Brilliant, surprising ordinariness in earnestness: “The Days” Ji Chang Wook

“The Days” which was loved by critics and audiences during its first run last year was exceptionally lucky with awards. Ji Chang Wook who acted as Mu-Yeong also won the Best Male Newcomer award at The 7th Musical Awards. The free-spirited Mu-Yeong who possesses the best abilities of a presidential bodyguard is placed in the centre of a mystery in the show.  Ji Chang Wook boasts that he is 100% synchronized with Mu-Yeong and gave a perfect portrayal of Mu-Yeong as though he was wearing his own clothes. With that, he ascends the stage again for this year’s re-run. “Because ‘The Days’ is a show that he has great attachment to,” he readily decided to star in it. “An actor is not a special person but an ordinary person” — this thought of his makes him shine even brighter on the musical stage where he gets along and works together with various people.

Q: I heard you’ve been practising before coming to the interview.
A: There was a choreography practice since this morning, so I participated in it before coming. This time, the run-through was started faster than other times, so I’m slightly tired but my physical condition is the best.

Q: After doing the run-through, how do you feel?
A: I’m still lacking. I thought, “I need to work even harder after all”. Because there is still time before the premiere, I wish to brush up on all those areas that I’m lacking in during this period. I feel assured because I have the director and seniors around.

Q: We cannot avoid talking about “Empress Ki”.  It was a long drama, is there anything from before that has changed after the show?
A: We spent 8 months filming it, so although I find it a pity (that it has ended), I feel relieved. I’m always the same. I do not know if I’ve had any major changes. But it is a fact that I’ve been receiving many more offers after “Empress Ki” ended. (Laughs)

Q: How did you spend your time after “Empress Ki” ended?
A: Even after the show ended, there was no time to rest. I went to Japan for fan meetings; when I had some spare time, I played soccer which I wasn’t able to play previously, and met up with a lot of friends. I also held a fan meeting in Taiwan not too long ago, and now I am preparing for my new drama “Healer” while I practise for “The Days” again.

Q: The reason for your participation in the re-run of “The Days”?
A: I really had a lot of fun during the first run last year. Although it was tiring during practices, the seniors treated me very well and the teamwork was good. If a suggestion was received, it would be accepted and definitely carried out. More than anything, “The Days” is a piece of work that I have great attachment for. Although I suffered after meeting the character Mu-Yeong, I have also grown as much as I’ve suffered. Because it was an original musical and it was also the first run, everyone had suffered, not just me alone. That’s why I have such a great attachment to the show and I decided to do it again.

Q: Other actors have also said that the first run of an original musical is very difficult. There is also a burden to show a new look at the re-run.
A: Rather than focusing on which areas are different, the first thought that came to mind was “Must it really be different?” We are still continuing to work hard to create a better performance. However, just because something is different does not mean it is better, but the additional things should supplement the show while we try to work well with the newly joined actors at the same time, and then create something new from that.

Q: Last year, you said “The Days” was a musical that was a form of healing to your heart.
A: I didn’t know much about senior Kim Gwang Seok initially. Because I didn’t grow up in the generation where we would listen to his songs. But while doing the performances last year, I really fell in love with the songs. Those were good songs even if you just listened to them. I think songs serve to settle and soothe people’s emotions. Isn’t that considered healing? Also story wise, there are no villains in our musical. It’s a big problem if there are no villains in a show, but it is a remarkable feat to disregard the absence of villains and create conflict just based on situations alone. That’s why, it is a show that is moving and memorable no matter when you watch it.

Q: There are also new actors who have joined the cast with actors from the first run.
A: It was very awkward during practices in the beginning because everyone was meeting for the first time. It was a situation where everyone was uncomfortable with one another. (Laughs) We went for a MT (*MT = membership training, Korean term that refers to outdoor excursion/retreat often done by companies or university students) not too long ago. To get closer to people, there’s no better way than drinking. We became united in that way and we’ve become much closer now. Although “The Days” is a form of healing emotionally, it is not good for the health because we drink too much. (Laughs)

Q: The feeling of the character expressed by each actor will be different.
A: Of course all will be different. Joon Sang hyungnim’s Jung Hak is older and full of wit and humour. Hyungnim is also overflowing with energy all the time. This is the first time I’m seeing such a person. (Laughs) So the mood maker at “The Days” is none other than Joon Sang hyungnim. Tae Eul hyung’s personality is the most similar to that of Jung Hak. It’s exactly like a FM (*meaning they are on the same frequency). Be it in life or in acting, he is always a model example for his juniors. Choi Jaewoong who newly joined the cast as Jung Hak is the Jung Hak that I’m most curious about this time round. I’m curious about “Exactly what kind of Jung Hak will we get from Jaewoong hyung?” I’ve worked with Geon Myung hyungnim before in “Jack the Ripper”, and because he is a hyungnim whom I like, I’m all the more looking forward to see how he portrays his character. I’m also especially excited because he will be performing with me at the first performance.

Q: Do you think you are similar to the free spirited Mu-Yeong?
A: We are similar in many aspects. Mu-Yeong may seem carefree, loose and messy even, but this kind of Mu-Yeong makes me like him even more. However, Mu-Yeong is always number 1 in whatever he does. Of course, I can’t possibly grade myself in the work I do, but I’ll probably need to work harder. If I am able to continue acting in the third run or even the fourth run of this musical, and if I’m able to choose a character, I’ll still want to pick Mu-Yeong again. But Jung Hak is also a very charming character. Seeing Jung Hak on stage will make you naturally want to clap for him, but alas, I am unable to imagine what kind of Jung Hak will be portrayed by me.

Q: What is your most favourite scene in “The Days”?
A: I really like the song “A Night Left Alone”, and it is the scene where “She” first appears and sings this song alone by the window. It was interesting listening to it from backstage. And personally, the characters that I like the most are Sang Gu and Dae Shik. They were really hilarious in the musical. I wondered from where could they possibly have found those kind of actors. (Laughs) This time, Ji Ho hyung is joining as a new cast member, and Ji Ho hyung has worked with me in “Thrill Me” before. Ji Ho hyung is also a remarkable actor. He really suits the role very well. I never miss out on watching their scenes from backstage.

Q: Last time, you said the stage was scary. Then, as a musical actor, at which moment did your heart beat the most?
A:  When I made a mistake?  (Laughs) That’s probably the moment where your heart beats the fastest. The stage is always tense. Although I always pretend to be fine, my back is always drenched in cold sweat. In order for that not to happen, I need to practise hard.

Even now, I still find the stage scary and I get nervous. Because it is a live performance so there is a possibility of making mistakes. In order to avoid that, I need to practise continuously. Although the stage may be scary, it is also equally interesting. As long as there are no accidents such as the lights suddenly going off on stage or when an audience member intrudes, the performance will definitely not be cancelled halfway. Being on stage has this charm of being able to act till the end to your heart’s content without being interrupted by anyone. If I can perform well and if anyone continuously comes to find me for work, I wish to continue performing on stage.

Q: You seem to have nerves of steel?
A:  I don’t have nerves of steel, but I probably try to pretend to be that way. There’s no need for me to say that I’m feeling nervous on stage right? If I go up on stage, I will spend effort to stay more focused.

Q: What do you think are your strengths?
A: My ordinariness. I think being ordinary is a very good strength for an actor. Being an actor does not make me special, but I am able to get along with other people because I am a human. That kind of ordinariness is good. Everyone is living their lives this way, and I think it’s good that I am able to live ordinarily like them. I am an ordinary and normal guy who has nothing special.

Q: Your mind is matured compared to your age.
A: I debuted when I was 23 years old, and of course there are many people who debuted at a younger age than me, but I think I’m like that because I normally think a lot. There are many people who see me as someone older than my age. I also got to meet many good seniors while acting in shows. People were very forgiving towards me simply because I am the youngest, and there were many times when I made mistakes but they let me get away with it. Obviously, people who appear on TV usually seem different from ordinary people. But those seniors were able to get along well with people around them, they were not difficult, and appeared ordinary. I learnt a lot looking at these seniors, and I thought they were very awesome. I want to be like these seniors even if it’s just a little bit.

Q: What is your criteria for selecting works?
A:  It is highly subjective. Is the show interesting when I look at it, whether the role given to me is attractive enough, and lastly, whether I have confidence in doing this piece of work. I will think of these and make my decision. If I have doubts about even any one of these, then it won’t be easy to do this project. If I find it uninteresting, how will the people watching it be able to find it interesting? If I lack the confidence, how am I going to find the courage to do it?

Q: Finally, do you have any goals for the future?
A:  Because it is so enjoyable to work with people I like, I want to lead an interesting life as an actor. The army awaits me around the end of next year, I want to work hard before I go to the army and then do my work freely when I return. I want to gain experience bit by bit without rushing, and I want to become an actor who grows steadily.

Video interview and BTS:
(click on CC for English subtitles)

Source:
PlayDB
Starlog