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| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-10-08 07:15:25
SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- "After more than 20 years of acting, I’ve always been thirsty for quality work and have been waiting for a great character. This project feels like the beginning. It’s like I’ve finally fastened the first button,” said actor Ko Jun when reflecting on the recently concluded MBC drama "Black Out," which he believes marked a turning point in his career.
During an interview with reporters on October 7 at a café in Jongno, Seoul, Ko Jun shared, “I’m actually a pretty shy person, so I don’t often make such recommendations, but for the first time, I encouraged my friends to watch this show.” He added, "From now on, if anyone asks me, 'What shows have you been in?' I’ll proudly mention my role as Noh Sang-cheol in Black Out."
Ko Jun played a significant role in Black Out, leaving a strong impression with his intense performance, which contributed to the drama’s success. The show is based on a German novel, Schneewittchen muss sterben (Snow White Must Die), and follows the story of Go Jeong-woo (played by Byun Yo-han), who served 11 years in prison for the alleged murder of two high school classmates. The plot centers around his quest to uncover the truth behind the case.
Ko Jun portrayed Noh Sang-cheol, a detective who reinvestigates the case that originally convicted Go Jeong-woo. Once a detective in the Major Crimes Unit, Sang-cheol is demoted to the police station in the fictional town of Mucheon after being disciplined for using excessive force on criminals. The story picks up when Go Jeong-woo is released from prison around the same time.
Sang-cheol’s character has a tragic backstory—his fiancée was murdered in retaliation by a criminal he had previously apprehended. This trauma causes him to harbor a deep hatred for all criminals and drives his excessive methods. As a result, he initially views Go Jeong-woo with hostility. However, as events unfold in Mucheon, he begins to realize that the real culprit remains at large, eventually offering Go Jeong-woo his support.
From the middle of the drama, the partnership between Go Jeong-woo and Noh Sang-cheol in their search for the true perpetrator became a key element, driving viewership ratings from 2% up to a peak of 8.8%. The show was praised for its intricate plot and the strong performances of its cast.
Sang-cheol is a character who struggles with his painful past, leading him to take out his anger on criminals, but he eventually acknowledges his mistake in misjudging Go Jeong-woo. By helping clear Jeong-woo's name, Sang-cheol regains his true self and advises him to "live an ordinary life."
Ko Jun spoke about working with Byun Yo-han, describing their relationship as mirroring their characters in the show. “At first, I wasn’t that close with Yo-han (Byun Yo-han), but as time went on, we grew closer, just like Jeong-woo and Sang-cheol,” he explained. “I tend to keep my distance from fellow actors if our characters are distant in the story, and get closer if they are supposed to be close. It makes everything feel more authentic on set.”
Ko Jun added, “My acting style is always about responding to the other actor’s performance, so I never have bad chemistry with a co-star. I even joked that we might win the ‘Best Couple Award’ at the end-of-year awards ceremony.”
Since his debut in the 2001 film Wanee & Junah, Ko Jun has steadily built his career across both films and dramas. His last TV appearance was in KBS 2TV’s Cheat on Me If You Can in 2020, making his return to the small screen after a four-year hiatus, partly due to the delayed release of Black Out, which finished filming in 2022.
During his break, Ko Jun gained attention for his unexpected foray into painting. Earlier this year, he showcased his work in the “SoHo's Got Seoul” exhibition at the Park West Gallery in SoHo, New York.
“I tore my cruciate ligament twice and had to undergo surgeries, which kept me away from acting for a long time,” Ko Jun explained. “While bedridden, I fell into depression, and someone suggested I try art therapy, which is how I started painting.”
Ko Jun, who had been drawing since his kindergarten days, picked up the brush again after years of focusing on his acting career. Of the eight paintings he displayed at the exhibition, seven were sold. However, he has no plans to become a full-time artist. “I even received an offer to sign a contract as an artist, but I turned it down,” he said, smiling. “Painting was meant for healing. I’ve seen how hard professional artists work, and I don't feel right calling myself a painter lightly.”
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