The Breakout 'Manager Kim' Joo Sang-wook: "First Villain Role Since Debut, ♥Cha Ye-ryeon Loves It"[Interview ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

• SBS Saturday-Sunday Drama 'Manager Kim': Interview with Actor Joo Sang-wook, who plays Kang-chan Ju

Actor Joo Sang-wook has presented a new face of villainy through 'Manager Kim'.

Recently, Joo Sang-wook held an interview at the HB Entertainment headquarters in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the conclusion of the SBS Saturday-Sunday drama 'Manager Kim' (written by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun).

'Manager Kim' is a father-universe revenge action drama in which an ordinary father becomes the most dangerous man in the world to reclaim his only daughter. According to ratings survey company Nielsen Korea, the final episode aired on the 25th recorded viewership of 23.4% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 23.0% nationwide. Notably, the peak viewership soared to 27.1%, shattering its own previous record.

Joo Sang-wook portrayed Kang-chan Ju, a construction company chairman with a background as a gangster enforcer, delivering a three-dimensional performance that depicted everything from ruthless power dynamics to twisted paternal affection and obsessive madness, leaving a powerful impression. Most notably, this marked his first villain role since his debut in the 1998 KBS drama 'New Generation Report: Adults Don't Know', drawing significant attention.

Regarding his character Kang-chan Ju, Joo Sang-wook stated, "Although I started with the intention of playing a villain, isn't 'Manager Kim' a drama that portrays the paternal love of all fathers? The same applies to Kang-chan Ju. His methods are wrong, but he believes he can do anything for his daughter Hye-ri (played by Yu Ji-an). Of course, in reality, such behavior makes no sense. Even if someone loves their daughter and claims they would do anything for her, I believe that is unacceptable."

When asked about his feelings at revealing a new side of himself after 28 years as an actor, Joo Sang-wook replied, "I feel like this has been another turning point since the 2010 drama 'Giant.' While I don't know what lies ahead, I believe there will be a clear distinction between before and after 'Manager Kim.' As an actor, I used to focus heavily on screen time and positioning in dramas, but now I find myself more concerned with the power of the character itself and how best to express it."

His wife, actress Cha Ye-ryeon, was also a passionate viewer of 'Manager Kim'. Joo Sang-wook joked, "Since the drama is rated for viewers aged 15 and above, our daughter, who is currently in second grade of elementary school, hasn't been able to watch it. Even when she turns 15, I hope she avoids watching it." He then added, "My wife loves it very much. Many people around us have praised it, so it seems well-received. Friday and Saturday, the days 'Manager Kim' airs, are traditionally family and friends gathering to watch dramas together, so its conclusion is somewhat disappointing."

Most memorably, in episode 7 aired on the 17th, Kang-chan Ju (played by Joo Sang-wook) was shown kneeling before Min-ji (played by Seo Su-min) after being counterattacked by Manager Kim (played by So Ji-sub), leaving a deep impression unlike any other scene. Regarding this moment, Joo Sang-wook said, "Since Kang-chan Ju was being beaten one-sidedly, viewers must have felt a sense of satisfaction." He added with a laugh, "In that scene, I had to endure being hit while circling the entire room. We filmed it all day long. I took the hits as hard as possible."

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*This content was translated by AI.