"It's not 'Wind 2'" Jung Woo takes on director's role... pouring his heart into 'Jjanggu' [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Jung Woo shared his own story through the film 'Jjanggu', in which he served as writer, director, and lead actor.

'Jjanggu' is a lively and passionate drama about 'Jjanggu' (played by Jung Woo), an audition genius who keeps standing up despite repeated setbacks, driven solely by his dream of becoming an actor. Jung Woo personally wrote the screenplay, co-directed, and starred in the film, infusing the work with exceptional sincerity.

'Jjanggu' returns to the screen for the first time in 16 years since 'Wind', focusing on the final years of the protagonist's 20s and continuing the growth narrative of a single character.

Regarding the origin of 'Jjanggu', Jung Woo stated, "I wrote the original concept for 'Wind', and I thought, 'What if we tell the next story?' After setting it aside for a while, we began production recently and developed it into a screenplay, revising the script about six or seven times."

He then expressed his gratitude to his wife and 'Jjanggu' planner, Kim Yu-mi. He revealed, "I showed her my performance, saying I would express my feelings to her (Kim) Yu-mi this way, and she found it so funny. That became the starting point."

He continued, "Although she is credited as a planner, I am grateful for her abilities that go beyond those of a creator. Since I wrote the screenplay, directed, and starred in the film, it would not have been easy for me to speak up if we were going down the wrong path on set."

He added, "Yu-mi studied acting more systematically than I did. As a former trainee and a senior actress, she provided significant help in many areas. I thought I was acting based on what I believed was the right answer, but Yu-mi offered an objective perspective and helped guide the direction. I am truly grateful for that."

Jung Woo explained the reason he decided to direct 'Jjanggu'. He said, "Initially, the production company Fan Entertainment proposed the project, but I declined due to the feeling that it was outside my area of expertise and the burden it carried. However, as I transferred the characters, settings, and atmosphere from my mind onto paper, I realized I knew them best. That part fell within the realm of directing, so I took on the role."

Jung Woo, who claimed he had no ambition to direct, said, "Actually, I thought directing a short film might help my acting career. I didn't have much curiosity, but I feel it was fate that led me to this project."

Regarding his impressions of directing, he remarked, "I think that by jumping over the hurdles right in front of me, I will eventually cross the big mountains. If I had thought about filming from the start, I wouldn't have dared to try. But by creating the screenplay, explaining each scene to the key staff, and working on storyboards, I proceeded step by step."

He also expressed his gratitude to co-director Oh Seong-ho. Jung Woo explained, "He was my greatest source of strength. Without him, I wouldn't have dared to take on this project. I relied on him for more than 80% of the film. Since I also had to act, I think Director Oh handled the detailed aspects."

This film gains further significance as it originates from Jung Woo's own real-life experiences. Countless audition failures, the bleak times in Seoul, and moments of perseverance through love with friends served as the starting point of the story.

Regarding the screenplay work, Jung Woo revealed, "I struggled with whether to depict my truly difficult and dark days as an unknown actor in a gloomy manner or to present them in a lively and comedic way, and I chose the latter."

He continued, "I recalled Charlie Chaplin's words, 'From a distance, it's a comedy; up close, it's a tragedy.' At that time, I was walking through a difficult, painful, and dark tunnel, but I thought someone might have seen my situation as ridiculous."

He added, "When I delivered heavily overacted performances, viewers might have found them ridiculous. However, from the middle of the film onward, I hoped that by immersing myself more deeply in Jjanggu, my sincerity would be conveyed naturally."

'Jjanggu' is sometimes referred to as the sequel to the unofficial million-viewer film 'Wind'. However, Jung Woo drew a clear line, stating, "It is not 'Wind 2'." He further explained, "I think people think that way because the character Jjanggu has appeared, but it is merely a continuation of the previous work, not a series. I see it as having a different tone."

He also added, "I have considered the story that follows, but my hope is that this work will be successful. Depending on the results, there is a possibility of a 'Jjanggu 2'."

He also stated that he focused more on the process than on box office expectations. He said, "How valuable and happy the process was was more important. Right now, my feeling of gratitude is greater than my feeling of happiness. I think that is the most important point."

He continued, "I believe the outcome of the box office ultimately depends on the audience. I am grateful for this process itself. I want to enjoy the work. It's not always possible for everything to go well. There were times when it went well, like the 'Reply' series, and there were times when the results were disappointing as a film."

Finally, he emphasized, "I made this to offer comfort and empathy to the youth who have gone through this period. I want to conclude this work as a meaningful journey with those who have been with me from the beginning to the end."

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*This content was translated by AI.