"Director Park Noo-ri is really incredibly tenacious. He has a strong mentality and sees things through to the end. I needed that kind of direction, and he was a reliable and fierce partner and director."
"Brother (Jo) Woo-jin prepares for acting in a really fierce and sensitive way, contrary to how he looks. He is a respectable senior and made me feel like 'this is the set'."
Without even asking about the secret to the popularity of the Disney+ original series 'Gangnam B-Side', every word from actor Ji Chang-wook (37) conveyed it. The passion between the actors and the director was palpable even in the interview.
‘Gangnam B-Side’ is currently receiving significant attention both domestically and internationally, ranking number one in the Disney+ TV show category and worldwide. Ji Chang-wook is actively recognized for his acting skills as the lead actor. Among them, Ji Chang-wook cited the passion of his fellow actors and the director as the driving force behind his growth as an actor.
Ji Chang-wook mentioned about director Park Noo-ri, "Before deciding to participate in this project, I asked people around me about the director. The feedback was generally that he is incredibly tenacious and has a strong mentality. Hearing that made me feel good. I thought that a new synergy could be created with such a director."
He continued, "The level of the work is high, and there are many scenes that could be frustrating for a woman. In that regard, I came to trust the director even more. I thought he could express it better." He added, "There were times when I wondered if we had to go this far. There were difficult moments, but I thought that such fierceness was necessary as someone who is part of this. I believe that aspect is essential for a good work."
Ji Chang-wook played the role of 'Yoon Gil-ho', a broker in the entertainment industry, delivering a passionate performance. His glamorous action scenes, based on his looks, shone a light on his acting skills in the heart of the entertainment district in Gangnam, Seoul. Actor Jo Woo-jin, who played the role of detective 'Kang Dong-woo', and actor Kim Hyung-seo (Bibi), who portrayed the ace of the Gangnam entertainment industry, also had a significant impact on Ji Chang-wook.
Ji Chang-wook praised Kim Hyung-seo, saying, "We had great chemistry during 'The Worst Evil', but there was a different charm this time. The things he expresses come across as fresh. I was surprised by his ability to express things that are generally not thought of. I thought he was someone who knows how to calculate to express new things," adding, "He expressed himself with an animalistic sense. Even if he may lack skills or techniques, it doesn't become a disadvantage at all."
Regarding his chemistry with Jo Woo-jin, he said, "He is a sensitive actor and brother who prepares meticulously. Seeing that made me realize that my preparation is not everything. I thought I could persistently dig deeper. He was a respectable senior and a reliable partner. I also worked hard to give him a fresh shock in my acting."
‘Gangnam B-Side’ will say goodbye to viewers with the release of the last two episodes on the 27th. The drama focuses on missing persons and murder cases occurring in the heart of 'Gangnam', the number one place in South Korea, targeting a cartel involving the police.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
