Actor says, ‘I used to be shocked by how previous I seemed’
By KTimes
Actor Jang Dong-gun, 52, revealed that he was shocked when he noticed himself on the monitor whereas filming “A Regular Household,” considering, “Do I actually look this previous?” however quickly put aside his issues and totally embraced the position.
In a current interview in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Jang mentioned “A Regular Household,” a movie that follows 4 people, every dwelling by their very own beliefs, whose lives start to unravel after they witness a criminal offense involving youngsters on CCTV.
Jang performs Jae-gyu, an ethical and caring pediatrician. He’s dedicated to saving lives and holds agency values associated to his occupation. Someday, he’s confronted with surprising CCTV footage displaying his personal little one concerned in a criminal offense.
Identified for his roles in “Arthdal Chronicles,” “Sword of Aramun,” and “Rampant,” Jang returns to trendy drama with “A Regular Household.”
“I’ve typically performed particular or fantasy characters — killers, zombies, and the like. After I first learn the script, I believed, ‘I’ve by no means performed something like this earlier than,’” he mentioned.
Taking up practical character
He additionally expressed a want to tackle a extra practical character, saying, “I actually understood who Jae-gyu is. I felt that I may draw from inside myself for this position, relatively than pulling a personality from outdoors. That made studying the script thrilling.”
Nonetheless, he admitted to having issues.
“I mentioned with the director whether or not this movie would possibly depict youngsters too negatively,” Jang mentioned. “The kids within the movie are fantasy-like characters born from the mother and father’ worst fears. Though we generally hear about these sorts of tales within the information, I don’t assume these characters symbolize youngsters as an entire.”
He added, “I nonetheless bear in mind how I felt when my little one began kindergarten. I frightened, ‘What if one thing unhealthy occurs once they’re on their very own?’ Regardless that it’s unlikely, these fears are one thing mother and father create of their minds.”
Jang’s collaboration with the solid enriched the movie. He has recognized Sul Kyung-gu for a very long time, and mentioned, “I first bought to know him via his movies, and once we met in particular person, he turned out to be a sort and mild man, regardless of his tough on-screen persona. I’ve all the time wished to work with him.” Jang additionally praised Su’s improvisational expertise, saying, “I believed, ‘You possibly can method conditions like this in such a versatile means.’ He has nice expertise.”
Feeling extra comfy with pure self
Jang additionally mentioned that he learns so much from working with youthful actors.
“I’m not probably the most assured particular person. After I work with junior actors, I fear, ‘What if I embarrass myself?’ ‘I’ve to do effectively,’ ‘I must set a superb instance as a senior actor,’” he mentioned. “Generally I’m amazed by their performances. They’re actually good, and I’ve a lot to be taught from them. I don’t take juniors calmly. We’re all colleagues, and we rely on one another. If I face challenges, I additionally seek the advice of with them.”
Jang found new features of himself whereas filming “A Regular Household.” “I used to be a bit shocked once I noticed the monitor after the primary shoot. I believed, ‘Do I actually look this previous?’ In my earlier roles, I wore heavy make-up, however this time I appeared as my pure self on display screen,” he mentioned. “Nevertheless it additionally made me really feel extra comfy. I believed, ‘Now I don’t must examine the monitor anymore,’” he added with fun.
The movie additionally gave him an opportunity to replicate on himself. “I puzzled, ‘Have I ever thought this deeply about myself earlier than?’ I’ve all the time been good at making selections within the second, however I’ve by no means been in a state of affairs just like the one within the movie. For the primary time, I imagined it, and I wasn’t assured that I’d all the time make the proper selections,” Jang mentioned.
His introspection turned embedded within the movie, contributing to the high-quality manufacturing that “A Regular Household” has change into. “A Regular Household” will premieres on Nov. 16.
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Occasions, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Occasions.