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| Actor Ju Ji-hoon / Courtesy of Showbox |
Most in-demand actor speaks about serial killer role in forthcoming film
By Park Jin-hai
Ju Ji-hoon, 36, is one of the most in-demand actors, spending his busiest year since he made his debut in 2002. Ju has no limits with his acting range.
He played an attractive and warm-hearted grim reaper in the smash hit fantasy film "Along with the Gods" series, whose second installment stormed local theaters this August. In the same month, in the espionage film "The Spy Gone North," he transformed himself into the sarcastic head of the North Korean Security Agency, which also saw great commercial success at the local box office.
The model-turned-actor is now awaiting the release of his latest and third film of the year. In the upcoming film "Dark Figure of Crime," to be released Oct. 3, he takes the role of a psychopathic serial killer.
"I've been totally blessed. I've been working for three full years recently without taking a break. I know that it is very rare for an actor to have such a prolific year," Ju said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday.
The crime thriller based on a true story follows Busan-born killer Kang Tae-oh serving a jail term for murdering his girlfriend. It follows what happens after he confesses to six unreported additional killings to a detective. Mainly set in an interrogation room, he trades clues about the murders and starts playing a psychological game with the police officer who doggedly investigates the vague cases.
Ju says the "bumpy" character of Kang strongly attracted him to the film. "On top of a solid storyline, my character is very attractive to me. The bumpy rough character, who goes through emotional ups and downs to the extreme, is a challenge that any actor would like," said the actor, adding that he had as many worries as expectations about the film.
"The scenario includes the elements of a psychopath and murders that can either be told in the most brutal ways in the film or not. I was excited but worried if I could act my role well and get the film's message across to the public."
Instead of adrenaline pumping chase or action scenes, the film chose to focus on the mind games, making it a different kind of psychological crime thriller.
"I think the film does well in creating tension without extravagantly violent scenes. Some critics said the film was great in that it was free from gratuitous violence. Yet, I think the film is fun to watch as a commercial film and successfully delivers its message," he said.
Since it is set mainly in the limited meeting room, cinematographic tricks and visual effects could not amplify the tension. The tension escalates between the conversations between Kang and the detective through their Busan regional dialect, intonation and mood. "Since it heavily relies on the dialogue between the two, everything the characters do and say has been meticulously calculated by the director down to the framing of minutes. I rehearsed over and over until I could act naturally when the camera was rolling."
To portray Kang more realistically, Ju appears in the film with his head shaven and wearing no makeup, which was his idea. "Thinking about Kang, who complains, 'even after killing seven, no inmate shows me due respect,' I thought that after he was imprisoned in the jungle of heinous criminals, he must have wanted to look strong. So I suggested to the director to shave my head. I also created his unique way of walking as if pretending to be relaxed and strong," the actor said.
"A single detective's passion and tenacity" has been the inspiration for this film. About the film's social message, Ju said, "If everyone fulfills their duty at the place where they are, this film says they can change the world and make a difference."
He will begin shooting MBC's drama "Item" later this month and his new drama "Kingdom" is scheduled to be globally released on Netflix in late November or early December.
Asked about his aspirations to make it in Hollywood, he said he wishes "Kingdom" can open the way for him. "I have high hopes for the drama. As an actor, starring in a drama that is to be released internationally means that I can reach a wider market and a larger audience," he said. "I thought that if this period drama ― which shows Korea's beautiful traditional clothing and Korean culture ― is a hit, it could also contribute to lowering the bar for other Korean films for non-Asian viewers."
