The JTBC Friday-Saturday drama My Youth (Korean title: “마이 유스”) first aired on the 5th. The series portrays Seon Woo-hae (Song Joong-ki), who begins living an ordinary life later than others, and Seong Je-yeon (Chun Woo-hee), who faces the collapse of her first love. Alongside the main storyline, actress Lee Joo-myung has drawn notable attention for her role as Mo Tae-rin.
Mo Tae-rin, played by Lee Joo-myung, is introduced as a former child star who was once loved nationwide together with Sun Woo-hae. She grew up being called the “nation’s siblings.” Even now, as an adult, she faces frustration with the heavy label of being a “former child actor.” Critics have said the actress has added believability to this rarely seen type of character.
Despite her tall figure, glamorous looks, and chic aura, Mo Tae-rin doesn’t remain in a one-dimensional cold image. She’s described by Seong Je-yeon with the line, “How can I not smile when I look at you? Unless I lose my mind.” This line highlights her mix of dog-like friendliness and cat-like charm.
Her love line with Kim Seok-ju (Seo Ji-hoon), a tax accountant and son of Feel Entertainment CEO Kim Pil-doo (Jin Kyung), brings a different energy to the drama. She shows unfiltered honesty with him, even revealing her unusual hobby: blowing soap bubbles “instead of smoking when I want a cigarette.” When Kim Seok-ju admits he enjoys the same, she responds directly—“When are you free next? I’d like to do it together for a day.”
Mo Tae-rin also doesn’t hesitate to confront others. To Seong Je-yeon, who denies her own feelings, she bluntly remarks: “You’re so conventional. It’s fine if his personality is good and your tastes roughly align.” Lee Joo-myung delivers these sharp lines with a clear voice and light tone, reinforcing her image as an unapologetic character.
The actress has gradually expanded her career. Since her 2016 debut in a music video, she’s appeared in dramas like My Fellow Citizens!, Missing: The Other Side, Kairos, Check Out the Event, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, and Family: The Unbreakable Bond. Last year, she impressed viewers with a realistic Busan dialect in Like Flowers in Sand.
She later made her film debut in Pilot, which recorded 4.71 million viewers. Her role as pilot Yun Seul Gi earned praise for an emotional performance. Through My Youth, she further strengthens her acting range—establishing her position as one of the rising actresses to watch.
