[Actor Spotlight] Jinyoung
by missvictrix
Park Jinyoung, or Jinyoung as he is more commonly known, is currently starring in tvN’s Monday-Tuesday drama That Psychometric Guy. The drama is Jinyoung’s first leading role, and is soon finishing up its successful run.
Jinyoung was born in 1994 in the city of Changwon, South Korea. He trained with JYP Entertainment until he made his debut in 2011, first as an actor, in Dream High 2. But Jinyoung was also poised to debut as an idol/singer, and in 2013, formed a duo with labelmate Im Jae-beom (also known as JB). Though the duo soon evolved into the boy group Got7, Jinyoung has found a lot of career success since his debut. In addition to his idol activities, he’s also taken on several acting roles in TV dramas, film, and shorter-form web dramas.
Not every idol is meant for leading man drama stardom, but Jinyoung is one that is poised for success. He has a boyishness about him that translates really nicely on the screen, as well as a natural and easy presence — he often feels more like a neighborhood kid than a flashy idol, and that’s a big part of his appeal (and success).
Here are some dramaland moments from Jinyoung, followed by his full filmography.
When A Man Loves (2015)
What happens when a man loves? I don’t know if that’s something we can really generalize about, but in this drama, it meant a rather conflicted gangster, Song Seung-heon, after he fell in love with Shin Se-kyung. Her bookseller family was deep in debt, and the story was full of entanglements and high drama. Im Jae-beom played Shin Se-kyung’s sweet younger brother, who was also training as an idol with the hope of helping his family. His friend and fellow trainee was none other than Jinyoung (who went by JR or Junior at the time), and the drama had a few random scenes of the two endlessly training, dancing, and being cute. Yes, this was a shameless plug by JYP for the two, who were debuting as the duo JJ Project (watch their debut music video if you haven’t seen it). It’s also a funny bit of meta-reference, since their roles in this drama didn’t actually require much acting from either of them.
Beloved Eun-dong (2015)
Beloved Eun-dong is right up there in my Top 5 list of dramas that started out with a strong storyline featuring a younger version of the leading cast. So strong, in fact, that I almost didn’t want the cast (or the story) to transition. Jinyoung played the teenage incarnation of Joo Jin-mo here, and radiated this heartfelt innocence and affection that was hard to forget. As with most stories that transition to an adult cast, the leads were pulled apart as children, but were reunited later in life. Sometimes when the cast switches over I have a hard time stitching them together as the same character, but in this drama, I kept seeing shades of Jinyoung’s performance in Joo Jin-mo’s and it worked quite well.
That Psychometric Guy (2019)
This tvN drama is finishing up a successful run, and stars Jinyoung in the title role of the rascally kid with a tragic past and a supernatural gift. I’m currently marathoning the drama so I’m little behind the curve, but I’m loving his energy in the drama — he feels so young and boyish, and I appreciate that they’re keeping him as such (at least so far). Though Jinyoung has said in interviews that he was quite nervous for his first leading drama role, I think the casting was spot-on here. After all, the drama relies on you rooting for this kid to get a grip on himself, come to terms with his past, and hone his gift. That gift is what carries the entire drama of course, and it’s fun to see a classical literary trope come to life in a high school story. That trope is the idea of “compensation” — that a hero can suffer great wrongs, but receive a gift that balances out his fate. I’m excited to see how this plays out for our psychometric guy.
Jinyoung’s full filmography:
- Dream High 2 (2012) [Drama]
The second try is almost never as good as the first, but that didn’t stop a second season from getting off the ground. This one also contained Im Jae-beom and Park Seo-joon, so why I haven’t watched it through yet is a mystery to me. - When A Man Loves (2013) [Drama]
Jinyoung basically plays himself in a parallel universe in this drama. In other words, a sweet, fresh, and hardworking trainee (see above). - Dream Knight (2015) [Web drama]
This JYP web drama starred all the Got7 members with Song Ha-yoon as the heroine. I don’t remember much about this web drama except for the fact that I completely enjoyed all levels of the ridiculous here, from the member antics and token personalities, to the fantasy knight in shining armor moments. - Beloved Eun-dong (2015) [Drama]
In a drama that relied heavily on the strength and emotive power of its backstory, Jinyoung really nailed his role in this romance drama. - Legend of the Blue Sea (2016) [Drama]
Jinyoung had the enviable task of playing the younger version of Lee Min-ho in this famous mermaid drama (I wish I liked it more than I did). - School of Magic (2017) [Web drama]
Jinyoung, Nichkun, Yoon Park, and several more JYP performers, starred in this web drama about a bunch of college students with dreams, and the magic school where they converge. This one sounds fun. And I love weird little web dramas. - Snowflake (2017) [Film]
Jinyoung starred with Ji Woo in this independent film (sometimes marketed as A Stray Goat) about a boy who moves to a rural village. - That Psychometric Guy (2019) [Drama]
Jinyoung channels his best boyish energy — and sees into other people’s souls — in this currently airing drama (see above).
RELATED POSTS
- That Psychometric Guy: Episode 1
- Flirting over the piano in tvN’s That Psychometric Guy
- tvN’s That Psychometric Guy releases first video teaser
- New stills for fantasy romance That Psychometric Guy
- Stills and casting additions for tvN’s That Psychometric Guy
- tvN drama That Psychometric Guy rounds out cast
- Got7 Jinyoung to star in tvN’s supernatural rom-com
Tags: Actor Spotlight, Got7 Jinyoung
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1 ObsessedMuch
April 20, 2019 at 10:08 AM
He has really worked hard on his skills! I really see a lot of progress!
I remember watching My Lovely Eun Dong only for his part of the show! And he was really memorable in LotBS!
I am currently enjoying his role in He is Psychometric a lot! ❤️
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2 RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 20, 2019 at 10:22 AM
I'm so proud of him and so happy that he is being featured in this series! I really need to watch his and JB's scenes in When a Man Loves 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚
One small correction: JJ Project debuted in 2012 💚
Fun fact: the girl who played the young Eun Dong also starred in GOT7's Just Right MV 💚
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vrdk3IGcau8
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3 Jawhard Bouaitah
April 20, 2019 at 1:14 PM
Bonjour Paris junior je m'appelle Jaja je suis fan de vous tous
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4 RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 20, 2019 at 2:24 PM
@hades @mayhemf @ndlessjoie @13infamyss @ally-le @superwhopotterlock @stpauligurl @halfmoon @anothernicole @isthatacorner @egads @justme @faraway @mintkiri
I thought you all might be interested in reading this 💚
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13infamyss
April 20, 2019 at 7:20 PM
He is amazing in He Is Psychometric! I’m gonna count this as the first drama I saw him in. I refuse to acknowledge I ever watched Dream High 2. 🤬
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 20, 2019 at 7:49 PM
Did you hate Dream High 2 that much? 😂 I liked it but I'm JB biased 😍 His blond, perfectly swooshed hair was reason enough for me to love the drama.
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13infamyss
April 21, 2019 at 5:51 AM
Hated every bit of it, unfortunately. lol Well I liked the OST, so minus that I guess. Park Seo Joon debuted in this drama too, but I`m gonna say as well that I saw him first in Witch's Romance. 😬
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 21, 2019 at 7:59 AM
Park Seo Joon had such a small role in DH2! I was surprised that JB was the lead and PSJ was a supporting character 😄
mugyuljoie is preciousss
April 21, 2019 at 12:00 AM
I saw it. I was waiting for several more paragraphs from you before I commented. 💚😄💚
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 21, 2019 at 12:21 AM
😂💚
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JustMe
April 21, 2019 at 9:16 AM
He is such a good looking guy with charming boyish looks. Im afraid he'll be typecast as that for his next roles. But I'd love to see him in a college slice of life drama! He does the extremes of adorable comedy and nuanced melo well. Well at least in He is Psychometric...
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 21, 2019 at 10:49 AM
That would be awesome 💚 I hope he gets a villain role too sometime. I think he could be really good at that.
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egads aka Dame Maggie
April 21, 2019 at 6:18 PM
He needs a good serial killer role to showcase an even broader range of acting. Who would suspect that face?
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Kairoskat 💐
April 21, 2019 at 6:36 PM
Egads really loves serial killers 😉
egads aka Dame Maggie
April 21, 2019 at 6:48 PM
@katakwasabi It would be futile to deny this fact. But it should be noted that I only like fictional serial killers. I do not condone the serial killing in real life. Unless maybe they deserve it. Oh wait, no, no. Killing is bad. Right?
Cloggie
April 23, 2019 at 12:23 AM
@katakwasabi, the point is that playing an amazing baddy lifts any actor's career. I shan't mention any names, in case they're spoilers, but I'm sure you know the ones I mean.
peachietime
April 23, 2019 at 12:01 AM
His performance last night at the tunnel was amazing. Honestly I just really need him to act a cold hearted killer but acts like the most lovable person on the surface lol His eyes can get real creepy lol
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 23, 2019 at 12:03 AM
The tunnel scene was fantastic 💚
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peachietime
April 23, 2019 at 12:16 AM
IKR? His anger turns into worry and like woke up from reality for Jisoo. Gosh that transition!
5 Kafiyah Bello
April 20, 2019 at 4:00 PM
My sweet dumb dumb, love him in He is Psychometric
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6 Le__Ssy
April 20, 2019 at 4:49 PM
i was just thinking about him 💚💚💚 #ohNo 👉🏼💚👈🏼
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 20, 2019 at 5:11 PM
Have you finished GOT7's Jeju show? Do you need more recommendations? 💚
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Le__Ssy
April 20, 2019 at 5:22 PM
yup! 💚 afterwards had tuna mayo rice cravings tho. 🍚 LOL. haha i havent even finished ur first recommendations. 😂
was thinking of finishing the hard carry vlive episodes but im at a very slow pace even tho its the holidays due to extra 😂 teaching preparations for monday meeting. but thats okay, i have a lot of material to work with. 💚
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 20, 2019 at 5:33 PM
Good luck with your preparations!
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7 jetsetlag
April 20, 2019 at 5:47 PM
JINYOUNGGGGGGGGG adjflajsdl;afjdljfaldjf
omg. i love him. seriously.
Though tbh I was surprised that he got a spotlight already, but I'm NOT complaining ;) He's my ult JYP bias and I'm so glad that unlike Jaebum he's got the acting chops ('life is acting' LOL). He actually got my attention in Legend of the Blue Sea, and I was super excited that he finally got a lead role.
aw this post warms my heart~~~
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 20, 2019 at 5:52 PM
I think it's funny that JB was the one with a lead role in Dream High 2 but Jinyoung is the one who is really into acting now 😄💚
Are you an ahgase?
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jetsetlag
April 21, 2019 at 8:39 AM
I'm literally everything JYP biased😂but yes definitely an ahgase/hottest first.
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 21, 2019 at 10:47 AM
💚
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8 Ally
April 20, 2019 at 7:29 PM
This guy is going places! Saw him first in My Love, Eun Dong as well and @missvictrix took the words right out of my mouth, about Jinyoung and then about the show in general. I wished that somehow he could have played the college-aged Jin-Mo as well, but he was so fresh faced, that would have been hard. How impressed would I have been though? Actually, looking at that picture again, I could see him as a college coed. And I’m LOVING him in He’s Psychometric. He’s so believable, affable, and just adorable. And if you don’t believe me:
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Ally
April 20, 2019 at 7:29 PM
https://media2.giphy.com/media/RJnfGzSp7smzLMVafE/giphy.gif?cid=4bf119fc5cbbd53f4955367549698ca8
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 20, 2019 at 7:47 PM
Cute 💚
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9 astromantic
April 20, 2019 at 7:36 PM
I could've sworn he was in Moonlight Drawn By The Clouds, am I confusing him with another idol?
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 20, 2019 at 7:46 PM
That was B1A4 Jinyoung 🙂
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astromantic
April 21, 2019 at 10:26 AM
I can't keep up with these idol groups anymore, haha. Thank you!
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10 Little Deer
April 20, 2019 at 8:07 PM
I never paid much attention to Jinyoung (or GOT7 in general), but after watching him in He is Psychometric, I'm excited to see more of his acting projects. I think he is doing a fantastic job of portraying Lee Ahn in He is Psychometric. I strongly agree with your statement regarding his appearance, especially the part about him having "a natural and easy presence — he often feels more like a neighborhood kid than a flashy idol, and that’s a big part of his appeal". When I first saw his visual in He is Psychometric, I likened him to the description of "the boy next door".
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11 Andrea
April 20, 2019 at 9:51 PM
I'm actually so impressed by his performance in That Psychometric Guy, he really embodies that character well.
Sometimes when an actor is someone I knew previously mostly as an idol (Minho and Key from shinee, Chanyeol from exo, etc.) I have trouble transitioning when I see them on screen - it takes a while for me to get into the show before they feel like their character, if that makes sense. But in this case, Jinyoung is so convincing and charming (and funny) as Lee An that I had no problem immediately becoming immersed in the story. He's really a talented actor! Also, his sweater paws are adorable.
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12 mugyuljoie is preciousss
April 21, 2019 at 12:04 AM
I didn't even know he existed (sorry @raonah) until I started watching That Psychometric Guy. He was made for this role and as far as I'm concerned he's carrying the drama. I'm enjoying his role in this as much as I enjoyed Ji Chang Wook's role in Healer, and that's saying a lot. I'll be eagerly awaiting each drama he takes on after this one.
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 21, 2019 at 12:22 AM
It makes me so happy to hear that people who weren't fans of Jinyoung before are enjoying his performance 💚 I'm also looking foreward to his future dramas. I hope that he will get lots of offers after this.
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
April 21, 2019 at 12:32 AM
Me too.
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13 korfan
April 21, 2019 at 1:53 AM
I remember seeing him in a drama for the first time in When A Man Loves alongside his groupmate JB! He has worked hard since his start in dramas and it's very nice to see him getting involved with more acting projects. I know he is receiving many positive comments regarding his latest show!
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14 YY Chats with Toast Between Bites
April 21, 2019 at 2:04 AM
I watched When A Man Loves for a while, but had to give up because of SSH's remarkable overacting. Who knew that Jin Young was there too? He's such a terrific actor, everything about him dazzles, from that radiant smile to those bright eyes and those sparkling teeth. The show is so dark and grim, that his brightness is needed to lighten the sombreness. I am still haunted by the latest episodes, and I think I'm going to be haunted by the images of Hyung's past for a long, long time.
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15 mano
April 21, 2019 at 3:28 AM
Omo omo, drama beans why you have two write about him now??
I have no time to watch he's psychometric or involve in the conversation on raonah's wall
Why I must get this assignment now 😢😢
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 21, 2019 at 8:00 AM
We miss you in the discussions 😭 I hope your assignment is over soon and you have time to catch up on Psychometric 💚
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16 isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
April 21, 2019 at 4:53 AM
@raonah you are such a cute little mother hen, reading each lost about Jinyoung, making sure that they are kind, recc'ing other Jinyoung/got7 projects. Just fluttering around. Cute!
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
April 21, 2019 at 5:08 AM
It's all part of her devious plot to recruit new GOT7 devotees.
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RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 21, 2019 at 8:02 AM
@ndlessjoie You've caught onto my evil plot 😂 Is it working? Have I made any new ahgases yet? 😄💚
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
April 21, 2019 at 9:25 AM
I'm a devoted fan of the actor so far. Only time will tell whether I'll slip further into his clutches.
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isa: I'm not a serial killer I'm just really passionate about things
April 21, 2019 at 10:07 AM
He has such a lovely voice, though! You should think about expanding your devotion.
RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
April 21, 2019 at 10:52 AM
I agree with isa. After all, what else are you going to do without Jinyoung while you wait for his next acting project? 😉💚
mugyuljoie is preciousss
April 21, 2019 at 12:04 PM
@raonah and @isthatacorner now all we need is @hades to weigh in. Glad there's no peer pressure here. 😂
하데스
April 21, 2019 at 12:25 PM
ROFLMAO! Ok, ok. I plan to catch up between today and tomorrow.
17 alyssa
April 21, 2019 at 5:50 AM
He has really amazing talent both on singing & acting not to he left behind his dancing. I hope more people will recognize everything that he does. Keep it up Jinyoung!😚
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18 mintkiri 🌱🌘
April 21, 2019 at 10:07 AM
Comment was deleted
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peachietime
April 23, 2019 at 12:09 AM
And what I love about this is the fact that this character can easily be overacted and become an annoying kid lol Cheeky is hard to not overact enough and making the character so likable is even harder lol
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19 Hey
April 21, 2019 at 6:02 PM
Thank you for this piece!! I understand that you're still catching up with He is Psychometric, but it's way more than a high school love story - as you keep watching, you'll realise just how deep the storyline is and how intermingled everyone's pasts are. It exposes the underbelly of Korea e.g. police corruption as everyone is familiar with by now thanks to the Seungri scandal and it's just such a wonderful and meaningful drama. I started watching this for Jinyoung and I didn't have many expectations but WOW, this actually is my favourite drama of 2019 so far, if not of all time.
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20 Yashashree Jadhav
April 21, 2019 at 8:56 PM
I absolutely adore Jinyoung! He has come such a loooong way from his Dream High days! I remember watching him and JB in Dream High and feel hard for both of them. And then in Dream Knight after which I came to know what Got7/ JJ project was!
Jinyoung has this way of being comfortable in his acting roles and that is what helps an idol become an actor.
He has worked hard on improving his acting and it shows really well in Psychometry.
He has such a cute smile too!
p.s. does anyone know how to get into JPY actors (like Ye Eun) so I can study acting with him? hahaha
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21 pinktape
April 22, 2019 at 10:45 PM
I refuse to acknowledge Dream High 2 (and that drama was included in both Jinyoung and JB's dark history on Weekly Idol anyways so it's not just us lmao), but even then Jinyoung (Jr.!) was nothing but adorable <3.
After DH I never watched him acting again (I know he got good reviews for Beloved Eundong though) and only focused on him as an idol (although I'm not an ahgase), so when I FINALLY decided to watch He is Psychometric, I was blown away. He kind of reminds me of Yoo Seungho, and I agree that he's a natural. If he keeps this up, he can be as good as Lee Junho (who also happens to be in JYP). I follow k-pop intensely so the fact that I'm able to see him as an actor (as his character, more specifically) instead of an idol who acts is a very good sign because apparently that doesn't happen often :(
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22 peachietime
April 23, 2019 at 12:14 AM
So curious to watch you think about his acting until ep8-13. The drama is actually not really high school lol and it gets dark lol but Jinyoung is showcasing so much range in the later episodes instead of being a likable adorable cheeky kid. His emotional scenes are executed so well. His pain, shock, sadness, regrets, anger, worry, love, weakness, feeling of unfair, etc. It’s been really great!!!
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