[INTERVIEW] Jang Dong-gun reflects on aging, new challenges in 'A Normal Family' (2024)

Actor says, 'I was shocked by how old I looked'

By KTimes

Actor Jang Dong-gun, 52, revealed that he was surprised when he saw himself on the monitor while filming "A Normal Family," thinking, "Do I really look this old?" but soon set aside his concerns and fully embraced the role.

In a recent interview in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Jang discussed "A Normal Family," a film that follows four individuals, each living by their own beliefs, whose lives begin to unravel after they witness a crime involving children on CCTV.

Jang plays Jae-gyu, a moral and caring pediatrician. He’s committed to saving lives and holds firm values related to his profession. One day, he’s confronted with shocking CCTV footage showing his own child involved in a crime.

Known for his roles in "Arthdal Chronicles," "Sword of Aramun," and "Rampant," Jang returns to modern drama with "A Normal Family."

"I've often played special or fantasy characters — killers, zombies, and the like. When I first read the script, I thought, 'I’ve never done anything like this before,’” he said.

Taking on realistic character

He also expressed a desire to take on a more realistic character, saying, “I really understood who Jae-gyu is. I felt that I could draw from within myself for this role, rather than pulling a character from outside. That made reading the script exciting.”

However, he admitted to having concerns.

“I discussed with the director whether this film might depict children too negatively,” Jang said. “The children in the film are fantasy-like characters born from the parents' worst fears. Although we sometimes hear about these kinds of stories in the news, I don’t think these characters represent children as a whole.”

He added, “I still remember how I felt when my child started kindergarten. I worried, ‘What if something bad happens when they’re on their own?’ Even though it’s unlikely, these fears are something parents create in their minds.”

Jang’s collaboration with the cast enriched the film. He has known Sul Kyung-gu for a long time, and said, “I first got to know him through his films, and when we met in person, he turned out to be a kind and gentle man, despite his rough on-screen persona. I’ve always wanted to work with him.” Jang also praised Su’s improvisational skills, saying, “I thought, 'You can approach situations like this in such a flexible way.' He has great talent.”

Feeling more at ease with natural self

Jang also said that he learns a lot from working with younger actors.

“I’m not the most confident person. When I work with junior actors, I worry, ‘What if I embarrass myself?’ ‘I have to do well,’ ‘I need to set a good example as a senior actor,’” he said. “Sometimes I’m amazed by their performances. They’re really good, and I have much to learn from them. I don’t take juniors lightly. We’re all colleagues, and we depend on each other. If I face challenges, I also consult with them.”

Jang discovered new aspects of himself while filming "A Normal Family." “I was a bit surprised when I saw the monitor after the first shoot. I thought, ‘Do I really look this old?’ In my previous roles, I wore heavy makeup, but this time I appeared as my natural self on screen,” he said. “But it also made me feel more at ease. I thought, ‘Now I don’t need to check the monitor anymore,’” he added with a laugh.

The film also gave him a chance to reflect on himself. “I wondered, ‘Have I ever thought this deeply about myself before?’ I’ve always been good at making decisions in the moment, but I’ve never been in a situation like the one in the film. For the first time, I imagined it, and I wasn’t confident that I’d always make the right choices,” Jang said.

His introspection became embedded in the film, contributing to the high-quality production that "A Normal Family" has become. "A Normal Family" will premieres on Nov. 16.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.