"Doctor Cha" is once-in-a-lifetime role for actor Uhm Jung-hwa

Even for an actor, singer and entertainer with over 30 years of industry experience, a role comes along that completely changes her outlook on the profession and on life – such was Uhm Jung-hwa’s case with the drama “Doctor Cha.” The JTBC drama...

Actor and singer Uhm Jung-hwa [SARAM ENTERTAINMENT]

Even for an actor, singer and entertainer with over 30 years of industry experience, a role comes along that completely changes her outlook on the profession and on life – such was Uhm Jung-hwa’s case with the drama “Doctor Cha.”

“Doctor Cha,” a JTBC series that blends medical drama with family soap opera and one woman’s quest to find her true self, wrapped up its 16-episode run this week with an 18.5 percent record nationwide rating for the finale. “Doctor Cha” centers on Uhm's Cha Jeong-suk, a housewife who returns to her medical career after a 20-year hiatus.

Uhm Jung-hwa plays Cha Jeong-suk, a housewife who returns to her medical career after a 20-year hiatus, in the JTBC drama series ″Doctor Cha″ [JTBC]

While Uhm has built up an impressive acting and singing career, starring in hit films and dramas such as “Marriage Is a Crazy Thing” (2002), “Dancing Queen” (2012), “Tidal Wave” (2009) and “Our Blues” (2022), “Doctor Cha” marks her first medial drama and also one of Uhm’s most successful appearances in a series in recent years.

“Playing Jeong-suk in ‘Doctor Cha’ has been a completely new experience for me,” said Uhm, during a group interview with local reporters in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Thursday. “I have always wanted to try medical dramas but did not have the chance until now.”

The role of Jeong-suk has changed the actor’s outlook on life, making Uhm reflect on what is really important for us as we age.

Main poster for ″Doctor Cha″ [JTBC]

“My character Jeong-suk in the drama finally starts making her own decisions as an individual after surviving a crisis, and as I played and watched her going through emotional turmoil and other personal issues I started contemplating what it is to age, what it is like to be treated as worthless after we age and what self-love is,” said Uhm. “It was very cathartic to play this character who finds her own path. Some of the scenes and lines I had to deliver on this theme rang especially true with me because they address this matter of aging and still finding what we love and our own self-worth.”

Uhm also hopes that her character of Cha Jeong-suk will bring the same change on outlook and goals to the audience – that no matter how old you are and how small you may perceive yourself, there is still room for self-worth.

A scene from the JTBC drama ″Doctor Cha″ [JTBC]

“I hope people’s self-love and their passions never die away,” said Uhm. “We should all reflect on ourselves, take care of ourselves and do what we can to find our own happiness individually.”

Having turned 53 this year, Uhm reflected on how in her thirties, some in the entertainment industry considered her to be too old for certain roles and performing in general, but this perception has changed.

“The industry is changing and is starting to embrace different ages, and now performers and actors in their thirties are not considered old at all,” said Uhm. “I am glad that change is happening. And back when I started, it was unusual to kick off a career as both a singer and as an actor. But now I see more of my younger colleagues going down that route. I think that’s a good challenge to take on.”

Actor and singer Uhm Jung-hwa [SARAM ENTERTAINMENT]

Singing is also still a big part of Uhm’s identity and her career. She is currently also starring in the reality television show “Dancing Queens on the Road” with fellow singers Kim Wan-sun, Lee Hyo-ri, BoA and Hwasa – the show follows the five women as they tour the country performing and meeting with fans.

“I think the ‘Dancing Queens on the Road’ shows gave me some much-needed time and the opportunity to get back onstage as a singer,” said Uhm. “I also hope that singing my older songs in front of new and younger audiences will allow me to reach more people and new fans.”

At the end of the day, the key is to keep trying and keep taking on new challenges, in whatever career path or industry one is in, according to Uhm.

“Continuously trying new things, as well as taking on unfamiliar and new roles, has kept me going and enabled me to come across a role like Cha Jeong-suk,” she said. “Once-in-a-lifetime chances like these come along only when you go out looking for them.”

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]