The ‘Nation’s MC’ Yoo Jae Suk and actor Jang Dong Gun. These two are of the same age, and they’re both at the top of their own areas, but there’s another big thing the two have in common. They just won’t let go of those top spots. There’s nothing more to say than that they’re awesome.
Jang rose to the top after he made his debut in 1992, and never stepped down once during the 20 years that followed. His popularity still stands strong, making you wonder whether his long-run doesn’t break any Guinness Book records or something. And now he’s returned again as Kim Jun Sik in director Kang Je Gyu’s latest film, My Way. Enews met with Jang to ask him a few questions.
Jang rose to the top after he made his debut in 1992, and never stepped down once during the 20 years that followed. His popularity still stands strong, making you wonder whether his long-run doesn’t break any Guinness Book records or something. And now he’s returned again as Kim Jun Sik in director Kang Je Gyu’s latest film, My Way. Enews met with Jang to ask him a few questions.
Jang Dong Gun up close
This was the first time I came this close to the man. He’s been beloved all this time as the most handsome man in Korea, but I had doubts on whether he was still the man that the public knew him to be. This question mark changed into an exclamation mark as soon as I met him. He melted hearts with gentle manners befitting his fame, and even when he drank a cup of coffee, it felt like I was watching a coffee commercial.
An actor with no flaws. This was the reason why he was able to claim the top spot for himself for 20 long years.
This was the first time I came this close to the man. He’s been beloved all this time as the most handsome man in Korea, but I had doubts on whether he was still the man that the public knew him to be. This question mark changed into an exclamation mark as soon as I met him. He melted hearts with gentle manners befitting his fame, and even when he drank a cup of coffee, it felt like I was watching a coffee commercial.
An actor with no flaws. This was the reason why he was able to claim the top spot for himself for 20 long years.
War films never again
My Way is a blockbuster that cost up to 28 billion won to produce, and it also brought in big stars from across Asia such as Joe Odagiri and Fan Bing Bing. It’s a film that any actor would want to add to his resume. The appearance of Jang Dong Gun, however, when he said after Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War that he would “never again do war films,” was somewhat unexpected.
“Taegukgi is a film about the Korean War. I thought that a war film of this scale would never again be produced in Korea. There are no other pretexts for it. But then I was handed a scenario for a film on the Second World War (Laugh). Because I really poured everything into this film, I have no more regrets. I won’t be doing any more war films unless a Third World War breaks out.”
He’s almost forty, but this war film on World War II had many complicated scenes in store for him, such as scenes in which he had to fight in a battle or run in a marathon. So how was his health?
“There was a scene where I was being chased by a fighter plane. I ran night and day for three days in muddy Saemangeum. I got cramps and dehydration. It was so exhausting. I was even more worried because early this year, I had surgery on the knee I hurt during Warrior’s Way. I’m okay now, but I really don’t think I’ll be able to do any more war films (Laugh).”
My Way is a blockbuster that cost up to 28 billion won to produce, and it also brought in big stars from across Asia such as Joe Odagiri and Fan Bing Bing. It’s a film that any actor would want to add to his resume. The appearance of Jang Dong Gun, however, when he said after Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War that he would “never again do war films,” was somewhat unexpected.
“Taegukgi is a film about the Korean War. I thought that a war film of this scale would never again be produced in Korea. There are no other pretexts for it. But then I was handed a scenario for a film on the Second World War (Laugh). Because I really poured everything into this film, I have no more regrets. I won’t be doing any more war films unless a Third World War breaks out.”
He’s almost forty, but this war film on World War II had many complicated scenes in store for him, such as scenes in which he had to fight in a battle or run in a marathon. So how was his health?
“There was a scene where I was being chased by a fighter plane. I ran night and day for three days in muddy Saemangeum. I got cramps and dehydration. It was so exhausting. I was even more worried because early this year, I had surgery on the knee I hurt during Warrior’s Way. I’m okay now, but I really don’t think I’ll be able to do any more war films (Laugh).”
Jang Dong Gun and Go So Young
Jang Dong Gun and Go So Young. You can’t think of one without the other. In 2010 they tied the knot in the wedding of the century, and had a son named Min Jun. In a time when the newlywed family should have been together in their happiest days, however, Jang had to fly overseas for nine months because of My Way. If he was any other groom, he would’ve been harassed by his wife for it.
“Since I’m not leaving home to do anything else…. (Laugh) I think Min Jun is just getting to learn about his mom and his dad. Fortunately, he recognizes his dad (Laugh). After I wrap shooting [for Dangerous Liaisons], I’m planning to spend time with my child and my wife.”
It’s been 20 years since he made his debut. He’s still at the top, but of course he won’t be staying there forever. What plans does he have for his future?
“I love my job as an actor. I haven’t been able to find any other jobs better than this, and I think the same will go for the future. Still, I can’t help but think about the future. When I reach an age in which I physically can’t act in the roles I want to, I think I’ll want to make movies. Of course, I’ll have to prepare a lot and study hard...”
There’s a saying that the position makes the man. Jang, who had been at the top for 20 years, had the personality and manners to fit that position.
Photo credit: SK Planet Corporation, CJ E&M
Translation credit: Erika Kim
Jang Dong Gun and Go So Young. You can’t think of one without the other. In 2010 they tied the knot in the wedding of the century, and had a son named Min Jun. In a time when the newlywed family should have been together in their happiest days, however, Jang had to fly overseas for nine months because of My Way. If he was any other groom, he would’ve been harassed by his wife for it.
“Since I’m not leaving home to do anything else…. (Laugh) I think Min Jun is just getting to learn about his mom and his dad. Fortunately, he recognizes his dad (Laugh). After I wrap shooting [for Dangerous Liaisons], I’m planning to spend time with my child and my wife.”
It’s been 20 years since he made his debut. He’s still at the top, but of course he won’t be staying there forever. What plans does he have for his future?
“I love my job as an actor. I haven’t been able to find any other jobs better than this, and I think the same will go for the future. Still, I can’t help but think about the future. When I reach an age in which I physically can’t act in the roles I want to, I think I’ll want to make movies. Of course, I’ll have to prepare a lot and study hard...”
There’s a saying that the position makes the man. Jang, who had been at the top for 20 years, had the personality and manners to fit that position.
Photo credit: SK Planet Corporation, CJ E&M
Translation credit: Erika Kim
Filmography:
Nowhere to Hide (1999)
Anarchists (2000)
Friend (2001)
The Coast Guard (2002)
Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War(2004)
Typhoon (2005)
Good Morning, President (2009)
The Warrior’s Way (2010)
My Way (2011)
Dramagraphy:
Our Heaven (1992)
The Last Match (1994)
Medical Brothers (1997)
Ready Go! (1998)
Love (1998)
Springtime (1999)
Ghost (1999)
All About Eve (2000)
Nowhere to Hide (1999)
Anarchists (2000)
Friend (2001)
The Coast Guard (2002)
Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War(2004)
Typhoon (2005)
Good Morning, President (2009)
The Warrior’s Way (2010)
My Way (2011)
Dramagraphy:
Our Heaven (1992)
The Last Match (1994)
Medical Brothers (1997)
Ready Go! (1998)
Love (1998)
Springtime (1999)
Ghost (1999)
All About Eve (2000)
