“I want to evoke curiosity, make people wonder, 'How would Cho Jung Seok handle this role?',” says the popular South Korean actor, as his latest historical drama Captivating The King, concludes its hit run with the highest viewership ratings in Korea, as per Nielsen. Made by Studio Dragon, the period drama marked Cho Jung Seok's (also addressed as Jo Jung Suk) return to the screens three years after his endearing performance as the doctor and single father Lee Ik Jun in the hit medical drama, Hospital Playlist 1 and 2. In Captivating a King, he plays the once-exiled and conflicted King Yi In. Labeled a spy by his own, he is also a skilled 'baduk', a board game player. The only person who can go toe-to-toe with him is a woman masquerading as a man in the royal court, Kang Hee Soo (Shin Se Kyung), who is waiting to exact her revenge on him. In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Cho Jung Seok says delving into the mind space of his character was a huge draw for him. “The fast-paced plot and the emotions and relationships between the characters stood out like nothing else I've ever seen. I was instantly captivated when I first read the script. It's not easy to portray someone who is destined to be in a high position and eventually accepts it, who always thinks one step ahead and is suspicious of everyone he meets. So I focused more on the psyche of this man and tried to bring out the intricacies and aspects of his personality in every scene.” A well-known name in musical theater, Cho Jung Seok made his professional debut on stage and starred in several Korean productions of popular shows such as Nutcracker, Grease, and Spring Awakening. However 2012 was a landmark year in his television and film career, with critically acclaimed performances in the film Architecture 101 and the drama The King 2 Hearts. Completing two decades in showbiz the 43-year-old actor says over the years his sole aim has been to be a nonconformist in his profession, “When I come across an intriguing script or role, I feel a strong desire to perform well. In the past, I might have wanted labels like 'a trusted actor,' but now I aspire to be an actor with various possibilities, not confined by any particular label.” From playing the professional chef who runs into a woman with the ability to see ghosts in Oh My Ghost, the macho star reporter who finds himself in a difficult situation in Don’t Dare to Dream, to playing a revolutionary in The Nokdu Flower, the actor who has showcased his versatility across genres says there is no method to his process. The success of Studio Dragon’s latest shows, Marry My Husband, Twinkling Watermelon and Gyeongseong Creature once again reaffirms the popularity of South Korean hurdle past the language barrier worldwide. As K-dramas continue to break viewing records beyond home shores, Cho Jung Seok says it is a time to thrive for actors. “It's both fascinating and incredibly pride-inducing to see Korean content receiving widespread love globally. As its influence continues to grow, I am amazed, and as an actor, it sparks ambition in me. Because the appetite and desire for acting are boundless, I want to challenge myself with genres and roles I haven't tried before”. India is one of the greatest consumers of Korean pop culture, Cho Jung Seok confesses being a fan of Indian cinema and food. “I want to express my gratitude (to the Indian fans) first. I sincerely thank everyone who sends support from afar and watches our dramas. I enjoyed watching "The 3 Idiots" from Indian cinema. I like naan and curry, and I enjoy tandoori chicken as well”. After wrapping Captivating The King, Cho Jung Seok is all set to make his debut, this time as a singer in the reality show, A-List to Playlist on Netflix.
