“It was just a rehearsal... but (Hye-soo) noona's eyes were real. I was so immersed that I cried during practice.”
Actor Joo Jong-hyuk (34), who met viewers in the new year through the Disney+ series ‘Trigger’ (written by Kim Gi-ryang, directed by Yoo Seon-dong), expressed that he was deeply moved by senior actor Kim Hye-soo's performance, even shedding tears.
Nevertheless, Joo Jong-hyuk approached his acting with the passion of a young person from the MZ generation, without feeling intimidated among his seniors. This is why Kim Hye-soo referred to him as a “diligent and skilled” actor at the production presentation.
‘Trigger’ is the first work to kick off this year's Disney+ lineup. It tells the story of relentless investigative reporters who aim to expose the wrongdoings of bad guys in a beautiful world, starting with the camera. The series concluded with its 12 episodes, releasing the final two episodes on the 19th.
In the drama, Joo Jong-hyuk played the role of ‘Kang Ki-ho’, the youngest PD of the ‘Trigger’ team, showcasing his talent. His trademark is his bomb hairstyle and hoodie. He is a contract assistant director who prefers the office over home, working with the determination to one day become a full-time directing PD.
On the day the final episode was released, I met Joo Jong-hyuk at a café in Palpan-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Joo Jong-hyuk said, “As the youngest PD, there is a lively atmosphere, but I don’t think he is just a bright character. In a way, actors are also non-regular workers. While performing with the sorrow of not being a full-time employee, I tried to express myself responsibly as an office worker.”
In particular, he had to show a strong side as a PD leading ‘Team Trigger’ under Team Leader Oh So-ryong (played by Kim Hye-soo). Joo Jong-hyuk reflected, “I tried to pay attention to how to handle situations as a PD and the details. Since the incidents are significant and there is a lot of content, I promised myself to focus on my acting.”
Throughout the episodes, Joo Jong-hyuk was often accompanied by Kim Hye-soo and Jung Sung-il as part of the ‘Trigger’ team. He praised, “Noona was really serious and sincere about acting. She would talk about acting with a broad perspective. She was like the pillar of Trigger. I learned a lot from seeing her embrace many people on set.” He also shared a close bond with Jung Sung-il, saying, “We got along very well. He felt like an older brother, just a year older, and was reassuring. I asked him many questions while acting.”
Joo Jong-hyuk added, “I just thought I shouldn’t be a hindrance to my seniors and that I had to do well. As the seniors made me comfortable, I gradually gained confidence over time. Eventually, I felt that I could try more diverse acting just by looking into Hye-soo noona's eyes.”
Joo Jong-hyuk was full of energy during the interview, just like his character in ‘Trigger’. His expressions and tone made the reporters feel at ease. Thanks to his overflowing energy, he was also the mood maker on the set of ‘Trigger’. He recalled, “There was never a difficult moment during filming. It was so much fun when I went to the set. Everyone had a good personality, so we could shoot joyfully.”
For Joo Jong-hyuk, who is in his 10th year since his debut, ‘Trigger’ has become a deeply resonant work. He stated, “I thought I shouldn’t act carelessly. I resolved to act every scene seriously and cautiously. As I continued acting, it seems to be getting more challenging. On the other hand, I also feel the desire to act more deeply. I think I need to solidify my inner self and have more diverse moments.”
Joo Jong-hyuk, who debuted in 2015 with the short film ‘Mongma’, has showcased a variety of performances in films and dramas such as ‘The Law of Love in the Big City’, ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’, ‘Yumi's Cells’, ‘Black Sun’, and ‘D.P.’
He will continue to connect with viewers throughout the year through the tvN drama ‘Confidence Man’ and the Disney+ original series ‘Polaris’, which are set to be released in the second half of this year.
[Ji Seung-hoon, Star Today Reporter]
