In Your Radiant Season: Chae Jong Hyeop Reflects on His Role and Emotional Journey in MBC’s New Romance Drama
Actor Chae Jong Hyeop has opened up about his deep thoughts and affection for his upcoming drama In Your Radiant Season (찬란한 너의 계절에). His careful yet excited approach to the project reveals the sincerity with which he embraces both the story and his character.
The new MBC Friday–Saturday drama In Your Radiant Season premieres on February 20 at 9:50 PM. The series tells the story of a man who lives each day as if it were summer vacation and a woman who has locked herself away in winter. Their fateful encounter sets time in motion once again, weaving a romance filled with healing and transformation.
Chae Jong Hyeop plays Sun Woo Chan, an animator at Can Animation Studio. Sun Woo Chan radiates positivity and warmth, yet beneath his cheerful exterior lies hidden pain and scars. His life takes a dramatic turn when he reunites with Song Ha Ran after seven years, leading him into an entirely new chapter.
Explaining why he chose the project, Chae Jong Hyeop pointed to the drama’s opening line: “Which season of life are you passing through right now?” He shared, “That logline stayed with me for a long time. The structure, where past and present change completely through one pivotal moment, resonated deeply with me. It contains love, growth, and humanity, which made me want to be part of it.”
Speaking about his character, he described Sun Woo Chan as “a person who appears bright on the outside but carries pain within. Through his experiences, he grows and eventually develops a kind heart that seeks to help others.” He added, “Playing such a character excites me, but it also makes me constantly question how delicately I can portray him.”
Chae Jong Hyeop emphasized his focus on realism in performance: “Sun Woo Chan is not someone divided into extremes of brightness and pain. Instead, his hidden scars surface naturally in everyday life. I believe connecting those moments seamlessly is the most important aspect.”
He defined Sun Woo Chan with three keywords: summer vacation, free-spirited, pine tree. “He is exciting and free like summer vacation, yet strong and enduring like a pine tree that never changes color throughout the seasons,” he explained.
The actor also praised the atmosphere on set and his chemistry with fellow cast members. “The synergy with the actors is wonderful. Actress Lee Sung Kyung immerses herself in character the moment filming begins, and her energy draws me in naturally. I’m also learning a great deal from the warm environment created by senior actors and the staff.”
Finally, Chae Jong Hyeop shared his hopes for the audience: “I would like viewers to watch the drama while keeping the keywords ‘memory’ and ‘character’ in mind. I hope In Your Radiant Season becomes a chance for everyone to reflect on their own season of life.”
Read: Lee Sung Kyung Transforms into Fashion Designer Song Ha Ran in In Your Radiant Season
