[The interview was held in the week starting April 7th. ]

I've heard you've been filming overnight recently?

Yes. Actually, it's the day I'm moving house. I came straight here after visiting it.

Apparently you ordered some jjajangmyeon (noodles with black bean sauce). Do you live alone?

(laughs) Since I've moved house, of course I need to have some jjajangmyeon. I live with my mother. Even though we live under one roof, it's been a while since I've seen her face to face.

It's been a long time since we last saw you with a short haircut. It feels really fresh. 

Yesterday, I filmed a promotional teaser with Ji-won noona for our drama (pretty sure he means Northcape). Because we always see each other wearing Han clothing, it felt awkward at first [filming like this]. I actually want to try leaving my hair that long, but because of my gender, it seems impossible. If I decide to cut, I'll probably cut it really short. When I was filming for Warrior Baek Dong-soo (WBDS), I also had long hair, but it was tied back in a ponytail, so was much more comfortable. 

But whichever way you look at it, an Emperor must be better than a warrior. 

Indeed! I don't need to know any martial arts. It was really tiring in WBDS. I don't think I'll be filming anything like that in the near future. 

Empress Ki (EK) has a lot of scenes that require strong emotions. The more you watch, the more complex Tahwan's character becomes. 

TH does have a lot of emotional scenes, so it's quite exhausting. These days he (TH) is always vexed, and has become very sensitive. Even though it appears he's become stronger, TH's actually become weaker, and more lonely. 

These emotional scenes are like opportunities that let others recognise you as a true actor. Once you finish a strongly emotional scene, are you able to quickly pull yourself out of it?

I can immediately switch back to myself. There are also many actors that can't do it at once.

In the most recent batch of sageuks, TH's attire has been the most diverse. There's this new nickname of "The Emperor: Pioneer of Fashion". 

TH is an Emperor afterall - so the costumes are really magnificent. The most common colours are gold and purple. Changing costumes are also part of the experience. Although the costumes are really heavy, I've gotten used to them now. Although when I have to film for long periods of time wearing the official robes and headdress, it becomes really heavy, and my shoulders become sore.

The 51 episode drama is going to end soon. There's only 6 episodes left - everyone is curious about the ending.

51 episodes is quite long. We started last autumn - autumn passed, winter passed, and now it's spring. I don't know the ending either. I don't think the scriptwriters have a set ending in mind. Not long ago, they even asked me for a suitable ending to the drama.

So the scriptwriters are quite curious about what ending TH wants. What did you say?

I don't really contribute any opinions to the story.

Why?

I'm the type that follows the script. Because the script is written by the writers, I just need to wait for the script. Although I do get curious as to how the drama unfolds. I just received the script for the next episode, and am planning on reading it as soon as I get home.

It's your first time collaborating with actress Ha Ji-won, who plays Seung-nyang. How do you feel about it?

Ji-won noona is really honest. Working on set is really tiring, but she hardly cares for sleep, and is really earnest about her work. No matter how tired she is, she always has a smile on her face. I've learnt a lot from her. I'm also her hoobae from university. 

Through SNS, it seems you two have really similar personalities. So you two are also alumni of the same university. 

We became much closer through the filming of Empress Ki. It's the filming of a drama that led to this friendship. I've also become really close with Jo Jae-yun, who plays Golta, so we're much more in sync when acting. If I do any impromptu actions, Jae-yun hyung can react accordingly. 

If you were watching EK at home, would a scenario such as your father saying "Dong-soo from WBDS has appeared" or your mother saying "Dong-hae from Smile, Dong-hae has appeared" happen? The two characters are quite popular. How do you feel about others calling you by your character's name?

There were actually a lot of instances where I got called my character's name. Especially the elderly. Because I don't go on variety shows often, so when a drama is airing, there aren't many people that call me by my name. However, because I'm always filming dramas, I've gotten used to being called my character's name. It lightens the atmosphere, and is very interesting.

What is "Empress Ki" the drama to actor Ji Chang-wook?

It's will be a very memorable drama, because my character has changed a lot throughout. Previously, TH was very childish and weak - currently, he's half crazy. When I think back to the TH of earlier episodes, I'd be thinking "Ah, so that was how it was." These memories will be even more profound. 

Once EK finishes, you'll probably be resting before heading to your movie set. What do you feel like doing?

I want to have some spare time. Even though filming for a scene finishes, I have to wait for the next episode's script, read, prepare and head off to the next filming destination, so there's barely any free time. It would be best if I could go travelling. That's how I like to rest.

Why do you like that?

Actors usually yearn for the same sort of liberties. Everyone wants to rest a bit after the end of one project. However, if the next project doesn't come up, it's true that they'll feel restless again. Hence, resting as well as waiting for your next project would be best.

I feel you're someone who prefers a stable life?

(laughs) I do need to make a living to keep myself comfortable. 

There aren't many actors who can come and go between dramas and movies freely. Which industry do you prefer?

Anything acting is interesting. In reality, the schedule for filming a drama is really tight. However, it airs every week, which makes it more interesting. 

Do you often watch your own dramas? Some actors say they definitely will not watch their own dramas.

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. 

How do you feel after watching it?

Dissatisfied. (laughs)

Why?

Other actors will probably have the same reaction as me. Because I'm the one acting it, of course I'll always be dissatisfied with the performances I present.

Is there anything terrible about it? Or is it the "I can do better" mentality?

A bit of both. I've seen some sections that require improvement on my part. I often think to myself "I could've done better" when filming for the day finishes. When I finish filming that scene and am eating, it often comes to mind. It's probably because of greed on the part of the actor though. When I watch it later, sometimes I feel like I need to re-edit it.

What was the hardest scene you had to film?

All the scenes were equally tiring. Filming the earlier episodes, when TH had been banished to Goryeo made the biggest impressions on me - the time period when TH was weak and useless. Because there were many humorous scenes, I was always happy after filming ended. The set isn't always as enjoyable though. Even though I'm doing what I like, sometimes I'll be extremely tired, and hope to return home as soon as possible. However, I feel that being able to enjoy acting in the moment is also a form of happiness that I treasure.

Your next project also has a historical setting. You're a main lead for director Kang Woo-suk's new movie "Two Constables". How's the movie going?

I haven't started filming yet. It's probably going to start in June. The script is very interesting. The director and Sol Kyung-gu sunbae are famous people in their respective industries, and I'm looking forward to working with them.

Don't you want to act in a moden drama?

Of course I do. When I'm filming a sageuk, I want to participate in a modern drama. When I film my moden dramas, I'm itching to get back to sageuks. 

You have the same number of sageuks and modern dramas under your belt. Is there anything that attracts you to sageuks?

Relationship between the characters are quite tangled. Sageuks are also fantasy dramas to a certain degree. An example would be in modern times, if you kill someone, it's a big issue. In sageuks, if two people are fighting and someone orders you to kill the opponent, you can't refuse. These fantasy-like elements are very interesting. What we're presenting through acting in sageuks is also knowledge to the general public, but we have enough space for imagination to infuse characters with our own understanding. Through EK, I'm acting with the question "are all Emperors so dignified and selfless?" I don't think that's always the case, and that's the suspense I'm creating with Tahwan. 

Having such good ratings surely affects the atmosphere on set?

Even though ratings aren't everything, but they will affect the atmosphere on set slightly. No matter if it's criticisms or praises, with so many people watching our drama, it serves as our driving force. When I was filming a cable drama, some ratings surpassed 1%. If we use that as a basis, EK's ratings are quite good. Although a lot of friends that haven't seen me in awhile will ask me what I'm currently doing.

Because audiences only remember good projects.

Whatever I do, I always think of the times when no one knew who I was. At the time, who was I performing for? Was it just for self-fulfilment? Or purely for the money? I think back to the times when I performed onstage without an audience.

To an actor, are audiences a must?

Of course. Because dramas, movies and theatre plays are all commercial works. However, actors don't act just to earn money. They are trying to convey some sort of message. If there's no one that can appreciate the work, there will be confusion regarding who we are performing for. If it was just for self-fulfillment, I can just go to an acting school.

Even though you've been in this industry for a while, I still feel as if you're a flower boy.

I'm not totally against it. If I'm against that, what else can I do. I just look like this (laughs). Because it doesn't adversely affect my acting abilities, I don't dislike it.

You sometimes also give a "pampered young master" aura.

I'm an only child. Usually, an only child grows up under the nurture and sheltered care of everyone around him. Doesn't our country advocate independence? (laughs) I'm just like that. I'm not pampered, but I did grow up under good care.

What kind of a student were you at school?

Ordinary. I attended a boys-only school throughout my education, and wasn't very popular, so I didn't have any friends outside of school.

What was the first movie/drama you saw?

From my memory, the first drama I saw during childhood was Donnie Yen's Fist of Fury. I was really addicted back then. In reality, I didn't become an actor because I saw some film which made a big impression on me, nor was it because I idolised an actor.

Then what made you step into the acting industry?

I just felt that people who were in this industry seemed like they really enjoyed it, and made everything seem so easy. During high school, I didn't have any career aspirations. Actors lived under the spotlight, made quite a lot of money and acting didn't seem terribly hard either, which was why I wanted to be an actor.

How do you feel now then?

I only found out it was the exact opposite when I started acting. I originally thought acting just came naturally. So when I first entered university, I thought all I had to do was drink wine, play and date girls. In reality, life in university was much harder than high school.

Are you referring to the education? Or the discipline?

There was also a lot of learning to be done. I was also affected by the stern discipline. When I first entered, I was scared of my sunbaes, and didn't dare to even glance at them, but some of my sunbaes took really good care of me. The morning started at 6-7am, even earlier than high school. It got better after a year of restlessness. 

Did you ever think about when you would stop being restless?

Previously I only remained at university. It was when I went to film my first movie, passed the auditions and performed my musicals that I realised my acting wasn't great at all, and realised that learning was really important, which was why I returned to school. If you want to act well, you must attend school.

It's like that now as well.

Which is why I struggled a lot, and thought about it a lot. I always think about what I should do to show a new side of my acting, but it's really enjoyable too. It's not just self-enjoyment either. Acting with my fellow actors is really enjoyable, especially if we're in sync with each other.

You're 28 (Korean) now. You're at a time period where you can try different types of characters.

Even though it's a good age with regards to acting, but it's also the age where I have to go to military service. (laughs) Even though it's not set, I'll be in the military in 1-2 years. I don't really mind, but the people around me always ask, "What's going to happen? You're going to go to military service!"

When you enter the military, you won't be able to do the acting you love so much. Would you be allowed to film promotional teasers while in the army?

I don't think that way. In the army, I want to try and live like a true soldier does. I'm currently living as an actor, so if I have to live as an actor while in the army, it wouldn't be interesting. Once I enter the military, I want to have some fun with new friends. Of course, if they're younger than me and too hyper, I'll feel quite awkward.

It probably won't be as tough as university.

Everyone says that. My sunbaes say if you work hard now, you'll feel much more relaxed in the military. When guys are younger, they dread the mandatory military service so much that they don't even want it to appear in their dreams, but as you grow older, you're more mature and react to the issue appropriately. 

We should meet again before you enter the military (the reporter's male).

Sure. Maybe I could do an army photoshoot (laughs).

What are you looking forward to in the future?

I'm really curious as to what I'll be like in the future. What kind of an actor I'd be like, what kind of person I'd be during middle age, and who I would marry. I'm really interested in how my future life will turn out. People will change accordingly to the hardships and successes they face.

Are there any values you wouldn't like to see changed?

I want an ordinary life. Even though in other people's eyes, actors are extraordinary, they go through their lives like normal people too. I'm not a secretive person, and wouldn't drown myself in clothes to avoid paparazzi. My manager's (high school friend) life doesn't spin around me either. I occasionally drink when I meet up with friends, and will sometimes go to clubs. Just some time before, we went to Dankook's training theatre and slept there after drinking. The next morning we got woken up and kicked out because they had class.

I feel you really treasure, and want to protect your values.

I'm always working hard for an ordinary life. I want to know what everyone else is feeling that enables them to undergo their daily lives - it would help me understand how viewers relate to my acting. For this, I need to have a full grasp on my character and immerse myself in it.

It seems that even though you have a special and attractive career, you also wish for an ordinary life.

I feel I'm still the person I was before. I was the same when I met my university friends a short while ago. Even though TV stations will broadcast my dramas, schedules are so filled that I can't meet them, I'm still myself. To my friends, I'm still like how I was when I was 20 years old. If I meet my friends again after a couple of years, I'll probably still be interacting with them like how I did it back when I was 20. 

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Read the original article here:

https://www.style.co.kr/magazine/view.asp?menu_id=01020403&c_idx=012201010000227

Kor-Chi translations credit Baidu

Source: JCW soompi