct superior more.

She established Ju Hye-ra's nature as the opposite of Jin Yi-su. Unlike the free-spirited and intuitive Jin Yi-su, she led with cool and rational judgment.

"Jin Yi-su and Ju Hye-ra initially have an unfamiliar and awkward relationship in their different approaches. But as they solve cases, they come to acknowledge each other. So I wanted it to be visually apparent that they are a relationship where the two fill each other's gaps."

Ju Hye-ra is not a character whose past and inner self are explained in detail. Instead, hints from her actions and atmosphere scattered throughout would have to suggest her backstory. Jeong Eun-chae gained particular insight from Ju Hye-ra's home set.

"When I first went to Ju Hye-ra's home set, the character became clearer. Everything was organized on the outside, but one wall was filled with case files. The moment I saw that wall, I felt the tasks and inner self she carries."

So she chose to press energy inward rather than raise her voice or express emotions strongly. She incorporated this characteristic into styling as well. Jeong Eun-chae revealed that "I wanted the character itself to stand out rather than the styling. So I deliberately toned down the effort on clothing and makeup."

◆ Meeting Myself at the End of the Wave

That's how Jeong Eun-chae properly created a wave in Season 2. She added change to the existing team's dynamics and completed a different collaboration with Jin Yi-su. The drama wrapped up with a personal best viewership rating of 11.8%. She even left momentum for the next season.

The wave didn't remain confined within the work. Jeong Eun-chae has been frequently cast in particularly proactive and solid characters. With this addition of Ju Hye-ra, she came to look at herself anew.

"At first, I too questioned why I was consistently cast in strong roles. I didn't think I was the type of person with those strong qualities. But after continuously playing similar characters, I thought, 'Maybe I have this side to me too.'"

In particular, the attitude of trusting her own judgment and pushing forward resonated greatly. It was the courage to say "yes" alone when everyone else said no. Jeong Eun-chae reflected, "I'm not usually the type to express opinions strongly. Through Ju Hye-ra, I learned and felt vicarious satisfaction."

The impact extended to her perspective on the set. On the 'Chaebol x Detective 2' filming location, the warm atmosphere conveyed the chemistry accumulated by the actors since Season 1. Jeong Eun-chae likewise wanted to fulfill her role within that flow and remain a good member of the team.

"The temperature of the set was really warm. Bo-hyun kept the center of the filming location well. I thought what I could do was keep my promises and show sincerity. Even if it doesn't show, I wanted to do my part and be someone who remains a good memory for the people I was with."

◆ "I Await a New Face"

Following Kang Shin-jae in 'Honor', Jeong Eun-chae has consecutively embodied solid and charismatic characters in Ju Hye-ra of 'Chaebol x Detective 2'. In doing so, her eye has naturally begun turning to the opposite side of herself.

"I want to try a cute character. I often hear that I'm bright and adorable in private life. I also want to challenge works like romantic comedies where I can show that side."

Specifically, she hoped for roles with their feet planted in reality rather than characters with strong settings like detectives or chaebols. She said, "As I get older, the desire grows to act with a bare face close to my natural appearance, removing the filter of being cool, pretty, and handsome."

However, she doesn't intend to chase only desired characters. The standard remains quality of work. She wants to naturally encounter the face she has longed for within a good story.

It seems she is unhurried in choosing her next project. Yet her affection for acting appears to be something she cannot easily suppress.

"I want to keep showing the public a new face. Actually, I think works come like fate. I don't know what work I'll encounter, but imagining my next project makes me eager to get back to the set soon."

<Photos provided by Project Housefly>