Han Eun-sung's Superb Portrayal of Passionate Rookie Lawyer Choi Joon in "Divorce Attorney Shin" Affirms Drama's Well-Crafted Narrative and Clear Direction

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Actor Han Eun-sung, known for his stable acting skills and captivating visuals in various works such as "SNL Korea Season 5," "Always Spring," "Introverted Boss," "Bad Thief, Good Thief," "Meloholic," "Grand Prince," "Royal Secret Agent," and "Young Lady and Gentleman," solidified his status as a remarkable actor through his role in "'Divorce Attorney Shin." In JTBC's weekend drama, Han Eun-sung portrayed the passionate rookie lawyer, Choi Joon.

In an interview after the drama's conclusion, Han Eun-sung expressed his admiration for "Divorce Attorney Shin" as a well-crafted drama that delves into the themes of love and divorce. He praised the clear character narratives and accurate storytelling, stating that the drama effectively conveyed its intended message. Han Eun-sung recommended watching the series in one go to fully appreciate its charm, rather than waiting for weekly episodes.

Reflecting on the casting process, Han Eun-sung shared that he had a productive one-on-one meeting with the director for the role of Choi Joon. The positive atmosphere during the meeting led the director to exclaim, "Ah, I found Choi Joon!" Han Eun-sung aimed to showcase the distinctive characteristics of Choi Joon during the meeting, emphasizing that the character's initial impression was one of excitement and playfulness.

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"'Divorce Attorney Shin" is a humorous human drama centered around Shin Sung Han (played by Cho Seung-woo), a divorce attorney who is an artist, and the unconventional divorce cases he encounters. It also explores the dynamic chemistry among his three close friends. In the series, Choi Joon is an intern at the prestigious law firm "Geumhwa Law Firm" who, despite his outstanding academic achievements, chooses to work at Shin Sung Han's office, bringing both seriousness and occasional clumsiness to the storyline.

As Han Eun-sung delved into the character of Choi Joon, he realized the complexity and delicacy of the role. He strived to capture Choi Joon's strong beliefs and convictions, considering his personality type as an "ENFP (MBTI) lawyer with a strong MZ generation personality." Han Eun-sung contemplated the appropriate direction for the character, balancing intelligence and studiousness with a lighthearted touch.

​The star-studded cast of "Divorce Attorney Shin" includes Cho Seung-woo as Shin Sung Han, Kim Sung-kyun as Jang Hyeong Geun, Jung Moon-sung as Jo Jeong-sik, and Han Hye-jin as famous radio DJ Lee Seo Jin. The drama gained attention even before its release due to its exceptional cast. Han Eun-sung expressed his anticipation for working with Cho Seung-woo, whom he has admired since his youth and who has been a significant source of inspiration throughout his acting career.

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Senior actor Cho Seung-woo made Han Eun-sung feel at ease from the beginning, even suggesting that Han Eun-sung address him as "hyung" (meaning "older brother"). The actors in "Divorce Attorney Shin" possessed genuine, pure, and lovely qualities that differed from their on-screen roles. Every scene and moment of filming alongside the senior actors were memorable and inspiring for Han Eun-sung, who deeply appreciated their heartfelt performances.

"Divorce Attorney Shin" portrays the emotional conflicts and reconciliation processes experienced by divorce lawyer Shin Sung Han, rookie lawyer Choi Joon, and former counseling manager turned star DJ Lee Seo Jin as they meet clients with their unique stories. With the inclusion of various cameo appearances and special guest actors, the drama presents realistic performances that enhance viewer immersion.

​Han Eun-sung shared a memorable episode from the filming process, recounting a day when heavy rain trapped the cast and crew on Gangbyeonbuk-ro for five hours, preventing them from reaching the filming location. Despite the initial tension and excitement turning into fear, the director and production team showed understanding and canceled the shoot.

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Among the memorable scenes, Han Eun-sung highlighted the divorce mediation room scene in episode 9, which dealt with schizophrenia. In that scene, he focused on delivering his lines in a way that honored Shin Sung Han while expressing Choi Joon's individual style. Overall, the filming process proceeded smoothly and without delays, leaving Han Eun-sung impressed with the efficiency of the production.

Debuting in season 5 of tvN's "SNL Korea" in 2014 and serving as a regular cast member until 2016, Han Eun-sung has made a lasting impression on viewers. Shortly after completing "Divorce Attorney Shin," he made a special appearance in the SBS drama "The Secret Romantic Guesthouse" as Jung Gil-jun. Although he has yet to explore many roles and genres, Han Eun-sung expressed his desire to tackle strong and intense characters, including villains and action-packed roles.

​"I have a very masculine side and a strong sportsman-like personality, so I can't wait to showcase different aspects of myself. There are still many sides of me that haven't been revealed... (laughs) but I plan to gradually unveil them in the future. I will strive to entertain and impress you all with my performances."

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"Divorce Attorney Shin" achieved a 7.3% viewership rating from its first broadcast, setting a record as the highest-rated debut for a JTBC drama. Simultaneously aired on Netflix, the drama consistently ranked among the top shows on the platform, even reaching the number one spot for multiple weeks.

The drama garnered popularity not only domestically but also internationally, securing the top spot on the Japanese Netflix ranking. Han Eun-sung mentioned the positive feedback he received from his close friend, global star Yunho.

​"My cousin in the United States and my acquaintances in Japan reached out to tell me that they enjoyed watching 'Divorce Attorney Shin' on Netflix. Knowing that many people watched the drama motivates me to work even harder. Yunho and I support each other's work and exchange feedback. Despite his busy schedule, Yunho still finds time to watch 'Divorce Attorney Shin' and cheers me on, offering compliments and sharing his opinions. I'm grateful for his continuous support."

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In January 2023, Han Eun-sung announced his new beginning with the agency Aground and a new stage name. "Divorce Attorney Shin" marked the start of his journey as Han Eun-sung. Since the name change, he has encountered promising projects and moved in a positive direction, finding happiness in his career each day.
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"Thank you for enjoying and loving 'Divorce Attorney Shin' so much. In our busy and challenging lives, I hope our drama provided some healing and laughter. Although the show has concluded, it holds a special place in my heart, bringing me comfort. I hope you can revisit it from time to time for a small dose of healing during tough moments. To all my supportive fans, thank you for always being there. I will continue to work hard. Thank you and love you, all!!"

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Interview by Glenda Park, Editor-in-Chief at Avec G.
*This article is simultaneously published in Seoul Wire's 'Glenda Park's Blue Ocean'.

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