It was the first time I’d filmed a ‘sex scene’ of that daring level. I experienced a strange mix of emotions; it’s hard to say I was simply nervous, but it wouldn’t be entirely accurate to say I wasn’t nervous at all. There was a subtle tension and heightened sensitivity.

Actor Ji Chang Wook faced unprecedented challenges in Netflix’s The Scandal series , from performing daring ‘intimate’ scenes to embodying a character with complex psychological depth. Despite the series receiving mixed reviews since its release, Ji Chang Wook has emphasized the importance of the work.

In a recent interview about the drama The Scandal, Ji Chang Wook shared, “I think this is a project an actor should try at least once. That’s why I chose this project, and I’m personally satisfied.”

Released on September 18th, The Scandal tells the story of a daring and dangerous love bet between Lady Jo (Son Ye Jin), a woman of exceptional talent far beyond the norms of women’s lives in Joseon, and Jo Won (Ji Chang Wook), the most charming and debonair man of the time. The drama is adapted from the novel Dangerous Liaisons by French writer Pierre Choderlos de Laclos…

Ji Chang Wook plays Jo Won, a man who accepts a bet to seize something he normally wouldn’t have. He shared, “Personally, I really wanted to try this role at least once. Jo-won is an incredibly complex character, a man who loves two women at the same time. I felt this was a very worthwhile role to take on.”

When asked about being compared to Bae Yong Joon in the 2003 film adaptation of ” Untold Scandal ,” Ji Chang Wook said, “Many works have been made based on this story. I know that being compared to Bae Yong Joon, who played this role in the previous film version, is unavoidable. I believe that being judged and compared to others is a destiny for an actor. I just think that I should focus on creating my own version of this work and character.”

Since its release, the work has received mixed reviews: “It’s sad and regrettable that a project I was involved in has to endure such harsh criticism. I can’t possibly be happy about the negative reviews. However, in a way, it’s a reaction I anticipated. This certainly isn’t the kind of project that only receives praise. Even with completely negative feedback, I still want to believe that my choice wasn’t a mistake.”

Working alongside co-star Son Ye Jin brought Ji Chang Wook a very different kind of tension: “The director made a rather clever decision there. It was incredibly awkward having to film this scene in front of a crew I’d just met for the first time. But I felt the conflict between the two characters needed to be effectively portrayed for the work to be truly captivating. I prepared thoroughly so as not to be overshadowed by Son Ye Jin. The atmosphere on set was incredibly tense, almost suffocating. We filmed scenes that lasted over ten minutes, and I acted while completely immersed in the palpable tension in the battle of wits between the two characters.”

Because The Scandal is rated for adult audiences, the drama contains quite a few daring “hot” scenes. Ji Chang Wook, who plays Jo Won, a true romantic figure of the Joseon era, had to perform many “bed scenes” as well as nude scenes: “Nudity wasn’t the focus of the filming. I didn’t go on a rigorous training regimen to sculpt my body just because the film had nude scenes. In fact, if my physique were too perfect, it wouldn’t fit the spirit of the work. When in front of the camera, the level of boldness, the staging, and the actions were all agreed upon with the director, so I just focused on fully conveying the artistic intent. Of course, I also felt some pressure about having to be nude. However, we had a long preparation period before filming, and the conversations with the director during that stage gave me the necessary confidence.”

Speaking about his co-star Nana, he commented that she is “an actress with excellent acting talent and instincts,” adding, “Her acting is very captivating. Nana is the type of actress who always delves deep into the essence of the issue and strives to convey it. We didn’t try to force a comfortable atmosphere for the ‘bed scene,’ instead, that comfort came from the bond we had built throughout the project. We also arranged to film the ‘bed scene’ towards the end of the schedule. Being already close and understanding each other beforehand really helped a lot.”

Looking at Ji Chang Wook’s recent works, one can see a career path that isn’t confined to any particular genre: “Although the character Jo Won in The Scandal was very captivating, it wasn’t a role an actor would easily accept. However, the fact that I dared to take on this role at my current age and stage of my career means a great deal to me. That’s why I believe this will always be a memorable project.”

Source: Compiled from various sources.