Actor So Ji-sub, known for 'Sogangji', has proven his 'coolness' once again as he returns to the noir action series <Gwangjang> after 13 years. In the Netflix series <Gwangjang>, So Ji-sub plays the role of Nam Gi-jun, who returns to a dark and ruthless world for revenge. His restrained emotional performance is inscrutable, yet it exudes a heavy presence and charisma. His action, which never retreats but only moves forward, vividly reveals the energy of So Ji-sub's action style. We met to discuss the work, the character, and activities beyond acting.
After 13 years, you returned to the noir action genre with <Gwangjang>. What made you decide to participate in this project?
First of all, I really like the noir genre. And these days, scripts in this genre are quite rare. There aren't many available. As far as I know, this was the first one offered to me, so I am very grateful.
Is there another reason besides the genre that made you want to do this project?
To be honest, I wanted to do something I’m good at after a long time. Not so much that I’m good at it, but something that suits me.
It seems important to follow Gi-jun's emotional line in <Gwangjang>. Should we see his relentless forward movement as solely driven by revenge?
Of course, at the starting point, revenge is the energy, but after killing Gu Jun-mo (Gong Myung) in episode 4, I think Gi-jun realizes that to truly end everything, he must die himself rather than just eliminate all the related people. He seems to have a desire to end it himself. So, in the middle, when Gi-jun goes to the shrine and says to his brother, "See you soon," it means that if he waits, he will also go. It’s like a ritual of atonement. And from Gi-jun's perspective, living anymore seems meaningless.
When you received the offer to appear, how familiar were you with the webtoon?
Initially, I received the script without knowing there was a webtoon. Later, I heard it was the top priority, and when I read the webtoon, I found it very interesting. Now that our work has been released, I’ve realized that there are a lot of people who really love the webtoon. I only found that out now! Because when we were filming, I didn’t know. But there are so many fans. I was really surprised. (laughs)
In fact, original fans often feel disappointed when many settings from the webtoon are changed or removed. What do you think about the reactions from original fans?
I think this is about my third or fourth project based on original work. Such discussions have always existed. But the important thing is that when you buy a webtoon and invest a lot of production costs, you don’t make it to just replicate the original. In a way, you want to create a work that surpasses the original. Therefore, when the final product comes out, it’s not something you can control if there are mixed reactions.
Then, what would you say are the strengths unique to the series <Gwangjang>?
The charms of the two are very different. In terms of the series <Gwangjang>, it seems to have a bit more narrative, and the energy of the straightforward action and the energy it emits seems different from the original. Since I received a script that was already adapted, I acted with an understanding of that worldview.
So Ji-sub is also famous for being different before and after payment. It seems you have dieted again this time; was losing weight difficult for you?
When I don’t have work, I tend to gain weight. There’s definitely a difference before and after payment. (laughs) After deciding on the project, I lost a lot of weight. I lost 19kg. And as we progressed, I wanted to give a more intense and desperate feeling, so I lost a bit more weight.
Many viewers are calling it the 'Korean version of John Wick'. Did you use it as a reference during production, and what do you think about this reaction?
Honestly, just being compared to <John Wick> is something to be grateful for. That’s how I feel. It’s really interesting to hear such comments that I never imagined while making it, and I’m just thankful.
Nam Gi-jun is a character with a severed Achilles heel. The action that minimizes movement stands out, and I’m curious about how Gi-jun's handicap influenced the action design.
First of all, there is a handicap. So when designing Gi-jun's action, I made it so that he can move forward and stop, but not retreat. Also, when I walk, it’s not that I run towards them; rather, the other actors come towards me. I had to do action scenes with one against many, so I chose spaces that were as narrow as possible.
Gi-jun is a character who doesn’t express emotions much, but I think his emotions were expressed differently in each action scene. For instance, when he has to kill an old colleague versus when he kills other characters, Gi-jun's emotions seem different. How did you approach emotional expression in those moments?
I think I kept developing it while filming. As you mentioned, since they are obstacles in my path, I had to decide whether to punish them or completely exact revenge. When killing a colleague, I think I tried to give a bit more emotion. If I didn’t, it would feel like just a challenge.
What was the most challenging action scene for you?
The ant nest action scene in episode 4(According to the director, the scene where Nam Gi-jun goes to kill Gu Jun-mo in episode 4 was referred to as the ant nest scene on set) was particularly difficult. I’ve done a fair amount of action, but I think it was the hardest action scene I’ve ever done.
Even until recently, <Sorry, I Love You> (2004) has been receiving good responses. How do you feel when you see such reactions?
I feel really good. Personally, I’m very curious about what my friends feel when they watch the drama. I wonder if the emotions from back then resonate with them. It’s quite fascinating, but I told them not to follow it. It would be a big problem. They could get caught if they do it wrong. (laughs) You shouldn’t follow old dramas.
So Ji-sub, you are also involved in film imports. You have brought in successful films like <Midsommar> and <Substance>, but you are also bringing in art films rather than blockbusters for profit. How do you choose such good works?
My hands are not very good at this. The representative of the distribution company 'Challan' brings in the films for release. In the past, when I went to film festivals, they would tell me, "There are these kinds of films, and those kinds of films," but these days, I trust them, so when they choose, I just support them from behind.
But don’t you decide together after watching them?
Not anymore. Now I trust them 100%. They have better judgment than I do, so I shouldn’t trust my own judgment. The film industry is very tough, so it’s a bit cautious to talk about this. And while it’s a bit burdensome that my name keeps coming up, on the other hand, if my name brings even one or two more people to the theater, I’m grateful for that. That’s what I want to do.
There’s a lot of content introducing ‘So Ji-sub’s picks’ on social media. Have you seen any of it?
Of course. I come across articles and people around me tell me about it. If that brings even one or two more people to the theater, I’m very grateful.
You might be interested in investing in and producing diversity films or low-budget films in Korea. Do you have any such plans?
I have various plans, but I can’t talk about them yet. However, to be honest, I want to go to the market as a producer, not as an actor. I have a desire to make choices on-site.
There’s a phenomenon where the diversity of Korean films is decreasing. Do you feel a sense of crisis or regret as an actor?
That’s not just a problem for Korea. It’s difficult for films worldwide. I can’t change anything by myself, nor can I present anything. I just go to the theater a lot. I often say that we should watch movies that have been released in theaters, and that seems to be the best I can do.
You mentioned that you chose this project because you wanted to do something that suits you after a long time. Have you fulfilled all your desires for the action you wanted to do?
I want to continue doing action in the future. I want to do it even as I get older. Noir is just a genre I really want to do. The energy that comes from action where bodies collide seems to make my heart race.
Then, what are your top noir works?
First, there’s <The Godfather> (1972), but that’s too classic. I also really like the performances of the actors in <Peaky Blinders> (2013~), and I tend to seek out and watch such works.
You have a lot of interests and activities in various fields, and you used to be active as a rapper. Are you planning to return to music?
If the opportunity arises, I might do it again. Recently, I performed together in Japan and Taiwan. However, I don’t usually perform unless it’s a space where I can meet fans. I want to share new songs when I have the opportunity to meet fans, so if there are more opportunities, I might make an album again.
Recently, actor Cha Hak-yeon mentioned in an interview that "So Ji-sub always calls to encourage me after the first episode of my work ends," expressing his respect. As a member of 'So-ok-cha' (So Ji-sub, Ok Taek-yeon, Cha Hak-yeon), do you have any words for the members? Their works were released around the same time, right? (So Ji-sub's <Gwangjang> on June 6, Ok Taek-yeon's <The Night of the Male Lead> on June 11, and Cha Hak-yeon's <Lawyer Noh Mu-jin> started airing on May 28)
I hope we don’t talk about So-ok-cha anymore. (laughs) Just kidding. It’s great to see each other more often because our activities overlap. I always support them; they are both really good people. I just hope they continue to do well as they have been.
While preparing for this project, I’m curious about what your wife said and how she supported you.
She said she enjoyed it, but she also acknowledged the hard work I put in. During filming, she didn’t give specific advice like this or that… (laughs) It’s a bit cautious to talk about my wife. I feel very happy!
On Netflix's YouTube, you also talked about your wife, and the term 'lovey-dovey' has come up a lot. What do you think about the label 'lovey-dovey'?
I’m grateful. I said, "Getting married is good," and it turned out that way. When asked if I’m satisfied with being married, I said I am and that it’s really good, but suddenly I became lovey-dovey, which is really nice. Phew, it’s the hardest part. (sweating) (laughs)
But it’s been quite a while since you got married, so when such discussions come up, do you still feel shy and cautious?
In the end, it’s something that my partner has to talk about, so it’s very cautious. Right now, she’s living a non-celebrity life. So I think it’s a bit more careful. She needs to live her own life, but if she keeps getting mentioned, it can be a bit much.
After filming, it became a hot topic that you gave each staff member a gold coin.
I think it’s an issue because it’s gold. I’ve consistently done this since becoming the lead. I gave them a lot as a meaning of having worked hard together, but this time it became more of an issue because it was gold.
Giving gold to the staff and your efforts in film imports give a sense of spending money in a cool way. You’ve also done charitable activities, and it doesn’t seem like you’re spending money for personal gain. In that perspective, how do you want to spend money in the future?
As you mentioned, I want to spend money in a cool way. And I hope more people will spend money in a cool way. It’s okay to show off a bit. I hope they spend it in various places. And I hope to encourage that kind of spending.
Wanting to spend money in a cool way seems to come from the effort to be a good person and a good actor.
But I’m not doing it to look cool. As I get older, I want to be a good person. I believe that if I become a good person, good energy will spread. I need to work harder, but I want to be a good person so that when people see me act, they feel positive energy, regardless of the role. So I want to be a good person, a decent person.
This year marks your 30th anniversary since your debut. What do you think is the driving force or secret behind being able to continue for such a long time?
I think I use as much energy as possible to recover my body after a project ends. But even now, I often wonder, 'Why am I still acting?' There are many aspects that don’t match my personality. But when I ask myself, I can’t answer. Yet, I’m still doing it. It’s so fascinating. It’s hard, but I’m looking forward to the next project and acting. There’s also a satisfaction that comes after. So, while it gets harder, I feel there’s something in acting that keeps me going. It’s not easy, but I want to keep doing it… It’s hard to express. I think the difficulty is about 49%, and the desire to act is about 51%.
Reporter Choo Young, Cineplay
