Welcome to another edition of our Acting-dol of the week series. In this article, we aim to spotlight many of the talented idols who are also plying their trade as actors, thrilling the hearts of fans with not just their music but also their versatile and impressive acting skills as well.

This week, we look towards GOT7's JinYoung, an acting-dol whose meteoric rise is not solely based on the popularity of his renowned group alone but majorly based on his immense and outstanding talents that continue to stun, delight, and inspire many.

When an opportunity comes knocking... 

Like many acting-dols, JinYoung started his career playing the supporting role in a drama. Notably, JinYoung made his debut first as an actor before he debuted as a singer with his group GOT7. In 2012, he made his acting debut in the series "Dream High 2". A sequel to the hit series "Dream High" that starred Kim SooHyun, Suzy, and 2PM's OK TaecYeon.

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Following the impressive success of the first season, which also saw many of its cast, gain incredible popularity as well, many were quite intrigued to see what the second installment of the series would be like and particularly how these fresh new faces would carry on from their predecessors. The response of the series, in comparison to the first season, was not as great because while many found it somewhat enjoyable, some weren't too pleased with the script nor the acting of the cast which fell a bit flat in many scenes. However, considering that it stars some very youthful cast, some of whom were picking a script for the first time and others who simply lacked experience, it was quite understandable that their delivery would not be as clean-cut or stellar as many would expect.

While "Dream High 2" received a mixed review from viewers, it still recorded a good amount of viewership ratings as many tuned in to see the budding relationship between their favorite teen stars and how they strive to achieve their dreams. For JinYoung, his expressive acting caught the eye of many. Playing the role of Jung UiBong, a charismatic, charming, and strong-willed character who also tries to achieve his dreams of becoming a music star, JinYoung might have not been the main lead or had many scenes in the series, but in major moments, his acting was what really carried those scenes.

KBS 2

Even at that age, he showed an emotional depth with the delivery of his character, which made many not just see and perhaps understand Jung UiBong but also want to keep a keen eye, watching the kind of actor that JinYoung would be. Looking at his performance in this series, we can say that this drama was the right key that would open doors of opportunities for him and land him various impressive roles in the future.

His acting debut would also spur his musical career as that same year, he made his debut with fellow GOT7 member Jay B in the group JJ Project. 2013 would see him return to the drama scene starring alongside Jay B in the MBC melodrama drama "When a Man Falls In Love". Though yet again he plays a supporting role in the drama, his scenes served as one of the key points for the drama.

His character as DdolYi is the quintessential Cinderella story, the kind of character we can all easily root for. Despite his sad and difficult experiences, he still had a bright and optimistic view of life. Luck will eventually find his talent and hard work when he makes his debut in the drama with the group "Double J".

In our opinion, despite having no prior acting experience, a young JinYoung took a great chance with the opportunities he was presented and showed he truly was a budding talent, one who had the right charms that make for a bonafide superstar.

And a superstar is what he would eventually become following his debut with GOT7. Continuing on his path towards stardom, or rather, towards the growth and blossoming of his talents, 2015 would see him return back to TV dramas, in the melodrama "My Love EunDong". This time alone, he plays the 17-year-old version of the main lead, Ji EunHo, a top actor with a cold exterior who is feared by many and regarded as irritable. He however holds a deep concern as through the help of a Ghostwriter, he seeks to find his first love again.

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In a flashback sequence, we get to see what Ji EunHo (or then Park HyunSoo) was like through JinYoung. His character started off as a carefree and stubborn but smart and dutiful high school student who begins to understand the value of life when he meets EunDong. With his acting, JinYoung plays on the emotive spectrum, beautifully portraying various emotions, from joy to love, and even anger. From the subtlest actions to the most expressive, he is able to make viewers connect with Park HyunSoo, the rebellious teen who tries to understand the meaning of love, and also serves as a bridge that makes us understand Ji EunHo, the top actor who would do anything to find his one true love again.

His stirring expressions with his acting has always caught the attention of many since his debut in the drama "Dream High" and even though he might have not understood the dynamics of being an actor then, with this drama, he felt he was on the right track and was finally understanding the emotional depth that is needed to bring a character to life.

In an interview with "CINE21", he revealed that prior to this drama, he hadn't really given much thought to acting and it was while working on this drama that he thought acting was fun. Judging by how passionately and enthusiastically he delivered his roles in both "Dream High 2" and "When a Man Falls In Love" one would assume that he had been more interested in acting and perhaps was also one of those idols who actually trained to become an actor before choosing the idol world.

However, the assumption would be wrong as in the same interview he noted that prior to filming "Dream High 2" he had only taken acting classes once and it felt like he was having fun with his older brothers and sisters.  This revelation sorts of fans our sentiments that JinYoung be it by design or chance was destined to become a TV star.

The meteoric rise to stardom begins

2016 was perhaps the year when many really took notice of JinYoung's expressive acting ability as he played yet another supporting role in the hit drama series "The Legend of The Blue Sea", starring alongside top Hallyu actors Lee MinHo and Jun JiHyun. We can rightly say that while many tuned in to watch these two superstars, JinYoung was perhaps a surprise gift to them as well.

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A scene stealer, he yet again might have had a few little scenes in this drama but his impact was duly felt and garnered him tons of popularity and admiration from viewers of the series. With many viewers expressively complimenting his acting skills, and his ability to portray the sad and conflicting emotions of a teenager who felt abused and misunderstood. Some even went as far as thinking he had been an actor for years and others gleefully called for him to play the main lead in his next series as his talents deserved more screen time than playing a supporting or cameo role would allow.

Following the success of the series, JinYoung's budding talents will earn him his film debut in the movie "A Stray Goat". A movie that depicts the unrelenting hardships affixed to humanity and a somewhat realistic view of the life of a bullied teen who doesn't get the fairy tale justice or triumph over her bullies or see her story take a positive turn.

The movie, like every other form of art, came with very subjective reactions as many concluded that it aptly fits the reality that most people face and does not give a sugar-coated happy ending that many are used to seeing in other themed dramas and movies. To others, it served as an eye-opener, it was thought-provoking, and delved into the complexities of life, our decisions, and timing. With respect to JinYoung's acting, the term we (and we are sure many others) will use to describe it would be "Beautiful".

He ably plays the character of Jo MinSik, a teenager from a rich family who tries to help YeJoo (played by JiWoo) a fellow classmate who is constantly bullied and abused by others because her father was accused of murder. He sought to help her against her bullies but soon became a victim himself. In a series of events, he is faced with a conflicting situation that sees him making the wrong judgment and leading to what we can assume is a strain of guilt, sadness, and regret.

In 2017, JinYoung would go on to play his first lead role in the JYP Entertainment-produced web drama "School of Magic". Starring alongside fellow label mate 2PM's Nichkhun, and actor Yoon Bak. By 2019, the prayers of every fan would be answered as JinYoung would get his first lead role in the fantasy thriller "He Is Psychometric", starring alongside Kim Kwon and Shin YeEun.

This series no doubt changed assumptions to facts as right from his debut, many had vied for an opportunity for him to fully showcase his acting talents with more screen times, scenes, and a full-fledged storyline, and with this series, he delivered with such precision that made every fan proud.

Playing the role of Lee Ahn, a young man who developed the power of psychometry, an ability to read the mind of anyone he touches and retrieve their memories as well. Even though he tries to keep his powers a secret, he also sought to use them for good, helping the prosecution to solve cases, while also seeking to find out the real truth behind his parents' death and the mysterious apartment fire.

JinYoung's acting was beyond impressive and as the lead, he duly carried the attention of viewers in the direction of the story. Not a moment or scene of fault, "He is Psychometric" joins the list of that one drama that had an incredible cast, gripping storyline, amazing chemistry, shocking twist and turns, a very conclusive ending, and served pure cinematic experience. Thanks to JinYoung and the rest of the cast, this drama remains one of the best fantasy thriller dramas we've seen. And also, made us want to get a red hoodie too. If this series also proved anything, it showed that JinYoung didn't just have the popularity to play a lead role but also, and more importantly, he had the talents as well. 

JinYoung's next big role will come in 2020, with the series "When My Love Blooms". Now at this point, we can aptly say that JinYoung has shown that he can deliver a top-notch performance in melodrama and thrillers, and perhaps, this is one of the reasons why he continues to be cast in this genre. Playing the role of a young Han JaeHyun (played by Yoo JiTae), JinYoung's acting in this drama was of peak-level quality.

Asides from the engrossing storyline that almost pulls you into the screen, with a chance not to miss any single moment, JinYoung also serves as one of the major attractions of this series as well. From the way he flicks his hair, to his eyes, the powerful and captivating stares, and the lingering gazes that exuded so much affection and desire, JinYoung didn't need to speak to tell the story of Han JaeHyun as his expressions alone were more than enough to give us a vivid description of the kind of man Han JaeHyun was in the past and present. Many viewers notably complimented how well he gelled with Yoo JiTae, the actor who plays Han JaeHyun in the present. In an interview, he noted that it was a bit difficult to play the role of Han JaeHyun due to the dignified image of Yoo JiTae (an actor known for his incredible acting skills), and as such, he tried so hard not to make any mistakes on his part and not derail the character's narrative.

It is very evident that JinYoung puts a lot of thought into his character and tries to absorb their essence so as the properly convey their message and stories to viewers. He has steadily done this since he made his debut, and now, it is a key factor that makes his acting very believable and well-received by many viewers. So much so that sometimes, people tend to forget that he is not just an actor but an idol as well.

Amidst his idol activities, JinYoung continues to make strides in his acting career as well. On how he combines both and if he finds time to rest despite his super busy schedule, he noted that he doesn't want to rest but keeps working and seizing every opportunity that comes his way.

A flexible actor with a talent that cannot be boxed 

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Well, opportunities find those who eagerly search for them as by 2021, JinYoung will earn yet another opportunity to play the lead role in the law thriller drama "The Devil Judge". It's all about chemistry and in this subject, JinYoung yet again scored an A+ as his incredible chemistry with costar Ji Sung served as the key factor that made this drama intense, intriguing, and engrossing.

The tension between them was so riveting and visible that with every scene they appeared in, you could probably feel your heart racing with pure excitement and anticipation of how their stories would go. JinYoung rightfully earned praises for a performance that we can only describe as "Sensational". It is not surprising that he delivered an incredible performance, especially following his track record, however, we have to continue to fan to brighter flames our sheer admiration and respect for his consistent delivery of a performance so memorable and noteworthy.

From a riveting thriller drama to a heart-fluttering rom-com the later end of 2021 and the year 2022 saw JinYoung play the much loved and admired role of Yoo Babi in the hit series "Yumi's Cells" and its sequel "Yumi's Cells 2".

BH Entertainment

While he played a supporting role in the first season, his appearance was just enough to strike a positive chord in the heart in the heart of Yumi (played by Kim GoEun) and viewers as well, many of whom patiently but excited waited for the second season of the rom-com drama, for a chance to see the kind of colors JinYoung will show in this genre. And we can rightfully say that his colors were beautiful.

Many might be used to seeing fierce and powerful expressions JinYoung in his previous roles, and even though he still displayed an emotional depth in various scenes as Yoo Babi in this drama, it was also nice to see JinYoung in a soft and warm light. Even though many readers of the webtoon knew that he might not be end-game, many wanted the series to end on a happy note for the couple as their love story was filled with so much passion and desire. Emotions that no doubt were vividly brought to life thanks to the amazing chemistry between JinYoung and Kim GoEun.

With his acting in "Yumi's Cells", JinYoung shook off the "only fit for melodrama and thriller genre" tag as he put on his romance hat and delivered various heart-fluttering and comedic scenes that made everyone want a Yoo Babi in their lives. As we mentioned earlier, JinYoung noticeably immerses himself so well into his roles and tries to understand them well in order to portray them perfectly to viewers. In understanding his characters, he could aptly pick out some similarities or traits which no doubt helps him to achieve his goal of delivering a good acting performance.

In an interview with "Singles Korea", he mentioned that the similarity between Yoo Babi and him was that they were both meticulous and try to do a lot of things well.

The year 2022 was perhaps one of the busiest for JinYoung. With his group GOT7 making a successful comeback following their departure from JYP Entertainment, many were happy to see singer JinYoung make his return to the music scene.

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However, that was not the only treat he had for fans that year, as in respect to acting, after "Yumi's Cells 2" he would go on to star in the spy Netflix original movie "Yaksha: Ruthless Operation" alongside big names like Park HaeSoo, Yang DongGeun, and Song JaeRim. In the movie, he plays the role of Jung Dae, the youngest member of the black team, whose known for his smarts, dry sense of humor, and sharp fighting skills. A movie filled with amazing action sequences, this factor wasn't the only element that made many glued to their sit as its suspense-filled moments, brilliant storyline, and impressive dialogue also served as significant reasons why this movie garnered great success.

JinYoung's official Instagram

That same year, he followed suit with yet another movie, "Christmas Carol". A movie that by its title and release date might seem like a sappy adorable winter romance or family drama that would provide some form of warmth and happiness in the season of winter, however, once you watch the trailer and eventually, the movie itself, you realize it is the clear opposite as it is dark and brooding. The movie tells the story of Joo IlWoo, a man who believes his twin brother's death was not accidental and tries to find his murderer with the only clue being the background voice he heard while on a call with his brother.

The riveting story spotlights many ills in society today, especially towards the poor and disabled. With respect to JinYoung's acting, we join the host of fans who gives him a standing ovation for yet another impressive performance. Even though as fans of JinYoung, you can note that he plays a double role in this movie, it won't be surprising that it might be a sense of shock to new fans that the twins were played by one person. The clear difference in their mental conditions is not the only notable form of distinction for the twins, their personalities, quips, reactions, and expressions were so different and unique. We cannot understand the amount of hard work and training that JinYoung had put in to be able to deliver such an emotional performance, especially when the twins had scenes together, but all we can say is a massive kudos to him and his team for this amazing effort.

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JinYoung wrapped up 2022 with a surprising cameo in the first episode of the hit JTBC series "Reborn Rich". Upon his appearance, we looked forward to seeing what kind of chemistry he would have with Song JoongKi as in the few scenes they had together in the first episode, we were already enthralled by their acting. Sadly, it was just a cameo appearance but one that no doubt many didn't forget.

With a beyond-impressive filmography, JinYoung has clearly earned his rights as one of the most talented acting-dols today. His consistency in his delivery and his visible desire to continue learning and growing has made him the versatile actor he is today. And one who continues to be hungry, hungry to show more, to grow further, become more flexible with his acting and work as much as he can now, with no regrets and just make memories.

One thing about JinYoung is that he continues to strive to learn and grow. And in acknowledging every mark he marks with this goal, he makes sure to constantly show a sense of gratitude towards everyone who in anyways has helped him bring to life the characters he's played so far and also find and understand himself as an actor.

BH Entertainment

With no doubt many more years filled with successful projects ahead, we will be excitedly tuning in to watch him grow further and see what more colors he can show us as an actor.

Singer JinYoung is back with the release of his first mini album "WITH". Check out the music video of his lead single 'Cotton Candy' and other performances below.

Are you a fan of GOT7's JinYoung? Let us know some of your favorite roles he's played so far in the comments section.