Yoon Shi-yoon has revealed that he nearly lost the lead role in the hit drama Bread, Love and Dreams before the series went on to become a nationwide phenomenon with a peak viewership rating of 49.3%.

During the July 1 broadcast of the MBC variety show Radio Star, Yoon appeared alongside Ryu Soo-young, Choi Jin-hyuk, and Sandeul. During the conversation, he shared behind-the-scenes stories from landing the starring role in the iconic KBS2 drama.

Yoon explained that after making his acting debut through the sitcom High Kick Through the Roof, he was unexpectedly considered for his first leading role in a serious drama. “There was a lot of opposition from people around me,” he recalled. “Eventually, both the director and the writer were planning to replace me.”

According to the actor, he was originally invited to a meeting where he believed he would be informed that the casting had fallen through.

“Looking back now, it was obviously meant to be a meeting where they would apologize and tell me I couldn’t do the role,” Yoon said. “But I cluelessly showed up having prepared enthusiastically.”

He added that the drama centered on a tragic story, while its protagonist was someone who faced hardships with an optimistic spirit.

“The director watched me and then said, ‘Let’s trust him and move forward,’” Yoon recalled. “That’s how I ended up keeping the role.”

Although he ultimately secured the part, Yoon admitted that the early stages of filming were far from easy, especially when it came to emotional scenes.

“There were so many heartbreaking moments in the drama,” he said. “At the beginning of filming, I struggled so much with crying scenes that I couldn’t produce tears even after one or two hours.”

He continued, “Even when filming was postponed until the next day, I still couldn't cry. The pressure only made it harder.” Yoon expressed gratitude to veteran actor Park Sung-woong, who stepped in to help by acting as his on-screen mother during rehearsals.

“After crying with his help, I finally got the hang of it,” Yoon said.

The actor also shared memories from his early days on High Kick Through the Roof. He recalled bursting into tears with his mother after learning he had been cast in the sitcom.

Yoon revealed that, despite being an adult newcomer, he relied on child actors Jin Ji-hee and Seo Shin-ae, who were only around 11 and 12 years old at the time, to teach him how to read scripts and explain industry terminology such as “bust shot.”

He also entertained viewers with a humorous story about buying his first new car. Wanting to show it off, he planned an outing to the Han River with the child actors, only to be surprised when Jin Ji-hee secretly invited senior actress Shin Se-kyung to join them.

Reflecting on his early career, Yoon said he was able to grow as an actor thanks to the support of veteran performers, including Lee Soon-jae, as well as his younger co-stars, to whom he remains deeply grateful.

Sources: Daum