In the SBS drama “Yongpal” (written by Jang Hyuk Rin, directed by Oh Jin Seok and produced by HB Entertainment) Jo Hyun Jae portrayed the exciting role of Han Do Jun. On October 5, in an interview with Newsen, Jo Hyun Jae revealed his end-of-telecast testimony and some behind-the-scene stories.
In “Yongpal”, Jo Hyun Jae transformed himself into a villain. Jo Hyun Jae revealed, “I didn’t feel any burden becoming a villain, however there were many people around me who weren’t sure if it would suit me.”
Jo Hyun Jae added, “However, I have always believed in going my own way. So I told myself not to be afraid, and just express what I believe about my character. I just focused on that.”
Jo Hyun Jae reveals further, “In the beginning when I looked at the script, there was no detailed description for the character Han Do Jun. As the actor portraying that character, that made me worry a little.”
Jo Hyun Jae added, “I portrayed my character in my own way. If you think that I conveyed or expressed my character well, then I am very thankful.”
Regarding the reaction of people around him to his portrayal of Han Do Jun, Jo Hyun Jae said, “I love it every time I hear someone tell me, “You are evil”. At first, when I heard those words, I didn’t realize that it was a compliment.” This statement elicited laughter from those present during the interview.
In “Yongpal” Jo Hyun Jae suffers from illegitimate child complex who forced his half-sister into a vegetative state in order to grab chairmanship of the Hanshin Group from her. Playing the evil Han Do Jun character is the first time Jo Hyun Jae has challenged the villain role since he started his acting career. Jo Hyun Jae totally ruined his formerly gentle image through his acting reversal in “Yongpal”. His compelling and intense acting elicited the assessment that he played the best villain this year.