One of theKorean actors to have undoubtedly made an impact this year is ChoJung-Seok. Hehas featured in two films so far in 2024: Pilot and Land of Happiness,both of which have been warmly received by critics and audiences. The formerwas the most popular film this summer attracting 4.7 million viewers in afurther sign that the industry is moving away from big budget blockbuster fare.
The actorstarted out in theater making his stage debut in 2004 with The Nutcracker.Spending almost a decade on stage as a musical actor, it has given him aversatility allowing him to take on a range of roles. He has continued toflourish since making his silver screen debut in 2012 with the film Architecture101 (2012). He went on to appear as a leading role in films in such as AlmostChe (2012), The Face Reader (2013), The Fatal Encounter(2014), My Love, My Bride (2014) and The Exclusive: Beat the Devil’sTattoo (2015).
He also wasvery active working in television acting in multiple dramas beginning with What’sUp in 2011 and then The King 2 Hearts in 2012. To date, amongst hisparts for television and streaming platforms, he is perhaps best known for hisrole as an assistant professor of general surgery and specialist in livertransplants in two seasons of Hospital Playlist (2020-2021). Dubbed as a“healing drama” for its heartwarming stories, it was a hit both in Korea andoverseas having been picked up by Netflix for certain territories. Jung’s musical skills were also instrumentalin the show’s success given the enduring popularity of its soundtrack.
Working inboth television and film, like many of his peers he has evolved with theecosystem finding success on both the small and big screen. He also starred in EXIT(2019) that was a surprise success in the summer of 2019 as he is fastbecoming one of the most sought-after performers in the industry.
This weekwe will profile some of his most iconic performances beginning with his firstfilm Architecture 101 (2012) before moving on to The Face Reader(2012), My Love, My Bride (2014), My Annoying Brother (2016), TheDrug King (2017), EXIT(2019) and Pilot (2023).
Architecture 101
ChoJung-Seok’s performance in Architecture 101 would be characteristic ofhis later work bringing his infectious energy and charisma. He plays the bestfriend of one of the film’s leading characters acted by Lee Je-hoon coachinghim how to attract girls.
Directed byLee Yong-ju, the film set in the 1990s and the then present day of the early2010s tells the story of two students (Lee Je-hoon & Bae Suzy) who meet atan architecture class. The film also flashes forward 17 years later when thefemale protagonist (Han Ga-in) seeks the help of her first love (Uhm Tae-woong)to build a dream home on Jeju Island.
Popularamong a wide demographic – both young and old – pulling in over 4 millioncinemagoers, it cleverly adopts a nostalgic backdrop resonating with audienceswho grew up in the 1990s. The success of the film was significant becausemelodramas had struggled to perform as well as they used to in the late 1990sand early-to-mid 2000s.
While ChoJung-Seok’s role is smaller than his later ones, it was a part that left ameaningful impression winning Best New Actor at various award ceremoniesincluding the Blue Dragon Awards. It was the new breakout performance of theyear.
The Face Reader
ChoJung-Seokshines amongst his co-stars in Han Jae-rim’s sumptuous period film The FaceReader, which features an impressive ensemble cast led by Song Kang-ho andKim Hye-soo. It also stars Lee Jung-jae, Baek Yoon-sik and Lee Jong-suk.
Jung playsthe brother-in-law of a man who studies physiognomy (Song Kang-ho) and canascertain a lot about a person by reading their face. After moving to Hanyang(the former name of Seoul) and having solved a murder, he is summoned to thepalace as a power struggle in the upper echelons of Korea’s monarchy emerges.
As theprotagonist’s sidekick, Cho brings his charm and versatility leaving anindelible mark on the narrative demonstrating his talent in a period settingwith plenty of stunning visuals and palace intrigue. The film released in timefor Korea’s thanksgiving season sold over nine million tickets making it his thenmost successful film to date.
My Love, My Bride
The actorcontinued to entertain audiences, this time as the central lead in ImChan-sang’s comedy My Love, My Bride (2014). It’s a remake of LeeMyung-se’s much-admired 1990 feature of the same name starring Park Joong-hoonand Choi Jin-sil.
Cho starsopposite Shin Min-ah playing Young-min; the pair are a newly wedded couple whoappear very much in love during a honeymoon period but later constantly bickerand argue. With their relationship under further strain as they struggle totrust each other, they eventually discover the true meaning of love.
Once againCho delivers a committed performance reflecting his range finding moments ofhumor, while also touching viewers with his charismatic and relatablepersona. It’s a film that is certainlyvery commercial with plenty of amusement and melodrama but it’s also a storythat couples can relate to. As a result, it struck a chord with audiencesaccruing more than 2 million admissions in the fall of 2014, which is typicallya quieter time at the box office.
My Annoying Brother
Alsoconnecting with audiences in a tangible way was My Annoying Brother(2016) directed by Kwon Soo-kyung, which sold close to 3 million tickets inwhat was also an off-peak season at the box office. It was released in November2016. By this point, Cho was evidently becoming a box office draw.
As thetitle suggests, he plays the older brother of a national judo athlete (DohKyung-soo) who has lost his eyesight while competing damaging his optic nerves.The elder sibling seeks to exploit his brother’s situation by using him to get paroledfrom prison. He later learns that he hasterminal cancer and therefore has a limited time with his younger brother. Heattempts to help him win a Gold Medal at the Rio Olympics that will provide himwith an income.
Cho’sability to ensure his characters connect with his audience is on display herein what is an affecting film with plenty of melodrama to keep viewers engaged.
The Drug King
Cho starredin The Drug King directed by Woo Min-ho, illustrating his appetite toapproach differing roles. He plays a prosecutor from Seoul who seeks to takedown a drug smuggler (Song Kang-ho) who is growing more powerful in the portcity of Busan in the 1970s.
Produced byHive Media, it’s a gritty portrayal of the turbulent 1970s period echoing theWoo’s previous film Inside Men (2015). Featuring strong productionvalues through its set-design and cinematography along with powerfulperformances from its cast led by Song Kong-ho, Cho too is impressive furthertesting the boundaries of his persona.
It wastheatrically released in Korea in December 2018 but failed to perform as wellas the also 18-rated Inside Men selling just 1.8 million tickets in whatwas seen as a box office disappointment.Other tentpoles that also hit screens in the same month also failed toperform: Swing Kids (2018) and Take Point (2018) sparking someconcern amongst those in the industry.
EXIT
Conversely,Cho’s portrayal as the leading protagonist in Lee Sang-geun’s EXIT(2019)was an unexpected hit selling more 9.4 million tickets. In what is an idealrole for him, Cho plays a man with skills in rock climbing that come in usefulwhen a disgruntled man releases a toxic gas in Seoul sending desperatesurvivors to the roofs. He is at a party celebrating the 70thbirthday of his mother where he meets a former friend from his rock-climbingdays played by Im Yoon-ah. Together they lead people to safety.
While thefilm’s enthralling set-pieces and visuals are a factor behind its success, itis the leading characters and the chemistry they share that make it such arewarding viewing experience for viewers.While there is sometimes a temptation to include early action sequences,the film benefits from introducing the characters over several minutes at thebeginning that sets the stage for the events that come later.
Pilot
ChoJung-Seok’s role in Pilot was one of his most daring to date playing astar pilot at one of the country’s leading air carriers - Hanguk airlines. Heloses his job when a recording of a drunken exchange goes viral and issubsequently blacklisted from the industry.
He thenreinvents himself as his sister thereby transforming into a woman. He getshired, manages to safely bring down a plane that enters difficulty and becomesa star pilot again – but how long can he keep up this act?
Directed byKim Han-gyul (Crazy Romance (2019)), it’s a remake of the Swedish film Cockpit(2012). Through Cho’s character’s transformation, it ridicules some of theprejudices in society that often affect women. It does it in a manner thatremains refreshing and makes references to real events. The emergency landingin the film was inspired by real instances of hierarchal issues in the cockpitthat has caused accidents like the Korean Air crash in Guam in 1997.
Even thoughthe theatrical market continues to face much uncertainty, the success of Pilot,which also stars Lee Choo-myung, Han Sun-hwa and Oh Min-ae suggests that featurefilms are still reaching audiences.
Written byJason Bechervaise
Editted by Shim Eunha
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