When the Stars Gossip marks its name among the most expensive K-dramas of all time
Jo Woo Jin shares his thoughts and experience acting in Gangnam B-Side.
Gangnam B-Side is a crime K-drama that follows a top detective who, after being demoted, joins forces with a prosecutor and a mysterious broker to take down sinister forces operating in the shadows of Gangnam's nightlife.
Jo Woo Jin plays Detective Kang Dong Woo, who was demoted due to a certain incident in the past, returns to solve a series of disappearance cases in Gangnam.
Jo Woo Jin shared, "I had a hard time. It was emotionally very difficult. Every scene, especially those showcasing the dynamic and thrilling aspects of the genre, required utmost dedication — there wasn't a single moment where I didn't give it my all. Everyone worked hard. We shot through cold winter and continued filming right until just before it got really hot. There were intense scenes shot during shifts between day and night, and it is a work that built up a lot of fatigue." But, all that effort brought positive responses from viewers. The actor expressed his satisfaction, adding, "The positive reactions the drama is receiving now feels like a relief."
Jo Woo Jin shares his mindset about approaching the character of Kang Dong Woo
Jo Woo Jin, speaking about starring in Gangnam B-Side, which is inspired by a true story, said, "I didn't look into the real-life case, so I acted based on the text written in the script, performing as the story required. While reading the script, the Burning Sun scandal didn't come to mind."
When asked about his approach to making his detective character unique, someone never seen before on screen, Jo Woo Jin shared, "I thought it was much more important to focus on aspects I haven't shown before, such as [a different] physical appearance and the emotional empathy that came with it. If there's a point of differentiation, it lies in the kind of acting that hasn't been seen before — this feels like the top priority in my concerns. I've been working with the thought, 'What kind of acting would feel new and refreshing?' In that sense, it seems that people have been able to relate. I also told the director to point out if they ever found my acting to be something they'd seen before or if it felt tedious. Director Park Noo Ri gave clear and precise directions, and I tried to follow them closely." "I thought this character required sincerity in acting. Since he is a righteous person determined to solve the case, I felt that if sincerity was lacking, the story wouldn't flow well. I focused on following and embodying that sincerity in every moment."
He continued, "Rather than thinking of it as particularly difficult, I believe all [kinds of] acting is challenging. What was truly difficult, however, was that Kang Dong Woo's way of dealing with the incident and situation felt quite different from mine. I thought a lot about how to express [his] sincerity. I wouldn't say I'm particularly cautious or thoughtful, nor I'm as much of a man of action as Kang Dong Woo. Since Kang Dong Woo is such an action-oriented character, I think it was challenging to decide what kind of determination to embody in the performance. When I felt it was too much or didn't fit, I relied heavily on the director. For this project as well, I think we went into it after doing a lot of readings with the other actors."
Playing a character that needed to anchor the story, Jo Woo Jin reflected, "Rather than thinking of Kang Dong Woo's sense of righteousness as the central theme, I approached the role with the mindset that he simultaneously plays the roles of speaker and listener. Kang Dong Woo meets and interacts with all the other characters, so I focused on eliciting sympathy from viewers. That was the role Kang Dong Woo needed to fulfill throughout the entire drama."
Jo Woo Jin shares how he gained 18 kg for Gangnam B-Side
At the K-drama's press conference, Jo Woo Jin revealed he gained 18 kg (about 40 pounds) for the role of Kang Dong Woo. Talking about his transformation journey, he said "I was very skinny after finishing the filming of Harbin. Then, when I took on Gangnam B-Side and discussed the character with the director, she mentioned that it would be good if the character had a solid and weighty appearance. Since I prepared in a hurry, I couldn't take care of my health and ended up eating a lot of hamburgers. Back in the day, when Whopper first came out, I once ate up to five burgers in one sitting. Whoppers are pretty huge, aren't they? (laughs). This time, I ate so many hamburgers that I also tried gourmet ones from different places. One place even spread peanut butter on their burgers, and it was really delicious."
"I also ate a lot of Italian food, like pizza and lasagna, while gaining weight and working out. This was probably the first time in my life that I worked out so hard... Eating made me happy, but exercising was painful. That was because I was doing cardio weight workout intensely. I exercised for about an hour almost every day, to the point where it felt like my tongue would fall to my chest. There's a heart rate threshold that is an indicator that tells if you exceeded the day's workout target. I exercised according to that standard."
When asked to compare his experience of gaining weight to losing weight, Jo Woo Jin remarked, "I think gaining weight was harder for me because of my body type. When my body got heavier, my joints started hurting. They say gaining 10 kg is like putting a ton of pressure on your joints. Now, my weight is fluctuating between 75-80 kg. If I let myself go, I go up to 80 kg, but if I cut back on carbs, I drop to 75 kg."
When asked if it was challenging to perform action scenes with his bulked-up physique, Jo Woo Jin explained, "Kang Dong Woo's action wasn't flashy. Unlike the flashy action in Steel Rain, we focused on heavy, impactful action — action that can deliver an exhilarating punch. Even so, because I had to fully embody the character while performing the action, it was incredibly difficult."
Jo Woo Jin thinks he is a "very bad dad"
Jo Woo Jin, speaking from his perspective as a father of a seven-year-old daughter, shared, "While filming, I kept thinking, 'I shouldn't be like Kang Dong Woo.' I often ponder what kind of father I should be when my daughter reaches adolescence. Being a dad who frequently has to leave home for long periods because of work makes me feel like a guilty father. It's not something that can be fixed by buying her toys. Emotional connection and empathy with my daughter are crucial, and being apart at such times makes me feel constantly sorry. Like many fathers, I work hard for my family, but isn't that an irony? My daughter's presence has been a great emotional help in portraying the character of Kang Dong Woo. There are some things that only a father can feel and express, and I even discussed these with the director to incorporate them into the character. She's someone I feel deeply sorry and grateful to."
The actor also revealed his daughter doesn't yet know that her father is an actor. Jo explained, "We turn off the TV at home. She just thinks of me as a dad who travels a lot for work. I'm also deliberating over when I should tell her. That's just how things are in my house. I don't have any hierarchy at home, so I just go along with what's decided." He added, "I'm a very bad dad." "For now, I just want to be my daughter's best friend."
He also shared his candid thoughts about the rebellious behavior of his on-screen daughter, Kang Ye Seo (Oh Ye Ju). Jo Woo Jin said, "On the surface, Ye Seo's actions may seem like mere defiance against her father, but I believe there is an intention behind every action of a character. Episodes 7 and 8, will reveal more about why she acted that way. I hope viewers look forward to it. I'm satisfied with Dong Woo's conclusion as well. He comes to realize what he really needs to realize, and I hope viewers pay close attention to that aspect. There are moments in life where turning points may seem incomprehensible, but I think that's something we all experience, perhaps even through this drama. For those wondering, 'Why did Ye Seo act like that?' I believe they'll come to understand, 'Ah, that's why.' Labeling these moments as frustrating or satisfying feels risky. Instead, I hope viewers will think, 'That's why it happened.' I hope people reflect on whether they might also be losing something precious and reconsider where they should be in the present."
"I've heard some describe the drama feels like a whirlwind that suddenly pauses, but the story will return to its original rhythm. I'm very curious about the reactions once everything is revealed. I hope they're positive. I'd like it to be a conclusion that many can relate to and that it becomes a work prompting warm reflection as we approach the end of the year."
