Entering the world of GOT7's Jinyoung in Yumi's Cells

Have you ever thought that, maybe, all our choices are made in a small village populated by Smurfs-like cells that work day and night to improve our lives? We first discovered it might be the case by reading the first few episodes of the Yumi's Cells webtoon. It was April 1st, 2015. A few years later, Yumi's life became such a hit to the point that Studio Dragon chose to create a tv adaptation of the webtoon and transform Yumi's world into a K-drama.

Yumi's Cells is described as a cell-based psychological romance that unravels the daily life of an ordinary office worker Yumi (played by Kim Go Eun), through the eyes of the cells in her head. The series premiered on tvN on September 17th, 2021, and is now in the middle of the second - and final - season and revolves around the life choices of a thirty-something woman. Work, friendship, and love are the ingredients of the common Yumi's life and her cells-based world.

After a relationship with Woong - played by the talented Ahn Bo-hyun - in season one, Yumi's new love interest is Yoo Babi, portrayed by the multi-hyphenated GOT7's Jinyoung. Jinyoung, who's known for being one of the best idol actors in the Hallyu panorama, is now the male lead in Yumi's life. Will this overly-perfect guy be Yumi's happy ending?

Panorama spoke with Jinyoung in an exclusive interview for the Italian public.

Congratulations on Yumi’s Cells season 2. Can you please introduce yourself and your characters?

Hello, I am Park Jinyoung, also known as GOT7’s Jinyoung. In Season 2 of Yumi’s Cells, I am playing a character called Yoo Babi, working in the marketing team of Daehan Guksu. He is a character forming a new relationship with Yumi.

You were a side character in season one, now you are the main lead. How does it feed and how did it change the approach on are you portraying Babi?

From the beginning, I was cast for both seasons and had known about it, so I kept season 2 in mind while filming the first season. I tried to create my character by looking at the big picture overall.

Babi is a man who firmly believes in love. How did you develop this character?

When I first received the script, I could see Babi as a very friendly character. He is a character very truthful in his feelings about others, especially his significant other, so I tried my best to express this aspect.

Babi is the next-door perfect boyfriend. Some describe you the same way. Do you feel any connections with Babi? In which way?

The only thing I see that is similar to Babi is the hairstyle, so I appreciate the compliment (he smiles).

Can you tell us any fun behind the scene while shooting?

While shooting episodes 3 and 4, there was a romantic scene between Yumi and Babi. Producer Cho read the lines in a different Korean dialect (called satoori). I also know how to speak in satoori, but it was really funny to see him reenacting the romantic scene with that specific accent.

Let’s talk about the cells. This is a really unique concept. How did you react knowing there is a whole storyline in the cells’ world of your characters?

I always thought this drama was very unique and creative ever since I saw the original work as a webtoon, the moment I heard they were going to recreate it as a drama, and even while filming. There are no other dramas like this one anywhere in the world, so I am very honored and happy to have been a part of it.

Which do you think would be your primary cell and why?

I would like to be the metabolism cell because if that cell works hard, I don’t think I would ever gain weight.

You and Yumi (Kim Go Eun) worked together in season one as co-workers. Now the story talks about your newfound feelings. How was working on the script?

I think the viewers should look forward to the extent Yumi and Babi influence each other as humans. For me, I learned a lot from Kim Go Eun in terms of acting. I had a wonderful experience of being able to follow her lead without having to say much, and it was an honor working with her.

If you had to describe this drama in one word which would it be?

A story for all Yumi's, and a story of all Yumi's of this world.

You are also busy on other projects, like GOT7's first comeback in years and Christmas Carol. What should we expect from you next?

There are some movies that I have worked on to be released soon. They have greatly influenced me in a positive way just as ‘Yumi’s Cells’ did, so I hope you all look forward to it.