Actor Jung Joon-won Considered Quitting Acting, Felt 'On the Judge's Bench' with First Lead Role

Actor Jung Joon-won revealed that he considered abandoning his acting career during a prolonged period of obscurity, describing the opportunity to play a lead role now as a "miracle."

In a YouTube interview on the channel 'Hajiyoung,' Jung Joon-won discussed the challenges he faced before gaining recognition. He admitted to questioning his suitability for acting, stating, "There were times I thought I shouldn't be an actor." He found the period just before the release of the tvN drama 'Twinkling Watermelon' to be the most difficult.

"Acting requires a lot of luck and being chosen by someone," he explained. "Until I was cast in a project, I wondered if I was the kind of person who shouldn't be an actor." While acknowledging that opportunities eventually arose because he didn't give up on his passion, he cautioned that his experience might not be universally applicable.

When asked by junior actors contemplating quitting, Jung Joon-won found it difficult to offer simple advice. "If I just told them to never give up, I felt like I would be giving false hope and be irresponsible," he shared. He expressed immense gratitude for his current success, feeling that his present situation is a gift. This gratitude fuels his determination to give his best.

Taking on a central role as Gong Hyo-jin's counterpart in 'The Killer of a Married Woman' feels like a significant step. "It's a main character role I've never experienced before, so it feels like I'm on the judge's bench," he said, expressing concern about how viewers will perceive his performance. He hopes to hear that he "portrayed the role well." Despite over a decade in the industry, seeing himself on screen still feels unfamiliar, and he constantly worries about the persuasiveness of his acting. He also acknowledged that his "realistic boyfriend" image, perceived as ordinary rather than glamorous, adds a sense of realism to fantasy projects.