The story of how Lee Yoo-mi, who was not on the casting list for the drama “Mental Coach Jegal”, won her first drama lead role
Lee Yoo-mi expressed her feelings about taking on her first lead role in a mini-series.
The online press conference for tvN’s new Monday-Tuesday drama “Mental Coach Jegal” was held on the afternoon of September 6th. Actors Jung Woo, Lee Yoo-mi, Kwon Yul, Park Se-young, and director Son Jeong-hyun attended the event.
First, Lee Yoo-mi greeted, “It’s such an honor to me to appear in this drama. That’s why I wanted to do better. I’m very happy to be given this opportunity and I also feel very grateful to the director. Thank you so much”.
The actress continued, “This is my first time filming a drama from the beginning until the end as a lead actress. (In my previous works) I always died in the middle of the story (laughs). This is my first time being alive until the end. As it’s a new experience for me, I’m looking forward to the drama even more. I’m very curious about how the story will finish.”
Revealing some behind-the-scenes stories about the casting, director Son Jeong-hyun explained, “She (Lee Yoo-mi) was actually not on the casting list. However, one day, Jung Woo introduced her to me. Then ‘Squid Game’ became famous. After watching that drama, I was impressed by her good acting skills. I looked for her filmography. Her acting is good and she also has great passion. ‘I will become an actress’, I can see her determination. When I told her that she had to learn short-track speed skating, she replied, ‘I can even do triathlon’. That’s how she was chosen as Jegal Gil’s partner.”
“Mental Coach Jegal” is a sports drama that tells about a former national team athlete becoming a mental coach to heal other athletes and fight against injustice in sports. This work is created by the collaboration of screenwriter Kim Ban-di, who was behind the success of “Angry Mom” and “Special Labor Inspector”, and director Son Jeong-hyun of “Protect the Boss”, “Yeah, That’s How It Is” and “Shall We Kiss First?”. The drama will air its first episode at 10:30 p.m on September 12th.
Source: Daum
