Exclusive Interview: Ji Chang Wook, Sooyoung, And Won Ji An Talk “If You Wish Upon Me,” Future Drama Roles, Vacation Spots, And More

The main cast members of “If You Wish Upon Me” have taken time for a special interview with Soompi!

“If You Wish Upon Me” is a drama inspired by an actual organization in the Netherlands that fulfils the wishes of terminal cancer patients. Ji Chang Wook stars as Yoon Gyeo Re, a man who has been pushed to his limits by a difficult life full of struggles. However, when Yoon Gyeo Re winds up having to volunteer at a hospice, he finds his life changing in unexpected ways while helping to make the patients’ wishes come true. Girls’ Generation’s Sooyoung plays the hospice hospital’s nurse Seo Yeon Joo, while Won Ji An plays Ha Jun Kyung, who grows obsessed with Yoon Gyeo Re after he lends her a helping hand for the first time in her life.

Check out our exclusive interview with the actors below:

What were your first impressions of the “If You Wish Upon Me” script?

Ji Chang Wook: I thought, “I’ve always wanted to work on a story like this. It’s a story I want to do.”

Sooyoung: I thought that it is a drama with a really heartwarming story. Although the drama deals with the subject of death, it focuses on a warm and hopeful message rather than uneasiness and darkness, so I thought that it would become a great drama.

Won Ji An: I felt that it is a very heartwarming and interesting story.

What were your first impressions of each other, and how have they changed?

Ji Chang Wook: I’ve heard a lot of praise about Choi Sooyoung from people around me. Actually meeting her in person, she is cool and has a really great personality. She is also a wonderful actress. Not only her acting, but even her attitude on set makes her a colleague that I have a lot to learn from. As for Won Ji An, I was impressed when I saw her in the drama “D.P.” In person, she is polite and hard-working on set. She has various strengths and charms as an actress.

Sooyoung: When I first met Chang Wook, he seemed a bit shy, but now we are very close and comfortable with each other, and I have felt that he is someone who is really considerate and thinks of others. As for Ji An, she didn’t talk much at first, but the more I get to know her, I feel that she is a really entertaining person.

Won Ji An: My first impressions of them haven’t really changed! They are still shining.

Did you study or prepare anything specifically for this role?

Ji Chang Wook: Rather than studying, I prepared a lot for the character itself. I lost a lot of weight and put much consideration into the styling and clothing to reflect the natural style [of the role]. I also thought a lot about the character’s emotions.

Sooyoung: As Yeon Joo is a character who works out a lot, even my first scene included me exercising. I thought that I had to get in better shape, so I worked out a lot.

Won Ji An: Since my role requires a lot of unhealthy behavior, I tried to maintain a healthy lifestyle when not filming.

What is the most difficult aspect of acting out this character?

Ji Chang Wook: The story about death is connected to the character, but I wanted to convey [the story] with warmth rather than making it just complicated and dark. It was difficult figuring out how to touch readers with warm emotions rather than just the sadness that I feel.

Sooyoung: I think having to exercise was the most difficult part. I don’t have to show my body, but my arms do show in the scenes. In order for my arm muscles to show up nicely, I had to drink less water and manage my diet. Since it was my first time managing a diet, there were some difficulties, but I think I got through it well.

Won Ji An: My character becomes more difficult if I think too deeply, but I think at some point I did fall into deep thoughts. Whenever that happened, I remember trying to think more clearly and simply.

What do you usually do during breaks on set?

Ji Chang Wook: I chat. I really talked a lot with Sung Dong Il and other senior actors, Sooyoung, etc. I also talked a lot with the producing director, filming directors, and lighting directors. Sometimes I roamed around set like a security guard.

Sooyoung: I spent time joking around and talking with my colleagues and senior actors. The atmosphere on set was so great. Rather than just resting in the waiting room, I tried to maintain my energy by continuously talking and laughing.

Won Ji An: I read my script for the next scene, listen to music, or chat with my manager. But I don’t sleep!

What are the most important factors that you take into consideration when accepting an acting project?

Ji Chang Wook: These days, I think about whether this is a story that I really want to tell people as an actor and as the person Ji Chang Wook. I consider whether it is a project that I can enjoy working on when on set.

Sooyoung: If the script is enjoyable, my heart follows. I think it is also important to know what kind of people I am working with.

Won Ji An: It’s about whether I feel attracted to this project or not.