Ok Jin-wook debuts as a trot singer, then meets 'True Education' after a period of inactivity... "Lee Chan-won contacted me saying, 'You did great'" [Interview ③]

*This content was translated by AI.

• Interview with actor Ok Jin-wook, who plays Jo In-beom in Netflix's 'True Education'

Actor Ok Jin-wook of 'True Education' announced that he received support from trot singer Lee Chan-won.

On the 24th, StarNews conducted an interview with Ok Jin-wook of the Netflix original series 'True Education' (script by Lee Nam-gyu, directed by Hong Jong-chan) at the company's office in Seoul Jongno-gu.

Released on the 5th, 'True Education' is a series depicting the refreshing and satisfying true education of the National Education Rights Protection Bureau, established to protect the educational rights of teachers and the educational landscape of South Korea, which had collapsed due to students who crossed the line, teachers, and parents. In the series, Ok Jin-wook played Jo In-beom, the top student of the 1st grade in the Automotive Department at Gwoon High Tech High School, appearing in episode 2.

Ok Jin-wook reflected on the circumstances that led him to take his first step into the entertainment industry and his past dream of becoming a musical actor. Dreaming of being a musical actor, he was selected as an acting trainee through a JYP Entertainment public audition after his military discharge. Ok Jin-wook said, "At that time, there were dance, singing, acting, and modeling sections, and I applied as an actor. That's how I became an acting trainee." He added, "Since it was the same path of acting, there wasn't much difference, but the person in charge at the time told me to try out for 'Mr. Trot'."

After appearing on TV Chosun's 'Mr. Trot' in 2020 and subsequently acting as a member of the trot group Five Sheets, he honestly confessed about the worries he had at the time. Ok Jin-wook said, "Honestly, I was scared. At that time, the trot genre was for the elderly. I wanted to be an actor, but trot was different from acting, so I even thought, 'When will I be able to act again?' However, my mother told me, 'Don't worry about useless things without even trying.' So I did it." He expressed gratitude, saying, "If I hadn't gone through this process, it would have taken much longer. I overcame my fear, and now I can receive more attention like this."

He also shared heartwarming anecdotes about his fellow-age singers Hwang Yoon-seong and Lee Chan-won he met on 'Mr. Trot'. Ok Jin-wook said, "I get along well with people born in the Year of the Rat. (Hwang) Yoon-seong lives nearby, so we even run together." He continued, "(Lee) Chan-won is busy and lives far away, but we still meet occasionally. Recently, I received a KakaoTalk message from him. He said, 'You finally did it. You did great.' I felt good. Both of us started by becoming known through 'Mr. Trot' after being ordinary people, but Chan-won has gone higher, while I was stepping forward again as an actor. Chan-won was watching over me, and when he said, 'You did great,' I felt good."

Ok Jin-wook also calmly confessed about his feelings during the 1st year and 4 months of inactivity he had to endure before meeting 'True Education'. He said, "I felt depressed during the inactivity period. I worked part-time at a cafe, exercised, and tried many other things." He added, "Anyway, the anxiety that comes when you're alone seems unavoidable. I was worried because I hadn't been ingrained in people's minds yet, and I felt like I was being forgotten before I could be."

However, he said he was able to overcome his anxiety thanks to the support he received from those around him. Ok Jin-wook said, "The director of my previous work, 'Running Mate,' always cared about me. In particular, he said, 'I cast you after seeing your audition, and you're good at what you do, so don't be anxious.' When an employer tells you that you're doing a good job, it's very helpful."

Now that he has officially started his acting activities, he shared his clear goals and aspirations as an actor. Ok Jin-wook said, "When I was active as a singer, the thing I wanted to hear most was 'You sing well,' but now the thing I want to hear most is 'You act well.'" He added, "I don't have a confirmed next project yet, and there are so many things I want to do. I want to try everything." He also said, "I want to become an actor who people say, 'As expected, he's good,' or 'I must watch when he appears.' My personal goal is to secure another new project this year and work hard. I want to keep working hard with this momentum. I will strive to become a good actor."

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*This content was translated by AI.