Ji Chang-wook poses prior to an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
In Disney+'s crime thriller "Gangnam B-Side," actor Ji Chang-wook no longer plays the handsome romantic comedy role, but instead appears as a flamboyant pimp, complete with long hair, a fur coat and eye-catching accessories, delivering impressive action scenes.
Ji has received critical acclaim for his performance as Yoon Gil-ho, a villainous yet complex character who protects the women under his care from the seedy underbelly of the upscale Gangnam area in southern Seoul.
The 37-year-old actor described his character as a "crazy guy chasing bad guys," admitting to being drawn to the character's deficiencies.
"Personally, I found it interesting that the character I played, Yoon Gil-ho, had deficiencies and that police officer Kang Dong-woo (Jo Woo-jin) viewed Yoon with colored glasses," he said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Wednesday, explaining that he could relate because actors are judged with prejudice by people as well.
"Yoon has been deeply affected by a lack of parental and interpersonal relationships and I made a great effort to emphasize this (through my acting)," he added.
The story revolves around Kang, a former police officer who once investigated corruption, but is now isolated and alone. After moving to a quiet countryside town, he's unexpectedly pulled back into Seoul when his daughter's friend and club ace Kim Jae-hee (Kim Hyeong-seo, also known as singer Bibi) vanishes. Teaming up with Yoon, he delves into a dangerous underworld of crime and corruption, aiming to expose a conspiracy involving powerful figures.
The eight-episode drama follows the actor's recent track of action thrillers including "The Worst of Evil" and "Revolver."
"As a person who has grown up seeing classic film noir, I thought I wanted to try it and show a young and new noir," Ji explained his decision to appear in consecutive action projects. "I didn't have much greed as an actor for this 'Gangnam B-Side.' I did this project because of the charms of the relatable characters."
The fast-paced plot with constant twists and turns, the explosive performances and relentless action of the drama have captivated the hearts of global viewers.
The Disney+ original series has set a new record by topping the global charts. After ranking ninth when it was first released on Nov. 9, it has climbed the ranks each week since to reach the top spot in the Disney+ TV show category on a global scale as of Monday, according to FlixPatrol, a website that tracks the viewing rankings of content on OTT platforms worldwide. It also secured the top spot in Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong, and ranked within the top 10 in a total of seven countries including Greece, Malta and Turkey.
Regarding the overwhelming global popularity, the actor said it has been largely "unexpected." But, he said, "Maybe people are drawn to the story because it reflects real-world issues." The drama takes inspiration from the actual events surrounding BIG BANG's Seungri and the Burning Sun controversy, using them as the basis for its main villain and central plot.
Amid his diverse roles, Ji is focused on transcending his young heartthrob image to be recognized more for his acting.
"I've been trying to shed my previous image as an idol or hallyu star (in dramas) and establish myself as a serious actor. It's a big challenge, but I've been putting in a lot of thought and effort behind the scenes," he said. "It's rewarding to see my range grow, even if it's a gradual process. I believe that one day, people will recognize me more for my acting abilities."