Actress Go Youn Jung captivated audiences with her artistic skills and heartfelt story on the April 30, 2025, episode of tvN’s You Quiz on the Block (Episode 291), revealing her journey from art student to rising star while surprising hosts Yoo Jae Suk and Jo Se Ho with her drawings.
From Art Student to Actress
Go Youn Jung, born on April 22, 1996, in Seoul, South Korea, began her creative journey as an art student. She graduated from Seoul Arts High School, a prestigious institution for young artists, and later enrolled at Seoul Women’s University in 2015 to study modern art. Her path to acting was unexpected. During her university years, a friend from the photography department encouraged her to apply for UNIV20, a magazine.
“I asked if just anyone could apply, and surprisingly, I got in,” she shared on the show.
Her work with the magazine caught attention. Casting inquiries soon reached her through her department office. Initially, she wasn’t interested and even asked the office not to share her contact details. However, one persistent caller was the CEO of MAA Entertainment, her current agency.
“He told me not to say I couldn’t do it before trying. So I thought, why not? I took a break from school and started taking acting classes,” she explained.
This leap of faith marked the start of her acting career, leading to her debut in the 2019 drama He Is Psychometric.
Showcasing Artistic Skills
During the episode, Go Youn Jung shared her artwork, which left the hosts and audience in awe. One piece, a hyper-realistic drawing of a foot, stunned Yoo Jae Suk.
“I thought it was a photograph,” he remarked, amazed by its detail.
She explained that the drawing was based on a reference photo, showcasing her technical skill. Another highlight was a detailed portrait of actor Timothée Chalamet, which further impressed both hosts and viewers for its precision and artistry.
The mood lightened when Go Youn Jung was asked to draw quick sketches of Yoo Jae Suk and Jo Se Ho on the spot. Despite the short time, her drawings captured the hosts’ likenesses with a warm, playful style. Yoo Jae Suk noted the contrast between these sketches and her earlier, more detailed works.
“You made us look like babies!” he joked, comparing the sketches to her Timothée Chalamet portrait.
The production team added a humorous caption, confirming that all the drawings were indeed by the same artist, which amused the audience. Her ability to switch between detailed realism and quick, charming sketches highlighted her versatility.
A Glimpse into Her Personality
Go Youn Jung’s appearance revealed her down-to-earth nature, which has endeared her to fans. Yoo Jae Suk introduced her warmly, noting her gentle presence.
“The name which gently seeped into our lives like the warm spring sunlight, now blossomed into a wise actor. Please welcome, Go Youn Jung,” he said.
She greeted the hosts with ease, showing her comfort in the spotlight despite it being her first time on the show. Her candid storytelling, from her art school days to her unexpected entry into acting, resonated with viewers. Posts on X praised her generosity and relatability.
“Go Youn Jung is such a sweetheart. From this it appears to me that her talent is matched only by her generosity, attentiveness, and down-to-earth nature,” wrote a user.
Connection to Resident Playbook
Go Youn Jung is currently starring as Oh Yi Young in Resident Playbook, a spin-off of the hit drama Hospital Playlist. The series, which premiered on April 12, 2025, follows the lives of residents at the Jongro branch of Yulje Medical Center. Her role as a first-year OB/GYN resident has earned global praise, with the show topping charts in countries like Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand, and ranking in the top 10 in 44 countries by April 16, 2025, according to FlixPatrol.
On the show, she shared her excitement about joining the drama, likening the script to entering a superhero universe.
“I felt like entering the Marvel worldview after receiving the script for the first time,” she said, describing her character’s journey.
She also humorously noted similarities between herself and her character, who often says “I’m sorry” as a newcomer, reflecting her own experiences in her sixth year as an actress.
Support from Director Shin Won Ho
Adding to the episode’s highlights, Shin Won Ho, the creator of Resident Playbook, made a surprise appearance to support Go Youn Jung. He praised her natural talent and unique charm.
“Her strengths are extraordinary. She has so many natural gifts—not just her looks. Her best asset is actually her expressionless face. For an actor, maintaining a completely neutral expression is extremely difficult, but she pulls it off,” he said.
His endorsement underscored why she was the unanimous choice for the role of Oh Yi Young, highlighting her emotional depth and diligence.
A Memorable Episode
The episode, titled “Go Youn Jung, an unmatched beauty with the easygoing charm of a grade-schooler(?) within her, has blossomed into a wise actress,” captured her multifaceted appeal. Her artwork, especially the portraits of Yoo Jae Suk and Jo Se Ho, became a talking point, with fans on X celebrating her skills.
“Younjung drawing people’s portraits and it’s being broadcasted on TV soon! Seeing how she’s so comfortable being interviewed now, means she has gone a long way! I’m so proud,” a fan posted.
The episode also featured other guests, including Professor Chung Chung-ki, a sinkhole expert, Moon Woo-jin, a young actor, and Lim Jung-yeol, an engineer, but Go Youn Jung’s segment stood out for its blend of talent and relatability.
Career Highlights
Since her debut, Go Youn Jung has built an impressive resume. She gained recognition for her role in Sweet Home (2020) and starred in dramas like Law School (2021), Alchemy of Souls (2022–2023), Moving (2023), and Death’s Game (2023–2024). Her film debut came in 2022 with Hunt, directed by Lee Jung-jae.
Her role in Moving earned her the Best New Actress Award at the 2023 Asia Contents Awards and the 3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards. She has also been a brand ambassador for Boucheron since 2021 and the muse for Marithé et François Girbaud since 2022.
Current Updates
As of May 1, 2025, Go Youn Jung continues to shine in Resident Playbook, with the drama maintaining strong global viewership. Her You Quiz on the Block appearance has further boosted her popularity, with fans eagerly awaiting her next projects. Her ability to balance acting and art, as shown on the show, has solidified her as a versatile talent in the entertainment industry.
Also Read: Go Youn-jung and Yoo Yeon-seok Spark Buzz After Dining Together Amid Resident Playbook Promotions
CREDITS: tvN
