Jo Jung-seok "I appeared naked in 'Coffin', but I like the sudden change in status."

Actor Jo Jung-seok expressed his feelings about taking on the role of a king for the first time since his debut.

On the 16th, a production presentation for tvN's new Saturday-Sunday drama 'Sejak, The Bewitched' was held at the Sindorim Ramada Hotel in Sindorim-dong, Seoul. Writer Kim Seon-deok and actors Jo Jung-seok, Shin Se-kyung, Lee Shin-young, Park Ye-young, Jang Young-nam, and Lee Gyu-hoe attended the event.

'Sejak' is a melodrama historical drama depicting the cruel fate of King Lee In (played by Jo Jung-seok), who holds a high position but has a lowly heart, and the woman who becomes Sejak (a spy) to bring him down. It is a 100% fiction play based on imagination.

Jo Jung-seok plays the role of Lee In, who was born with the fate of the greatest and after being abandoned by his beloved older brother, he lives a lonely life to avoid being outcast. Despite becoming a king, he tries to isolate himself so as not to fall into delusion.

Jo Jung-seok explained the character of Lee In, "He is a person who cares and loves his country and people more than his own life, and has the courage to sacrifice himself. He was originally a great general, but in the end, he is a character born with a destiny that has no choice but to become a king."

Jo Jung-seok is challenging the role of king for the first time since his debut. Regarding the rapid rise in status, Jo Jung-seok said, "I'm so happy. There's a saying that people shouldn't change so drastically, but as a joke, I told the actors that their status changed so drastically that it was embarrassing but good. I tried wearing costumes like this," and added, "It's something an actor can have." “I thought it might be an advantage and a privilege to have. I appeared naked in the movie ‘Contemplation,’ and I thought about it a lot at that time,” he said.

Jo Jung-seok said, "It was a role I wanted to challenge because the character Lee In is diverse and has many colors. I focused more on the character and put a lot of research and effort into it rather than focusing on the game of baduk and the dignity he must have as a king."

'Sejak' will be aired for the first time on the 21st and will be specially scheduled for the first and second consecutive episodes.

Taeyuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr