[On the Record] Jang Dong-yoon "Instinctively Drawn to Roles... I Love Movies"

Actor Jang Dong-yoon Interview

Movie 'Akmadeul' Psychopath Killer Role
"Acting = Challenge, Fun in Finding New Aspects"

Actor Jang Dong-yoon (30) became an actor after catching a robber at a convenience store. In 2015, he contributed to apprehending a knife-wielding robber and received a police commendation. This happened when he was 23 years old, attending Hanyang University after moving from his hometown Daegu to Seoul. His brave act was warmly featured in the news, attracting attention, and his agency at the time recruited him after seeing it. What seemed like a coincidence turned into a destined path to becoming an actor.

On the morning of the 29th, Jang Dong-yoon, whom we met at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, "I became an actor because I was lucky. Just as a janitor cleans and a doctor treats patients, I am also an office worker who acts and gets paid."

Jang Dong-yoon [Photo by TCO Co., Ltd. The Contents On]

He debuted in the drama Game Company Female Employees (2016) and has appeared in dramas such as School 2017, Ddanpyo Girls (2018), Joseon Romantic Comedy Nokdujeon (2019), Search (2020), and films like Beautiful Days (2018) and Wolf Hunting (2022).

With a clear and fair complexion, a mischievous smile, and a hearty laugh, Jang Dong-yoon has the power to disarm audiences. Even while playing various roles, he fits in naturally without any sense of incongruity, thanks to the "human warmth" he exudes. Meeting him again for an interview after a year, he was still honest and down-to-earth.

Jang Dong-yoon played Jin-hyuk, a psychopathic murderer, in the film The Devils (directed by Kim Jae-hoon), which opens on the 5th of next month. Having mostly taken on sweet and cute images until now, he reveals a new side of himself. He did not hold back his body in the intense action scenes. Although he sustained minor and major injuries during filming, he brushed them off and kept going.

Perhaps he felt a thirst for an image transformation as an actor. He began, "I don't know what kind of image people expect from me." He continued, "I believe movies should be fun first and foremost. Actors are professionals who live other people's lives, so they take on roles that instinctively attract them."

Jang Dong-yoon said, "Of course, it would be great to keep using the same weapon once you find one. Soccer players become global stars just by shooting well. It would be nice to stand out in something as an actor, but I don't have one thing that I am exceptionally good at."

That is why acting is attractive to him. He said, "Even if one work is very successful or good, I would have looked for something else. I always find charm in challenging new roles or projects. There is also the fun of discovering new sides of myself. As a popular culture artist and actor, I want to be fulfilled by various audiences and genres."

Just as he was getting serious, he spoke candidly. Jang Dong-yoon said, "Some might say, 'Jang Dong-yoon playing a serial killer?' There may be concerns, but I think those worries will be dispelled once they see the movie."

Jang Dong-yoon [Photo by TCO Co., Ltd. The Contents On]

He added, "At the The Devils preview, many fellow actors, seniors, directors, and producers came, and after watching the film, I think it gave the impression that I would fit well in other works too. They probably hadn't expected this side of me, so they hesitated to offer casting, but I showed a new side. Jokingly, I am satisfied that my value as an actor has increased." He laughed and added, "Having a wider spectrum means fewer chances of becoming unemployed," giving another smile.

In an interview with this publication last year, Jang Dong-yoon revealed that although he majored in Economics and Finance at university, he did not even have a common stock account or credit card. When asked if that was still the case, he nodded. He firmly said, "I don't have the ability to make profits through financial investments." He added, "I can't do work that involves staring at something all day. I prefer to do something honest and straightforward."

He said, "It is important to live with physical and mental health." He continued, "I try to separate work and private life. Acting is just my job, no different from others. If I think it's special, stress increases. That's because I feel I have to protect my honor and privacy and be better. I just don't like being stressed," his eyes sparkling.

Fran?ois Truffaut, the "eternal portrait of a cinephile" and leader of the Nouvelle Vague, once said, "There are three ways to love movies. First, watching the same movie twice; second, writing about movies (criticism); and third, making movies yourself."

Jang Dong-yoon recently achieved the last way of loving movies. He made his directorial debut with a 21-minute short film Be My Ears, invited to the 27th Bucheon Fantastic Film Festival, which opened on the 29th.

He said, "I love movies. Since middle school, I have watched many independent and art films. As a cinephile, I am a big fan. As a fan who loves movies, I feel sorry that the film market is struggling."

Jang Dong-yoon [Photo by TCO Co., Ltd. The Contents On]

He said directing was not easy. "In school, I used to write poetry as a hobby, and I had a strong desire for creative work like writing scripts. I got inspiration from my habit of observing people. There is also a meaningful connection. By chance, I became an actor and got closer to the profession of film director, which gave me courage," he said.

He reflected, "My first directing was clumsy, but many people helped me, so I learned a lot. It also helped my acting. I gained an objective perspective as a director." Then he laughed, saying, "But I realized that doing directing and acting at the same time is a tough job."

Jang Dong-yoon will attend the GV (Guest Visit, Q&A with the audience) held during the film festival period.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.