SEVENTEEN member Seungkwan has opened up about his first acting challenge, saying he did not want to coast through it on popularity alone. Appearing as rookie actor Boo Seung-kwan, he spoke about the nerves and preparation behind his move into acting ahead of military service.
The conversation was released on November 2 on actress Chae Jung-an’s YouTube channel, Chae Jung-an TV, where the pair talked over a meal. Sports Dong-A reported on November 3 that Seungkwan discussed his acting debut alongside Chae Jung-an, his co-star in the upcoming drama “수목금,” expected next year.
Seungkwan said actor friends first suggested he try acting. He worried at first that the playful image fans know from variety shows might make his performance look comic, but friends told him his serious side suited acting too, and he began studying performances across several works, including singers who became actors.
“I did not want to become someone who just gets by because I am popular, so I keep researching and studying more,” he said. He added that he knew he could not expect such a large and good role at the very start, framing himself as a beginner determined to earn his place.
He recalled his first script reading, saying his hands shook with nerves when his turn came. Chae Jung-an, he said, spoke to him first in the unfamiliar room, helped him relax, and told him afterward that he had done well. She recalled that, despite his shaking, he came across as flexible and quick — praise he called extremely high.
The interview follows a milestone for SEVENTEEN: Seungkwan and Dino began mandatory military service together on October 26 as Army military band soldiers, closing the group’s round of enlistments. Every member subject to service has now either completed it or is serving, while leader S.Coups was exempted after a cruciate ligament rupture.
Seungkwan closed the video by greeting fans before his service and saying he would return after finishing well. Chae Jung-an cheered him on and asked viewers to look forward to his performance next year; no broadcast date was given in the report.
