The advice Ji Chang-wook would (or won’t) give his younger self
The question, “What advice would you give your younger self?” has become a staple in interviews with Korean stars—and for good reason, too. It offers a moment of introspection and vulnerability, as artists look back on past struggles and fears. It also allows them to present themselves as relatable role models by sharing wisdom gained through experience and hardship.
But most importantly, it often elicits thoughtful, at times, sentimental responses without being too personal in a typically controlled setup.
Ji Chang-wook takes on this question with refreshing pragmatism. For the 38-year-old actor, the best advice he could give his younger self is “to not say anything at all.”
“I think I shouldn’t give any specific advice to myself at that time,” Ji, breaking into a sheepish smile, tells the Philippine media during his recent—and third, overall—visit to the country. “Because all the mistakes, trials, and errors I have made in my [career] are precious to me. So, I will just leave it at that.”
Upcoming projects
His response may come off as either surprising or unsurprising. It’s surprising to those who know him to be warm and sincere, and who expect to see the intensely emotional characters he played in series like “Empress Ki,” “Healer,” and “The Worst of Evil.” It’s unsurprising to those who know him as a candid, consummate professional focused on the present.
Case in point: Choosing which among his projects are his favorites, or which roles he relates to the most. This is something Ji always finds tricky. They’re all “precious” to him, he says, because he worked hard for each one, and they all bring back good memories. But if there’s one thing certain, it’s that inasmuch as he puts parts of himself into every character, every character leaves bits of themselves in him and influences him as a person.
“Every time I finish a project, I find myself different than before. When I try to look back at the person I was, I realize I’m still in the process of evolving,” says Ji, who made his onscreen debut in the 2006 film “Days…”
His upcoming series, “The Manipulated,” could very well make the same imprint on him. In the crime thriller, which also stars Doh Kyung-soo, Lee Kwang-soo, and Jo Yoon-su, Ji plays an everyday man who gets thrown into jail for a heinous crime he didn’t commit.
“Revenge drives him in his pursuit to escape,” says Ji, who’s always on the lookout for new roles and genres to explore.
Music as a respite
The Korean actor wants to try something fresh while continuing to excel at what he’s known for—action, romance, and historical dramas among them. But he’s game for anything, really, that will challenge him and, somehow, make him feel like a newcomer all over again. “Although it has been several years since I started my career, I feel like it’s only the beginning. With every passing year, I’m finding a new, full [version of] myself.” Ji says.
Aside from “The Manipulated,” Ji is set to star with Korean icon Jun Ji-hyun in the zombie flick “The Colony,” and is also in talks to co-star with her in the fantasy romance drama “Human X Gumiho.” Needless to say, the actor’s plate is full. And with his schedule packed with shoots and various engagements, sleep and waking hours are irregular, to say the least.
If he has the chance, Ji tries his best to sleep well to recover, and exercise to keep himself fit. “It’s really important to take care of your body and health,” he says. When he’s especially stressed—and such moments can be unavoidable—meeting with friends for coffee or a simple meal never fails to cheer him up. Sometimes, a bit of alone time also does the trick.
But when he’s truly in a bind and has no room for those, Ji turns to music for some respite on his way to filming locations. He listens to jazz, hip-hop, and K-pop; it varies day to day. “I just focus on the music, do meditation, or think of nothing at all,” he shares.
A sound mind and heart
Thankfully, the actor can always count on the love and warmth of his fans around the world to lift his spirits. Filipino fans are no exception.
“Whenever I feel your love, hospitality, and positivity… when I hear the cheers, it actually gives me the desire to come back to the Philippines,” says Ji, who remained gracious and upbeat throughout the chat. He delighted the press with finger hearts and obliged them with photo ops before taking the stage at the IAM Worldwide “Domin8” concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, which also featured the K-pop group NTX and the P-pop acts BINI and BGYO.
Traveling to different places and being recognized by people never ceases to feel new to him. “It’s amazing and surprising,” he says. And these encounters, he adds, only inspire him to continue choosing better projects and honing his skills to become an even better actor.
But that’s not always easy, nor something he can do on his own. Longevity requires not only looks and talent but also “mental strength and a sound mind and heart.” And still, he relies on the guidance of those around him to help him keep moving forward.
“It’s also about not giving up… having precious people around me,” Ji says. “All these complementary things together have helped me maintain the career I have today.”
Perhaps that’s one piece of advice he could give his younger self.
