Chae Jong-hyeop Garners Acclaim in Japanese Drama

Rising star Chae Jong-hyeop is making waves in Japan, following a successful fan meeting and a standout performance in a local drama.

The actor is captivating audiences as Nishigami in ABEMA's original Japanese series 'The Rules of Vacation,' which debuted on the 27th of last month.

In this production, Chae portrays Nishigami, the enigmatic caretaker of the Tatsumi villa area. This marks his second Japanese project since his breakout role in the 2024 TBS drama 'Eye Love You.'

While Nishigami initially appears as a simple villa caretaker, the revelation of his true identity as a 'grim reaper' adds a thrilling twist to the plot. Chae brings depth to the character through his nuanced performance, employing restrained expressions, piercing gazes, and carefully modulated vocal and physical mannerisms.

Recent episodes showcase Nishigami's subtle infiltration into the group led by Midori (Hashimoto Kanna), who faces imminent peril from a landslide. Chae masterfully balances the character's conflicting emotions, portraying both a faint smile at humanity's hope and the inner turmoil of his grim duty.

Off-screen, Chae's popularity in Japan continues to soar. His fan meetings, titled '2026 Chae Jong-hyeop Fan Meeting In JAPAN THE WAY for US,' held in Tokyo and Osaka this May and August, were resounding successes.

'The Rules of Vacation' airs on ABEMA every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 PM JST, with global distribution on Netflix every Friday.

At 33, Chae Jong-hyeop has quickly become a familiar face in Asian entertainment since his 2016 web drama debut. His impressive resume includes standout roles in 'Stove League,' 'Nevertheless,' 'Shooting Star,' 'Diva of the Desert Island,' 'Eye Love You,' 'Love All Play,' and 'Unlock My Boss.'