SEOUL: For a 30-something South Korean actor, few have sampled as many genres as Ji Chang-wook, whose resume spans morning daily soaps, musicals, action-crime tentpoles and even international projects, including Chinese dramas.
Since making his debut in a 2008 independent film, Ji has steadily built a career defined by range.
The Korea Herald reported yesterday that his latest project is the crime series The Manipulated, where he stars opposite actor and K-pop idol Do Kyung-soo.
Looking ahead, Ji is set for a major push in cross-border storytelling.
His upcoming slate includes Disney+’s first South Korea-Japan romantic comedy, Merry Berry Love, and two K-drama rom-coms: Netflix’s Scandal and Human X Gumiho.
“I feel like this is a time in my life when I actually want to work more. I feel like I’m capable of doing more than what I want to do, and I want to show more,” he said.
“Acting is acting, of course, but I feel like we’ve entered a time when everything outside of acting has become even more important.
“Direction, cinematography, art, props, makeup, costumes – all of these elements collectively shape who I am on the screen. In that sense, that whole process is the real work.
“So I’m constantly thinking about how not to repeat the same things and trying to find new approaches,” he said.
Ji added that The Manipulated demanded more action from him than any previous title.
“Starting from the first episode, there were motorcycle scenes, and once my character goes into prison, he keeps getting beaten up – it was nonstop action.
“After he gets out, there were also lots of car-chase sequences,” he said.
“I think I always have the same thoughts whenever I do action projects. I constantly think, ‘I really don’t want to do action anymore,’ because it’s so physically demanding.
“Honestly, while filming The Manipulated, I thought, ‘Maybe this will be my last action project.’ I’m getting older, and there are moments when I can’t perform the way I want to, no matter how determined I feel,” he said.
Ji says he’s ready to widen his horizons.
“To be honest, I want to try any project that seems fun.
“As a Korean actor, I can’t help but think about how I can maintain a longer career.
“In the past, Korean dramas becoming successful overseas naturally led to actors gaining international recognition and love from global fans and viewers,” he said.
“But these days, I’ve started to think that going abroad and working on projects directly could be another great way to grow. And after actually trying it, I’ve realised it’s even more fun.”
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
