Actor Jung Woo Returns with 'Jjangu': A Heartfelt Sequel to 'Wind'

"The movie 'Jjangu' offers comfort and empathy to young people going through tough times. It can touch the audience with both humor and sincerity, which is the essence of this film."

Seventeen years have passed, yet actor Jung Woo's passion remains as vibrant as in his rookie days. In 2009, Jung Woo captured hearts with his youthful appearance in the film 'Wind,' and now he returns to the screen with the sequel 'Jjangu,' evoking nostalgia among audiences. Notably, Jung Woo not only stars in 'Jjangu' but also directs it, adding significance to the project.

On the 20th, we met Jung Woo, the lead actor and director of 'Jjangu,' at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. Scheduled for release on the 22nd, 'Jjangu' tells the lively and passionate story of 'Jjangu' (played by Jung Woo), a genius at auditions who perseveres through setbacks with the dream of becoming an actor. The film's title, 'Jjangu,' is both the nickname of the protagonist Kim Jung-guk and Jung Woo's childhood nickname.

'Jjangu' captures the story of Jjangu in his 20s, following the character from 'Wind,' which is why it's considered a sequel. When asked why the title wasn't 'Wind 2,' Jung Woo responded, "I don't see this film as 'Wind' Season 2." He added, "I never referred to it as 'Wind 2.' People seem to think that because Jjangu, the main character from 'Wind,' appears in it. Personally, I believe 'Jjangu' is more accurately described as the story after 'Wind.' I hope people see it as a different kind of work."

Reflecting on the past, Jung Woo shared how 'Jjangu' came to be. "When I wrote the original story for 'Wind,' I thought about exploring the next chapter and recorded some episodes. Over time, I began turning those episodes into a script with the production company, going through 6-7 revisions," he explained. He added, "The production company first suggested I direct. Initially, I hesitated, feeling it wasn't my area, but I realized I understood the script best, so I decided to take on the challenge."

Taking on his first directorial role, Jung Woo spoke about the pressure he felt on set. "The pressure was immense, but I started with the mindset of overcoming small hurdles one at a time. As I cleared each one, I managed to conquer the mountain of 'directing,'" he said. He expressed gratitude to co-director Oh Sung-ho, saying, "The biggest support came from Director Oh. It wouldn't have been possible without him."

Jung Woo also gained a new perspective on the crew's roles. "Previously, I approached the set solely as an actor, but this experience allowed me to understand the perspectives of everyone involved, from directors and producers to the PR team and crew," he shared.

Jung Woo humorously reflected on actors who don't follow directors' instructions, admitting his past mistakes. "When a director gives instructions, actors should just follow them. But when that doesn't happen, problems arise," he said. "I understand their perspective, having been an actor myself, but as a director, my mindset was different this time."

Jung Woo expressed gratitude to his wife, actress Kim Yumi, who was also the planner for 'Jjangu.' "I relied on Yumi a lot and am truly grateful. Although her title was planner, she demonstrated abilities beyond that," he confessed. "When I was heading in the wrong direction on set, Yumi would correct me with her objective perspective."

He also mentioned director Jang Hang-jun, who made a cameo in the film. "He agreed to appear without a fee. To show my gratitude, I sent a coffee truck to the set of 'The Man Who Lives with the King,'" he said, adding humorously, "He agreed to appear before he became a big name."

Regarding the pressure of box office success, Jung Woo stated, "The success of the film is up to the audience, not me. Of course, it would be great if it does well, but what matters more to me is how valuable and joyful the process of making the film was."

By Juwon Park, TenAsia Reporter pjw00@tenasia.co.kr