October 4, 2021
Thanks to my good friend jilwww-arabfans, I was able to find the article from the magazine posted online! It is HERE.
And here is the translation. Do give credit if you use it in any way! It is almost midnight and I have been up since 6:00AM… just so you get an idea of how hard I work!
Jung Il Woo’s Breathing
After finishing the drama, I met the actor Jung Il-woo, who diligently fills his daily life again. About the actor’s work of constantly emptying and filling.
Cr. Harpers Bazaar Korea. October 2021
Q: The drama <Bossam – Stealing Destiny> has been completed safely. How have you been?
A: I decided on two next projects. Starting in October, we will start filming again and prepare hard. We can’t reveal the details yet, but it is likely to be revealed in an article soon. But even in the midst of my busy schedule, I am living my daily life starting with golf and ending with golf. (Laughs) Before going to bed, I watch golf entertainment programs on YouTube and practice golf in my spare time.
Q: I heard that you were very hesitant when deciding to appear in <Bossam – Stealing Destiny>. How sure are you about your next project?
A: <Bossam – Stealing Destiny> was a very attractive work, but personally, I was afraid of continuing on historical dramas. It was a tough and challenging character that I had never played before, so I was worried about whether I would be able to digest it well. There were a lot of junior actors who appeared with me, so there was a sense of pressure that I had to focus. Of course, the same is true of this decision. One day I said I could do it, the other day I said I couldn’t. (Laughs) Nevertheless, I try to change without being complacent. Usually, I keep thinking about how attractive the characters in the work are to me, and which character would suit the 35-year-old Jung Il-woo well.
Q: Fear of external reactions? Or is it a fight with yourself?
A: There were times when I thought how I would like to be seen by others. But it was all in vain. In the past, the impatient mind was greater, now the fear is greater. It has already been about 15 years since I debuted, but there is also the weight of having to show an improved image all the time. In some ways, I feel relaxed, but acting is still difficult and always feels like starting from scratch. You don’t have to try the same as the first time. So it’s all just a fight against myself. It matters how wisely you overcome it.
Q: What is the most difficult thing about acting?
Acting is technically inaccessible. You have to practice endlessly to convey the character’s sincerity. Just as friends need time to get to know each other, I also have enough time to get to know the character. I read the script aloud countless times, seek advice from teachers around me, and follow the character’s past footsteps. The process is hard, but I think it is also part of my job. It is the most enjoyable when working because the achievement is greater as it is hard. Will fear and joy coexist?
However, the drama ended successfully. MBN channel achieved the highest viewership rating ever.
A: I just want to say thank you. Not long ago, I was filming a documentary called High Kick without hesitation, and Mun-hee Na and Soon-jae Lee said that they watched the entire drama from start to finish. It’s not an easy character, but I was very proud to finish it well without being shaken until the end, so this gave me strength. It was physically difficult because it was filmed in the cold winter.
Q: The ‘chemistry’ with actors Kwon Yu-ri and Lee Jun-hyuk was also great, meeting three months before filming.
A: Reading the script, meeting ideas, and working on the overall color of the drama. I had enough time to analyze the character. I got to know the actors before filming, so the filming site was more comfortable and fun than ever. I learned a lot from Lee Jun-hyeok, and we keep in touch even after filming is over. We were recently asked to go on a variety show together, so we decided to do that too. (Laughs) He is a senior that I depend on a lot and like.
Q: You always seem to have a lot of people around you. Do you tend to get energy from spending time with people?
A: Right. In particular, when working, I approach with the mindset of building good memories together during that time. If we spend that time well, no matter what the outcome may be, it can be a happy memory only for us. If there is a quarrel, even if the drama results are very good, then we are not happy.
Q: He is creating various contents with people around him. He also plans it himself.
A has been shooting calendars for close to 10 years. Sell it and donate it. I’m going to go all over the provinces to show the beauty of Korea, but last time I was in Gangwon-do, and this time I’m going to Busan. It was so much more fun when I became a creator and participated in the work. I started YouTube <1 Day 1 Woo> because I wanted to show the person Jung Il-woo in a comfortable way because he hadn’t appeared on variety shows until now. Contents containing a playlist of songs I listened to while working and a playlist that reminds me of my 20s will be released soon, and I plan to share my various tastes such as favorite movies, books, and wine. Planning ideas come from many places. Sometimes I get it while watching the news, reading a book, or talking with people around me. To do that, you must first be open. I want to try more things before I get older.
Q: Actress Kwon Yu-ri, who joined the drama, defined Jung Il-woo as an “advanced person.” Do you agree?
A: is my family motto. My father and mother served as the president of the student council. The same goes for my sister, and I also have experience as a class president, and I think there is a challenging blood flowing through the house. (laughs)
Q: To do this, you must be very diligent. Where does that power come from?
A: There is a belief that good acting comes out only when you have tried countless experiences. When I was in my 20s, I was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and there were times when I didn’t go out at all and stayed at home.
Q: What’s the biggest achievement you’ve ever made?
Walking on the pilgrimage to Santiago. There has changed a lot, and I also realized that we don’t need much to live. But I forget that again and need more to live. (laughs)
Q: By the way, aren’t you very interested in fashion too? (Laughs)
In fact, if you only have two or three clothes, you can live comfortably for up to a month. I went with 3-4 t-shirts, 4 socks, 3 underwear, and a camera in my backpack, but it felt very heavy while walking.
Q: What did you see as you walked?
A: I was able to take time to look at myself quietly. Even if you have worries or worries, your body is too hard, so you can focus completely on walking. I was able to see things that used to be dark before my eyes from a different perspective, and I learned to appreciate living day by day. When there are happy times, there are also painful times. How flexibly accepting it and overcoming it is the key. I made a lot of friends while walking. Meet and stay in touch with friends who will be with you for the rest of your life. After walking the pilgrimage to Santiago, my travel style has completely changed, and I now enjoy traveling alone. When I was young, I liked to travel to big cities, but now I go to small towns and walk all day.
Q: You’ve been there three times already. Why did it have to be a pilgrimage to Santiago?
A: In my early 20s, I had a longing for the pilgrimage route to Santiago after reading <The Pilgrim> by Paulo Coelho. There are many pilgrimage routes to Santiago, but if I have time later, I would like to walk while enjoying the Northern Spain route and various other routes. In particular, the northern road also faces the sea, so you can swim. Anywhere you can walk is good, whether alone or with friends.
Q: Is there anything you would like to try more challenging in the future?
A: I want to be on the stage again. I learned a lot while doing the play <Elephant Song>. Basically, I practice for more than two months before going on stage, and then I get a much deeper sense of immersion into the character. It is also very attractive that you do the same work every day, but the same acting never comes out, and that you can communicate closely with the audience. If I apply what I learned here to other works, I think I will be able to respond more flexibly in the field. If the time is right next year, I will definitely try again.
Q: Acting is painful and painful, but is there any reason why you want to continue living as an actor?
The more you do it, the more difficult it becomes, and the more you do it, the more fun it becomes. I never once lost interest and thought about quitting. I am still grateful for the love from the fans. As I turned 30, I took on a greater responsibility for that love.
Q: ‘Unstoppable High Kick’’ ‘Yunho’ is still a character loved by many people. Having such a ‘life character’ can be a kind of driving force.
I am very grateful that as an actor I have a representative work. Besides, I don’t think it’s really easy to remember the character’s name even after 15 years have passed. These things come together to become the driving force for my development, the driving force for my life as an actor. Not long ago, while filming the documentary “High Kick Without Hesitation,” I was moved by the thought that it was a time I could never return to again. In November, <High Kick Without Hesitation> will celebrate its 15th anniversary. It was just aired on November 6th, 15 years ago. I hope we can remember that time together while watching the documentary.