Cho Jung-seok Looks Back at His Busiest August with 3 Film Releases

연합뉴스 / 2024-08-13 16:17:31

▲ This profile image of Korean actor Cho Jung-seok is provided by Next Entertainment World (NEW). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- Actor Cho Jung-seok, known for his comedic role as a cross-dressing man in the hit film Pilot, is taking on a completely different character as a dedicated lawyer in the upcoming movie Land of Happiness, directed by Choo Chang-min.

The film is set to be released on August 14, showcasing Cho in a role far removed from his usual comedic persona as he fiercely defends his client both inside and outside the courtroom.

"I’m so thrilled. I wonder if such a moment will ever come again in my acting career. It feels like a blessing," Cho said in an interview at a café in Jongno, Seoul, on the 13th, reflecting on having two films released so close together.

▲ A scene from "The Land of Happiness" provided by Next Entertainment World on Aug. 8, 2024 (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

When he first heard that Pilot and Land of Happiness would be released just two weeks apart, he was in disbelief, asking repeatedly if it was true. Adding to his busy month, the Netflix variety show A-List to Playlist, featuring Cho, will also be released at the end of August. "That means three major projects I’m leading are coming out within a month. A friend joked, 'What if all three flop?' which does put some pressure on me," he admitted.

With the success of Pilot easing some of his worries, Cho is excited to show a new side of himself in Land of Happiness. The film, directed by Choo, who is known for the 2012 blockbuster Masquerade, centers on the story of Park Tae-joo (played by Lee Sun-kyun), a soldier involved in the 10.26 incident, and his lawyer Jung In-ho, played by Cho. Despite the interference of Jeon Sang-doo (Yoo Jae-myung), a character inspired by the then-security commander Chun Doo-hwan, Jung steadfastly fights in court, driving the narrative.

Cho emphasized that this role represented "another opportunity and a new challenge." Aware that audiences often associate him with comedic and lighthearted roles, he sees a role like Jung In-ho as a rare chance to explore a different genre, something he’s always craved.

Jung In-ho initially appears as a lawyer willing to do anything to win but grows closer to Park Tae-joo and his family, eventually developing a strong desire to protect them. His character also awakens to a sense of civic duty, standing up against injustice. Cho described Jung In-ho as a character who could represent "all the people who lived through that era" and introduced Land of Happiness as a film that talks about human dignity through the story of a lawyer trying to save a man.

▲ This still photo from "The Land of Happiness" is provided by Next Entertainment World (NEW). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The film holds special significance for Cho, as it is the final work of the late actor Lee Sun-kyun. Lee had accepted the role of Park Tae-joo specifically because he wanted to act alongside Cho. Reflecting on their time together, Cho shared, "Sun-kyun and I had such a strong connection that we could communicate with just a look. We didn’t have to discuss the details of our performances; we just naturally moved to the next scene."

If Lee had seen the film, Cho believes he would have told him, "You did great." Expressing his sadness, Cho added, "It’s such a shame because I wanted to see more of Lee Sun-kyun in future projects." He fondly remembered Lee’s portrayal of Park Tae-joo, saying, "I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a heavy performance from him. I even told him during filming how happy I was as a fan to see him in that role."

While Cho rarely expresses a desire for box office success, he hopes Land of Happiness will do well, emphasizing its quality. "The film itself is so well-made. I hope people say it’s a 'well-made' movie rather than focusing on my performance. I was recently told it felt like a true cinematic experience, and that made me very happy. I think a 'movie-like movie' like this deserves to be seen in theaters."