Some summers stay with you for years. B1A4’s Jin Young says filming Summer Vacation felt like that, and the way he talks about the drama makes it sound less like a job and more like a memory he wants to revisit.
With the teen romance premiering on October 26, he has shared what drew him to the role, how he built his character, and what it was like working opposite Cho Yi Hyun. Here is what he revealed.
Summer Vacation : Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Premiere | October 26 |
| Genre | Teen romance |
| Female lead | Cho Yi Hyun as Kim Ha Yeon |
| Male lead | Jin Young (B1A4) as Jo Yu Gyeom |
| Key supporting role | Hong Ye Ji as Sung Sae Ryung |
| Core story | An ordinary student has a mysterious summer experience before returning to reality |
The Story: A Strange Summer, Then Real Life
Kim Ha Yeon is an ordinary high school student who has a mysterious experience during her summer vacation before returning to reality. Jo Yu Gyeom is a boy her age, the son of the landowner of Upo Village and the eldest grandson of the head family.
He has striking looks and exceptional swimming talent, but his daily life is dull and bound by old-fashioned rules. Fans of B1A4 can learn more about the group on Wikipedia.
Why Jin Young Said Yes?
Jin Young says that reading the script felt like looking back at memories of midsummer. It was not simply bright and pretty, either. He connected with the idea of characters carrying their own worries and wounds who meet, then change, which echoed experiences from his own life.
Playing Jo Yu Gyeom: Small Details, Big Change
A Character Who Feels Stifled
Jin Young describes Yu Gyeom as someone whose life looks special from the outside while he feels bored and trapped inside it. What fascinated him most is the moment this character starts looking forward to tomorrow for the first time after meeting Ha Yeon.
Acting Through Stillness
To show that listlessness, Jin Young kept his expressions and gestures minimal at the start. He relied on small details such as his gaze, how quickly he responds, and his lack of interest in anything around him. His hope is that viewers notice the subtle shifts in Yu Gyeom’s eyes and reactions as he changes.
The Swimming Surprise
Here is the fun part: Jin Young admits he is not a strong swimmer in real life. He worked to feel more comfortable in the water, because swimming for Yu Gyeom is an escape from his stifling reality, and he wanted him to look freer underwater. After the long hours in the pool, he jokes that he feels he has done all the swimming he will ever need.
For more drama previews and cast interviews, browse our K-drama coverage on Technosports.
Chemistry With Cho Yi Hyun
According to Jin Young, Ha Yeon is the person who makes Yu Gyeom curious about tomorrow for the first time. He praised Cho Yi Hyun for capturing Ha Yeon’s bright, honest charm so well that he could follow the feelings of attraction naturally as Yu Gyeom. He also thanked her for her portrayal.
The Love Triangle With Sung Sae Ryung
Yu Gyeom and Sae Ryung (Hong Ye Ji) have known each other for a long time, but their bond is tangled with guilt, fear and responsibility. Jin Young says he tried to balance two sides of the character:
| With Whom | The Version of Yu Gyeom |
|---|---|
| Sung Sae Ryung | Familiar, tense and burdened |
| Kim Ha Yeon | Livelier, in a way he doesn’t even notice |
That contrast is likely to be the emotional heart of the triangle.
What Jin Young Hopes Viewers Take Away?
Looking back, Jin Young says the atmosphere, scenery and feeling on set remain vivid even after time has passed. Just as this summer is one of a kind for Yu Gyeom, he expects it to be a cherished memory for himself. He hopes audiences will watch young people with their own worries and wounds meet at the height of summer and change, and that the drama will stay in viewers’ minds over the years.
Why Summer Vacation Is Worth Your Watchlis?
- A character-first story: The focus is on inner change, not just romance.
- A sincere lead performance: Jin Young’s small-gesture approach promises a subtle portrayal.
- A layered triangle: Guilt and responsibility add depth beyond a simple rivalry.
- Atmospheric setting: A village summer is a good backdrop for nostalgic storytelling.
Check our latest entertainment news and what to watch this week for more picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When does Summer Vacation premiere?
Summer Vacation premieres on October 26.
Q2. Who does Jin Young play in Summer Vacation?
He plays Jo Yu Gyeom, a swimming-talented boy from a landowning family who starts looking forward to tomorrow after meeting Kim Ha Yeon, played by Cho Yi Hyun.
