Jo In-sung Embraces Change in New Film 'Humint': A Deep Dive into His Character and On-Set Experience

Actor Jo In-sung has once again embraced change with his role in the film 'Humint.' Through an interview, we gain insight into his thoughts on his character and his approach to the set.

The movie 'Humint,' directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, tells the story of individuals who clash in Vladivostok for different purposes.

Jo In-sung takes on the role of Cho, a black agent of the National Intelligence Service. His character, Cho, is portrayed as a cold and calculating agent who desperately moves to save people, driving the tension throughout the film.

During the interview, Jo In-sung discussed his chemistry with Shin Se-kyung in 'Humint,' stating, "I liked that there was no romance. I did a lot of romance when I was younger, and while romance is well-received, actors like me who have done it a lot risk self-replication."

He further explained, "If I were to do romance, it would be in a drama. Drama and romance are inseparable. Movies allow for genre experimentation, which is why I'm doing films."

He added, "While love is an important human issue, I want to portray stories about people, including love. I felt drawn to the character of Cho because I wanted to explore what kind of person he was."

Jo In-sung also left the door open for future romance roles in dramas, stating, "There are specific romances that adults should do, but there aren't many scripts like that. It takes someone with the depth of writer Noh Hee-kyung to create a mature male romance."

Jo In-sung also addressed the reason behind the many positive stories about him on set. He said, "I'm not sure myself. Experience can't be ignored." He continued, "I've filmed overseas twice and worked with director Ryoo Seung-wan, so I've had many experiences abroad, which come with their own challenges." He explained, "At this point, I think about what might be needed, and from their perspective, they might feel that I'm considerate."

He also spoke about the role of a lead actor, saying, "Lead actors ultimately serve as bridges. You need to know the state of the actors and the production to avoid frustration. If you're unaware, you get frustrated, but if you're informed, you can prevent internal conflicts."

He continued, "You can't share every detail, so as a bridge, I say, 'Please take care of this.' In challenging situations on set, I quickly communicate and reduce waiting times to allow more time for filming. When this accumulates, we can end with smiles."

Reflecting on himself, he said, "If my mom saw this, she'd say, 'You're being ridiculous.' She calls me 'Cho with no manners,'" he laughed. He added, "It's a workspace, after all. I think it's because of how I was when I was younger. I was relatively lonely back then, which is why I seem to watch over others."

He continued, "I don't want anyone to feel left out on this set. It's a workspace, so I want it to be warm. If the process is happy, that's what being an adult is about. I want to be a good adult. Everyone loses their initial mindset."

The interview also touched on whether he would prefer 'Humint' to surpass 10 million viewers or for the Hanwha Eagles to win the championship. Known as a devoted Hanwha Eagles fan, Jo In-sung has shown his affection by throwing the first pitch at their home games and frequently attending matches during the season.

With a smile, Jo In-sung replied, "I hope 'Humint' surpasses 10 million viewers first." He added, "I feel like I can support others when I'm at ease. I hope the film receives a lot of love from the audience." He continued, "I'll keep supporting Hanwha. When there's no baseball, I hope Hanwha fans come to watch 'Humint.'"

He concluded, "I hope the film satisfies the audience. I'm excited and worried about whether it will meet expectations."

The film 'Humint' was released on the 11th.

Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr