Yoo Ji-tae Shares Candid Thoughts on Director Jang Hang-jun and His Acting Journey

Actor Yoo Ji-tae has opened up about his honest thoughts on director Jang Hang-jun, known for 'The King's Man'.

On the 20th, the YouTube channel 'Vivo TV - Im Hyung-jun's Acting Castle' released a video titled 'Yoo Ji-tae "Did Eui-sung also play Han Myeong-hoe?", Han Myeong-hoe vs Han Myeong-hoe'.

In the video, Yoo Ji-tae caught attention with his changed appearance. He shared, "I'm losing some weight now," updating fans on his current weight loss journey, and mentioned his busy schedule, "I'm preparing for my next project. Living life to the fullest."

Yoo Ji-tae, who earned the title of 'ten million actor' with the film 'The King and the Clown', humbly stated, "Actually, I was in a supporting role," and expressed caution about excessive praise. He humorously attributed the film's success to director Jang Hang-jun's well-lived life, saying, "Coffee trucks came endlessly."

Yoo Ji-tae analyzed the film's success as "a harmonious blend of Yoo Hae-jin's powerful acting and Park Ji-hoon's freshness." He emphasized the synergy between the director and actors, explaining, "Good results come when each role fits perfectly."

He also detailed the differences in directing styles between two renowned directors. Yoo Ji-tae noted, "Director Park Chan-wook's storyboards are very detailed. They tell the actors exactly what to do." In contrast, "Director Jang Hang-jun listens very well to people and actively incorporates the cinematographer's opinions," highlighting their contrasting styles.

He candidly evaluated, "While that's a great strength, it might also make one wonder if he lacks conviction. It's a double-edged sword."

Regarding his casting as Han Myeong-hoe in 'The King's Man', Yoo Ji-tae revealed, "When I was offered the role, I deliberately didn't watch existing works," explaining that he didn't want to be influenced by other actors' performances. He emphasized his unique interpretation, saying, "If I had watched them, I wouldn't have been able to create the Han Myeong-hoe of today."

When asked to compare himself with other actors who played the same character, Yoo Ji-tae maintained a cautious stance, stating, "Comparing is inherently contradictory," and "It's impossible to rank them." However, he expressed respect for the actors, saying, "The fact that they overcame that pressure and acted deserves respect."

Yoo Ji-tae concluded by reaffirming his standards for acting. He stressed, "What's important is the process, not the result," and "How sincerely an actor puts their heart into it is more important."

Meanwhile, 'Acting Castle' is a mockumentary featuring Kim Eui-sung, with Im Hyung-jun handling planning, directing, writing, and acting, composed entirely of fictional scenarios.

Eun Jung Kim, Ten Asia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr