Heart-racing moments with Ji Chang-wook
Staring at the profile of Ji Chang-wook is without a doubt the privilege of having to interview him. His sharp jawline, inquisitive eyes and perfectly sculpted nose are truly captivating. Beyond the screen, his allure is equally mesmerizing.
I found him soaking in the Manila skyline from the Club boardroom of Grand Hyatt Manila. He was like a delighted child who was being introduced to a new world for the first time.
Later, he shifted his focus afar, to Edsa Guadalupe and his massive Bench billboards—a testament to his status as brand endorser for the Filipino brand. Ji has the honor of being only the second Korean artist to return as global Benchsetter—Bench brand ambassador—for the second time.
This was our second encounter, and he was visibly more relaxed, sporting a casual white tee with an embroidered “B” on the front, loose denim jeans and brown leather shoes. His warm smile and easygoing demeanor transformed our Sunday morning.
With playful flourish, he showed off the shirt he was wearing, boasting of its comfort. “They are very comfortable to wear,” he said. He also expressed his satisfaction with the perfume line he was endorsing. “Their scents are very refreshing. They’re very good.”
Revisiting his past visit, he shared his joy at meeting his Filipino fans.
New drama soon
“Meeting the fans is such a happy thing to do. I saw how the Filipino fans happily welcomed me,” he said. His eyes had welled up during the last fan meeting here, a memory he recounted with a big smile. When pressed about it, however, he playfully denied it.
“I never cry,” he declared, looking me straight in the eye. We both laughed. Ji went on to talk about what he’s been up to lately. He said that he had a rest for a month and it’s been very peaceful for him.
“I am going to start working on a drama again. The rest gave me more time to think about it,” he said.
He said that sometimes his personal life and work life overlap. He might be taking a break, but he’ll pop out in an event or two. Is this trip a restful time for him? “In a way, it is,” he replied.
(Later that day, Ji would charm his fans again at the Araneta Coliseum for the Bench meet-and-greet, “Moments with Ji Chang-wook.”)
His dedication to fitness was evident in his toned arms, a sight that elicited enthusiastic approval in the room. When asked about what makes his heart race outside of workouts, he replied with characteristic humor: “Nothing makes my heart flutter anymore.”
With over 18 years in the industry, Ji has matured. He has worked on successful projects like “Healer,” “Suspicious Partner” and “Welcome to Samdal-ri.” He said that while there’s no fixed formula on how he chooses projects, he said he values both the script and the collaborative process.
“I don’t really have a certain formula … There are times that I decide based on the script, and then there are times I choose to work on a script because of the people I could be working with,” he said.
Confidence
There’s confidence about him that probably comes from being a seasoned actor whose popularity has never waned. But it could also be because of how he looks at life.
“There are a lot of inspirational things that I see and hear. But the motto that I live by is, ‘Don’t give up.’ There are times when I am struggling and there are obstacles in life, that sometimes I also break down. But I always think that I need to keep moving forward… That’s the strength of my life,” he said.
A lighthearted game revealed his poetic side. He said the word “magic” reminds him of his childhood. “It’s a rare moment that I had when I was young.” Travel is his escape, friendship his comfort, and music his solace.
A perfect day for him is a day of simple things. “It’s a day when I could have a great sleep, get some exercise, eat good food,” he said.
Our photo together marked the end of our delightful second encounter with Ji. His charm, sincerity, and professionalism remained constant. His genuine connection with fans and colleagues made our interaction special. For me, he remains one of the Bench’s nicest ambassadors.
