Jang Hyuk reveals 'The Slave Hunters' ad's secret: 'I acted with genuine belief'

Actor Jang Hyuk has shared the surprising story behind the massive success of a Gmarket advertisement that featured him reprising his iconic role as 'Dae-gil' from the hit drama 'The Slave Hunters.' The ad, which has garnered approximately 26.55 million views on YouTube, showcases Jang in character, delivering lines like "I like lots of eggs. I like Omega. I like aloe. I like radish greens. I like Wool Shampoo." His serious demeanor and exaggerated portrayal of Dae-gil's mannerisms became a viral sensation.

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I truly thought, 'I like lots of eggs.' I went in with that mindset. It was method acting. If I didn't feel the emotion of liking it, those lines wouldn't come out.

Appearing on the YouTube channel 'Jjanhan Hyung Shin Dong Yup,' Jang clarified that his performance was not intended as comedy. He stated that director Jang Hang-jun instructed him to act seriously, emphasizing that "comedy doesn't work if you try too hard to be funny." Jang revealed that he approached the role with genuine conviction, believing in the product's merits. "I truly thought, 'I like lots of eggs,'" he explained, describing his method as "method acting" where he needed to feel the positive emotions associated with the product for the lines to feel authentic.

Despite the ad's success, Jang admitted to a moment of near-distraction. While delivering the line about eggs was manageable, the sound effects associated with a washing machine in the advertisement created a challenging echo. "There was a slight sense of crisis then," he recalled, explaining his focus to maintain seriousness. "I had to show sincerity, and if I had laughed, people would have thought it was fake. So, I concentrated hard."

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Comedy doesn't work if you try too hard to be funny. The director's order wasn't that. If I had tried to be funny, I think I would have felt a lot of 'hyun-ta' (a sense of disillusionment or reality check).

Jang Hyuk originally portrayed the ruthless slave hunter Lee Dae-gil in the 2010 KBS2 drama 'The Slave Hunters,' captivating audiences with his intense performance and unique speech patterns. His recent collaboration with director Jang Hang-jun for the Gmarket ad successfully revived this memorable character, proving its enduring appeal and Jang's versatility as an actor.

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There was a slight sense of crisis then. I had to show sincerity, and if I had laughed, people would have thought it was fake. So, I concentrated hard.