[Ji Chang-wook I Saw] Eyes Still Sparkling with 'Newness'
Played the role of Joseon's top playboy, Jo Won, in 'Scandal'"A project that allowed me to experience a different way of working"Actor Ji Chang-wook recently met with
at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to discuss the Netflix original series 'Scandal.' /NetflixWhat does an unrefined star look like? The entertainment industry is full of stars who receive public attention, and there are many media outlets that follow them. Even when interviews are scheduled, it's rare to have one-on-one meetings. With multiple reporters interviewing at once, the content tends to be similar. In fact, it's common for agencies to create and distribute photos and videos themselves. Even in this reality, conveys the reporter's genuine impressions without any processing. [THE FACT|Reporter Choi Soo-bin] Despite having worked on numerous projects and characters, actor Ji Chang-wook's eyes still sparkled. Having mastered various genres from action to romance, noir, and historical dramas, he has become a "trustworthy actor," but instead of relying on familiarity, he has set out to find something new. He says, "Acting is still fun," and naturally, one can feel the force that has made him who he is today.Actor Ji Chang-wook recently held an interview at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, with to commemorate the release of the Netflix original series 'Scandal' (written by Lee Seung-young&Ahn Hye-song, directed by Jung Ji-woo). Playing the role of Jo Won, he shared various stories related to the project.Ji Chang-wook has accumulated enough experience that he no longer needs to strive to prove himself. He has become known as an actor who doesn't hold back physically in action scenes, an actor who can evoke excitement in romance, and an actor who can embody the right persona for heavy genre pieces, naturally earning the title of a "trustworthy actor."However, Ji Chang-wook did not want to rely on his familiar image. Rather than boasting about what he has already done well, he showed more interest in what he hasn't done yet and wondered what new things he could try in his next project, rather than being satisfied with his current position. Despite having worked on numerous projects over a long period, he still says acting is "fun" and his eyes sparkled as he expressed his desire to "do more."Ji Chang-wook's filmography also reflects this mindset. Even after making a strong impression in works like 'Healer,' he did not remain confined to a single image. In 'Suspicious Partner,' 'Lovestruck in the City,' and 'Welcome to Samdal-ri,' he delivered romance and excitement, while in 'The Worst of Evil,' he portrayed a desperate noir, and in 'The Woman Who Plays with Fire,' he tackled a historical drama. He knew what he was good at but did not consider it the only correct path.In 'Scandal,' Ji Chang-wook led the drama as Jo Won, Joseon's top playboy. /NetflixOf course, choosing new things is not always enjoyable. It carries a higher risk of failure than re-demonstrating what one does well, and it requires taking on new challenges with unfamiliar characters and genres each time. Ji Chang-wook also admits that he gets tired because he doesn't have many days off. Nevertheless, the reason he doesn't stop is surprisingly simple: acting is still too much fun.Ji Chang-wook, whom met recently, exuded that very sentiment. Rather than making grand resolutions like wanting to become an "irreplaceable actor" or "showing a new side," he expressed a desire to try again if he encounters an interesting project. It's natural to think that this simple yet difficult-to-maintain passion is the greatest force that has shaped Ji Chang-wook into who he is today.In that sense, the Netflix original series 'Scandal' is a project that quite well represents the current Ji Chang-wook. Ji Chang-wook, who could have easily succeeded with his familiar approach, made another unfamiliar choice. The story revolves around Lady Jo (Son Ye-jin), who possesses exceptional talent but is confined to living as a Joseon woman, and Jo Won (Ji Chang-wook), Joseon's top lover, and their audacious and dangerous love bet, along with the story of Hee-yeon (Nana), who gets entangled in the bet. The 8-part series was released in its entirety on Netflix on the 18th.'Scandal' is based on the French novel 'Les Liaisons dangereuses' and was also adapted into the 2003 film 'Scandal – The Untold Story of the Joseon Dynasty.' Re-visiting a story already familiar to many was not an easy choice for the actor."Given that it was made into a film well-known in Korea, it's impossible not to feel some pressure when working on a project with such an original source. Since it's based on a classic, it also required courage. However, I wanted to try playing this character at least once. I think I determined that it was definitely a role worth challenging. While there was pressure, I started with the courage that we could create a new work."Ji Chang-wook played Jo Won, Joseon's top playboy. He is the son of a prestigious family but pursues immediate pleasure and fun over career advancement. In reality, he harbors an unfulfilled thirst because he cannot win the heart of the woman he desires most, and he secretly enters a bet to win Lady Jo's heart.Ji Chang-wook, playing Jo Won, received critical acclaim for portraying the complex emotional range from his obsession with what he cannot have to his free-spirited nature. /NetflixAlthough the character is difficult to explain, Ji Chang-wook was drawn to that very aspect. He recalled, "I think the character itself was complex, which made it interesting," and "I felt a desire to properly express these difficult emotions."Especially since actor Bae Yong-joon received great acclaim for playing Jo Won in the previous film, Ji Chang-wook must have had many concerns about playing the same character. Ji Chang-wook explained, "Since our project is a series, the character's narrative has been expanded a bit more," adding, "It was interesting because we could delve deeper into the changes in relationships and the character's narrative.""The process of finding the unknown emotions that Jo Won possesses was a unique experience. I couldn't find a definitive answer as to what exactly those emotions were, but I took many takes, trying it this way and that way. I think I kept trying to express it in a wavering and unknown form."Even the process of not finding an answer was a new source of enjoyment for Ji Chang-wook. He revealed, "I used to think that an actor needed to know clearly while acting, but this time it was a slightly different working method," adding, "At first, it was confusing and difficult, but it was fun. It was novel and enjoyable when I encountered expressions or ways of acting that I didn't even know I had.""We filmed the first reunion scene with Lady Jo on the first day of shooting. I was very curious as to why they chose to film such a difficult scene when the actor wasn't even warmed up. But I think the director wanted to capture new aspects that emerge from unfamiliarity. The subtle, new breathing within the scene felt truly different and fresh."Since his debut in the 2008 independent film 'Sleeping Beauty,' Ji Chang-wook has consistently expanded the boundaries of genres and roles through numerous projects such as 'Son of Sol Pharmacy,' 'Empress Ki,' 'Healer,' 'Suspicious Partner,' 'Lovestruck in the City,' 'The Worst of Evil,' 'Welcome to Samdal-ri,' 'The Woman Who Plays with Fire,' and 'Sculpture City.' Even for him, who has undergone numerous transformations, 'Scandal' was a 'newness' and a 'challenge.'Ji Chang-wook (right) said, "I don't have many days off, so I get tired sometimes, but acting is still fun." /NetflixJi Chang-wook said, "I actually worry in every project, 'Why does everything I say sound cliché, and why do my actions always seem like things I've done before?'" He added, "While working on 'Scandal,' the director and I had many conversations to establish our own working method.""After seeing the final product, I texted the director to say 'Thank you.' I felt like I was watching the director's 'Scandal' rather than the Jo Won I created, which was very interesting. I am truly grateful for the unique working method I experienced, for seeing a new side of myself, and for being able to see director Jung Ji-woo's 'Scandal.'"'Scandal' was a new challenge for Ji Chang-wook in many ways. While there are mixed reviews among viewers regarding the project, there were also evaluations that discovered a new side to Ji Chang-wook. However, he himself does not solely pursue good reviews. Ji Chang-wook said, "If I had only wanted to receive praise, I don't think I would have been able to act," surprising many."You can't live solely on good feedback (laughs). There are times when something I've worked hard on is ignored, and times when it's applauded, and this will continue to repeat. I think that's the specialty of this profession, and sometimes it's fun. Because you can hear feedback like, 'This is not good because of this.' Of course, I'm practicing self-control, but that doesn't mean I don't get hurt when I receive criticism. That's why I have an important principle of not getting too happy about praise and not getting discouraged by any criticism or blame."Perhaps because of this, throughout the interview, Ji Chang-wook appeared more like someone curious about what he could do next, rather than someone who would dwell on explaining his past. Although he has already mastered various genres from action to romance, Ji Chang-wook still seemed to be searching for 'something new.' And every time he talked about it, his eyes sparkled with both excitement and anticipation."Lately, I don't have many days off, so I get tired sometimes. But it's still fun. I find the work itself very enjoyable, and I also think about wanting to do more. I don't know what I'll be doing next year, but I don't want to force myself. I don't know how much more I will love acting in the future, but if I encounter a project that makes me tremble, I think I'll work hard again (laughs)."subin7134@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]
