Ji Chang Wook has opened up about his role in Netflix’s The Scandal, his approach to playing Cho Won and the meaning acting holds for him after years in the industry. In a recent interview with ELLE Korea, the actor reflected on the challenges of portraying the Joseon-era playboy and the importance of collaboration on set.
Based on the 2003 film Untold Scandal, The Scandal follows Lady Cho, played by Son Ye Jin, and Cho Won, played by Ji Chang Wook, as their dangerous wager draws Hui Yeon, played by Nana, into a complicated game of love and deception.
Ji Chang Wook Talks About Playing Cho Won
While developing Cho Won, Ji Chang Wook said he avoided deliberately exaggerating the character’s playboy qualities. Instead, he wanted them to appear naturally through Cho Won’s attitude and actions. The actor described Cho Won as a complex and challenging character because his real feelings remain difficult to understand until the end.
He also said he had many conversations with director Jung Ji Woo while working to bring the role to life. When asked how much of himself appears in the character, Ji Chang Wook acknowledged that some part of his own personality inevitably enters his performances.
The Scandal’s Tense Scenes With Son Ye Jin
Ji Chang Wook also discussed working with Son Ye Jin in the scenes between Cho Won and Lady Cho. He described their encounters as packed with tension and said both actors invested heavily in rehearsals. Their relationship is central to the drama’s premise, as Lady Cho’s bold proposal sets the story’s dangerous game into motion.
The tension between the two characters also gives Ji Chang Wook an opportunity to portray Cho Won through subtle reactions rather than simply leaning into his reputation as a womanizer. The actor said he hopes viewers can feel the intensity that the cast and crew worked to build into those encounters.
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Ji Chang Wook Explains What Acting Means To Him
Reflecting on his career, Ji Chang Wook admitted that defining acting has become increasingly difficult. Rather than viewing it as something accomplished by an actor alone, he emphasized the support of directors and crew members working across cinematography, lighting, costumes, makeup and the look of each scene.
He explained that actors cannot become completely different people simply by changing genres. For him, an important part of the craft is learning how to use the contributions of the people around him. Ji Chang Wook added that his greatest excitement comes when he communicates well with his colleagues and the team successfully creates a scene that makes everyone happy.
Ji Chang Wook Looks Ahead After The Scandal
The actor also opened up about his life away from work, describing his daily routine as repetitive and sometimes uninteresting. Despite that, he said the career he chose remains incredibly enjoyable and that he wants to continue moving steadily toward the standards he has set for himself.
His comments come as The Scandal introduces him in a role that marks another addition to the varied genres he has explored throughout his career. The drama also stars Son Ye Jin and Nana and is based on the 2003 film Untold Scandal.
Final Take
Ji Chang Wook’s latest interview offers insight into the thought behind Cho Won and his wider approach to acting. From developing the character naturally to relying on collaboration, the actor says the creative process becomes most rewarding when the entire team connects through a scene.
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