Actor Han Ji-hyun capped a brilliant performance with a fully satisfying happy ending.
Han Ji-hyun played Nana Atelier designer Song Ha-young in the recently concluded MBC Friday-Saturday drama In Your Radiant Season (abbreviated as "ChanneoGye"), winning viewers' love with a variety of charms that drew fans in. Han Ji-hyun's keen fashion sense and styling ability perfectly synchronized with the designer character Ha-young.
In the final episode of In Your Radiant Season, which aired on the 3rd, Ha-young faced the crisis of being stranded on the road in heavy snow in Gangwon Province while heading to visit a new materials factory. At the moment Ha-young was distraught, she met Yeon Tae-seok (played by Kwon Hyuk), who rushed to save her, confirmed their feelings for each other, and the scene showed her accepting his confession. At the end of the episode, Han Ji-hyun's face before Tae-seok, as if she could not hide either excitement or love, and Ha-young happily leaving for a date conveyed his joyful feelings and hinted that a happy future awaits.
Han Ji-hyun has brought bright energy to the drama every episode with her honest, bold charm and overflowing loveliness, demonstrating a distinctive presence. In particular, Han Ji-hyun's meticulous emotional performance, convincingly portraying Ha-young's process of realizing love—from excitement to hesitation, disappointment and certainty—was praised for greatly enhancing the drama's completeness.
The following is the full Q&A with Han Ji-hyun.
Q. How do you feel about the series ending?
A. I sincerely thank the viewers who watched In Your Radiant Season. From autumn through the cold winter, these days I suddenly feel spring has come when I see flowers blooming along the roadside. Moments when you feel the start of a season in small changes seem wonderfully surprising. I hope this time remains a warm and radiant memory for everyone.
Q. What did you pay particular attention to while preparing to play Song Ha-young?
A. Since they are male and female twins, I wondered, "What would it feel like to live as an older sister and a younger sister?" So I listened a lot to people around me who have older sisters and tried to use that as reference, and when dealing with Ha-dam I naturally approached it with a "feeling of looking at a cute baby." I especially felt that sister relationships might be emotionally more dependent than sibling relationships, and I hoped those aspects would be well reflected in the acting.
Also, I wanted to portray Ha-young as a character who felt a sense of responsibility, like "I have to be okay" and "I must step up first." Ha-young also leads the atmosphere at home, so I tried to make her seem approachable to anyone and someone who makes others feel at ease when together.
Q. What did you want to show through Song Ha-young?
A. I wanted to convey bright, lively energy through Ha-young. I hoped there would be moments of refreshment through the character Ha-young. Also, even though she is clumsy at expressing her feelings while having an unrequited love, I wanted her efforts to come across as endearing as she does her best to confront it. I hoped she would be remembered as a character who is not perfect but therefore more relatable.
Q. What was the atmosphere on set and are there any memorable episodes?
A. The atmosphere on set was really good. Filming was always full of laughter, whether at the office or at home. Seniors especially made the atmosphere comfortable, so I could act more freely, and I received a lot of encouragement like "Ha-young delivers lines in a fun way. I'm always curious how she'll act," which allowed me to try various approaches.
There are two memorable episodes. After fighting with Haran unni and Ha-dam, there was a scene where we screamed by the river, and it was so cold that all three of our bangs stood up like parrots—that memory still stands out. Also, there was a time in the hospital when Yu-gyeom screamed loudly and I was genuinely startled; that reaction was captured on the monitor. That day we laughed so much that filming became difficult because it was so fun.
Q. Is there a scene or line that stands out most to you?
A. The scene where she confesses to Director Yeon comes to mind first. It felt more meaningful because Ha-young, torn between wanting to clarify the relationship and the growing feelings, finally mustered the courage. It remains memorable because it was a scene where Ha-young did not run away but made a big decision herself.
Also, the scene after the confession where she is left alone and cries was impressive. I thought it was the moment when Ha-young, who had been pretending to be okay and taking care of others first, finally revealed her true feelings when she was alone.
Scenes in which Ha-young honestly faces her emotions are particularly memorable. While acting, I thought, "This must have been a huge act of courage for Ha-young," which made me feel more affectionate toward her.
Q. Did you feel any changes or realizations through this work?
A. Each line and scene in the drama felt like advice handed down by an adult, and it became an opportunity to reflect on myself. I received a lot of comfort. I think it will remain a precious work that allowed me to grow as an actor and as a person.
Q. How will Ha-young's life continue after the finale? If you could say one thing to Ha-young?
A. At the end there was a scene where Ha-young accepts the confession, so I think she is probably having a sweet romance with Director Yeon. And rather than always just enduring like before, I think she will live a life where she expresses herself honestly when things are hard and takes better care of herself. She is probably spending more comfortable and warm time with her family, too.
I want to tell Ha-young, "Ha-young, you did well to confess. The more I see you, the more you are someone who can only be loved!"
Q. How do you hope viewers will remember this work?
A. I hope In Your Radiant Season is remembered as a warm rest, a work that allows people to take a breath amid busy daily life. And I hope it remains a small comfort and source of empathy for those going through their own seasons.
Q. Is there an image you want to show going forward?
A. I want to challenge more diverse genres and roles going forward. I definitely want to try new genres like historical drama, action and thriller. Also, beyond my roles as an actor, I hope to show a more natural and relaxed side of Han Ji-hyun.
Q. Please give your final greetings.
It's already April 2026. Stay healthy, and I hope the rest of the year is full of good things. Just as you support me, I will always support you. Thank you.
[Photo] Provided by Chorokbaem Entertainment.
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