The reason Jo Jung-suk chose “Captivating the King” as his comeback work 3 years after “Hospital Playlist 2”
Actor Jo Jung-suk of tvN’s “Captivating the King” raised expectations for his melodrama chemistry with Shin Se-kyung through an interview
“Captivating the King” depicts the cruel love story of Yi In (Jo Jung-suk), a miserable king who has no one around him that he can trust and is in danger of both royal and political power struggles, and Kang Hee-soo (Shin Se-kyung), who tries to deceive him for revenge but ends up falling in love with him.
Jo Jung-suk chose “Captivating the King” as his comeback project after “Hospital Playlist Season 2”. He expressed excitement about the drama’s rapid development as well as the characters’ emotions and relationships.
In “Captivating the King”, Jo Jung-suk plays the role of King Yi In, showcasing his first portrayal of a king in his career. He mentioned that the character was fascinating beyond social status, and he was attracted to the role. This marks a significant change for Jo Jung-suk, who experiences rapid social ascent in this drama after historical works like “The Face Reader”, “The Fatal Encounter” and “Nokdu Flower”.
Jo Jung-suk emphasized the differences in his portrayal of King Yi In compared to his previous characters. While he has been loved for his cheerful and bright characters in the past, this time, he transforms into a character with seriousness. He shared his approach to balancing the historical and modern aspects of the dialogue to suit the historical genre without feeling alien.
Regarding the external changes in his character, Jo Jung-suk hinted at the character’s transition from Grand Prince Jinan to King Yi In, mentioning discussions with the director about the addition of facial hair for a more outwardly imposing appearance.
In anticipation of the on-screen chemistry with Shin Se-kyung, Jo Jung-suk humorously commented that there’s much to say about their acting synergy and mentioned how enjoyable and happy it was to work with an actress he admires.
Jo Jung-suk expressed his expectations for viewers to enjoy the drama, especially the ending scene that left a lasting impression on him. He emphasized the presence of subtle humor throughout the series and invited viewers to join him in watching the characters’ lives unfold, expressing hope that viewers will look forward to the melodramatic aspect of the relationship between King Yi In and Kang Hee-soo.
“Captivating the King”, directed by Jo Nam-guk and written by Kim Seon-deok, is set to premiere the first two episodes consecutively on January 21st, 2024.
Source: Daum
