지창욱의 필모그래피
Some thoughts on Ji Chang Wook's filmography and the characters he has portrayed.
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1. The Manipulated
Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes
A year of waiting for a new project from Chang Wook, and unfortunately, a major disappointment, though not entirely surprising. I don't know of any remake that's truly good, especially when the original work is brilliant. And "Fabricated City" is one of my favorite films, regardless of era, genre, or origin, so the bar was definitely set too high for "The Manipulated."
I watched all 12 episodes, alternating between boredom, genuine interest in the scenes with Chang Wook, sighs, and eye-rolls at the absurdities of the script. For such a big-budget production, I found the directing quite poor and disappointing at times. Several times, I was genuinely astonished by the mediocre quality of the direction in certain scenes. As for the script, it's riddled with useless, uninteresting characters (the "bad guys" of the story are truly ridiculous) and, above all, a profoundly absurd and tedious plot. The initial premise, as with "Fabricated City," is very interesting, but what they did with it is truly disappointing.
The only positive thing that stands out for me in this drama is Chang Wook's consistently impressive and poignant dramatic performance. On the other hand, his character, Park Tae Jung, didn't impress me much. I even found him quite inconsistent at times. Kwon Yoo, from "Fabricated City," represents the archetype of the anti-hero to me, in a way, but nothing like that with Park Tae Jung. While Chang Wook played his role wonderfully, the character himself didn't really impress me in the way the screenwriter developed him. -
2. Gangnam B-Side
Korean Drama - 2024, 8 episodes
Similar to "The Worst of Evil," it's not a genre I particularly enjoy, though I do occasionally watch it. Plot-wise, "Gangnam B-Side" is interesting, with good characters and a solid first half, but the story development disappointed me somewhat from the middle of the drama onward. I found the last episode messy and the ending a bit boring. While some plot twists are interesting, I found the story overall quite predictable, and many events seem too convenient to serve the development, lacking conviction and naturalness. The character of Kang Dong Woo, in particular, struck me as rather dim-witted in its writing. However, the entire cast did an excellent job, which isn't surprising given the extensive experience of the actors in this drama.
Yoon Gil Ho (real name Kim Min Seok) is an ambivalent character. He's an extremely violent pimp, which, at first glance, doesn't exactly make him very sympathetic. But he hates drugs and junkies and fights against dealers. He also tries, in his own way, to protect the girls who work under his wing, and he demonstrates great loyalty and reliability. Magnificently portrayed by Chang Wook, this character is truly cool, seductive, and even a little touching. Once again, a superb acting performance, and even though, as he often says, Chang Wook isn't too fond of action scenes, he pulls them off perfectly and exudes an incredible aura when he performs them, which makes him all the more brilliant. -
3. Queen Woo
Korean Drama - 2024, 8 episodes
I was eagerly awaiting "Queen Woo." It was Chang Wook first historical drama since the phenomenal "Empress Ki" ten years prior, so I was very excited. Unfortunately, my expectations weren't met at all.
The plot is very interesting. The historical events depicted have all the elements of a grand and epic story. However, the production was unsatisfactory. The screenwriter altered or ignored certain historical facts (which is normal for a fictional adaptation of historical events and figures), but I didn't appreciate the result. They added unnecessary characters, which I deeply dislike in historical productions. They also added a mature, violent, and crude aspect to the drama, which, while potentially interesting, is also overdone in some sex scenes that seemed unnecessary. The cinematography is generally good, with beautiful costumes, sets, and staging. However, I wasn't very impressed with the production and editing of the episodes. The CGIs were really quite poor, which was disappointing. On the contrary, the casting is generally good, and many characters are interesting, but many lack depth or development too. So I have mixed feelings about this drama, with some positive aspects, but also others that I really disliked.
And then there's Chang Wook, who plays one of the great kings of Goguryeo, King Gogukcheon. Brilliant. The performance is impeccable. He perfectly embodies the king, and he's certainly one of the most interesting and best-acted characters in the drama. However, I don't particularly like this character because the screenwriter chose a way of portraying him that I don't really appreciate, with a dark side that, in my opinion, doesn't correspond to the historical portrait we have of King Gogukcheon from historical sources. -
4. Revolver
Korean Movie - 2024
Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this film. I didn't know what to expect; the plot seemed interesting, but that was about it. So I was pleasantly surprised by the development of the story and the characters. There's not much action; it's more of a psychological thriller. The story is fairly simple, but there are also many unknowns from the beginning that are gradually revealed throughout the film, which I appreciated. That, and also the fact that everything doesn't end at the end of the film; some developments remain unknown or almost unresolved, in a way. The production is excellent, with beautifully shot scenes, and I particularly enjoyed the music. The characters are also well-written. They are all very distinct and, for me, all share a certain loser quality. The acting, of course, with this cast, and especially Jeon Do Yeon, is brilliant.
Chang Wook isn't very present on screen throughout the entire film, despite his character being central to the story. It's closer to "Hard Hit" than "Fabricated City," which was a bit of a disappointment. He plays his character, Andy, perfectly. However, it's impossible to truly like him, nor to hate him. He made me laugh, and at one point, I felt a little sorry for him, because he's just a pathetic, wealthy thug, incapable of taking responsibility for his actions and relying solely on others. Nevertheless, because it's Chang Wook, he has a certain endearing quality, and aspects of him that made me appreciate his presence nonetheless. -
5. Welcome to Samdal-ri
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
As a romantic comedy, this drama has everything I dislike about the genre: lots of unnecessary flashbacks, overly dramatic beginnings and endings, too many Korean clichés, and overly stereotypical and predictable secondary characters and storyline. But that's to be expected in a Korean drama of this type. On the other hand, I enjoyed the Jeju setting and the main plot as a whole. It was a pleasant and touching story, with truly moving scenes and relatable characters. It's always nice to see the lives of ordinary people and their struggles (even if there are some very stereotypical characters, which are necessary for the drama's comedic aspect, after all). All the actors are truly brilliant, and the acting was excellent (I adore Kim Mi Kyung, a special mention for her).
As for Chang Wook's character, Cho Yong Pil, it's difficult, if not impossible, not to love him. He's simply adorable, a hopelessly romantic and cheerful soul. A brilliant and endearing character, which is always a good way for Chang Wook to shine, and he has great chemistry with Shin Hye Song, so Yong Pil and Sam Dal make a very cute couple.
I also loved the covers of Cho Yong Pil's original songs. -
6. The Worst of Evil
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
This isn't my favorite genre, even though I enjoy action and appreciate certain police/thriller series or films (especially psychological dramas). This drama was nonetheless interesting because it takes place in an earlier era (the 90s) and presents the world of the Korean mafia and its connections to the Japanese and Chinese mafias. However, some plot developments, like the fake romances, seemed completely unnecessary or far-fetched. The overall production was very good, and the acting of all the actors was impeccable. I do have one small reservation, though, about Wi Ha Jun, who wasn't quite up to the task in my opinion. I like him a lot, and his acting was just as good as everyone else's, but his image doesn't really fit the role of the mafia boss, in my view.
Of course, all the praise goes to Chang Wook for this drama, who did a remarkable job in the role of undercover police officer Park Joon Mo. The way he portrays how he's torn between so many emotions and moral conflicts throughout the drama is incredible. A true masterpiece of acting. The character himself isn't my favorite, but he's very interesting from a moral and psychological perspective. -
7. If You Wish Upon Me
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
I was surprised by the comedic aspects of this drama. The story development and production, however, left me a little disappointed. In fact, too many genres were mixed together; the story was sometimes a bit disjointed, many subplots weren't very connected to the main plot, and there were too many Korean clichés for my taste. Especially in the second half, unfortunately.
The drama's main message is excellent, and many scenes and characters are both touching and heartbreaking. The acting of all the actors was brilliant. The soundtrack is also excellent and perfectly complements the theme. I still listen to many of the songs from the drama.
Yoon Gyeo Re is a character I both like and dislike at the same time. ^^ At first, he's charming, but also very annoying. As the story progresses, he becomes more endearing. But I expected more from this character. I felt that its potential, particularly Chang Wook's acting talent, wasn't fully utilized. Nevertheless, he brilliantly portrayed the complexity and vulnerability of this character (he even made me cry...). So, while not my favorite character, he remains very endearing. -
8. The Sound of Magic
Korean Drama - 2022, 6 episodes
Thanks to its musical aspect, this drama is unique among all the ones I've seen so far, and Ri Eul is a truly unique character in Chang Wook's entire filmography. The production is impeccable, in my opinion. With only six episodes, the pacing is brisk without being rushed, and the story is well-developed. The soundtrack is truly excellent, the acting of all the actors is flawless, and it's a superb musical drama, with a good balance between the musical numbers and the rest of the story.
Ri Eul is truly unique. I really love the duality of the character and her childlike side. Chang Wook is dazzling in this role and excels as a magician. His relationship with his parrot, Beauty, is also very sweet. It's a short drama, and the character he plays is really interesting, so I wish the story had focused more on him, as I wanted to learn more about him, but it was still a perfect role for him. He is, once again, incredibly skilled at portraying any emotion and making us feel it brilliantly.
Ri Eul is one of my favorite characters portrayed by Chang Wook (along with Ta Hwan, Kwon Yoo, and Park Jae Won). -
9. Hard Hit
Korean Movie - 2021
I really enjoyed this film. It's the kind of action-packed psychological thriller I love to watch. Excellent production and excellent acting. Jo Woo Jin is a superb actor, and I think he played this character particularly well, as did Jin Kyung. The story's development is well thought out.
Chang Wook plays a very interesting role in this film. Once again, he's a complex character. The villain of the story, but one we want to understand and can't completely hate because of his difficult past and his reasons for acting the way he does, in a way. He does morally wrong things, but he's a benevolent villain. Jin Woo has a brief but incredibly impressive screen presence. Chang Wook's facial expressions and emotions are perfect. And we're treated to his beautiful voice (even when he swears ^^) throughout the film. I really enjoyed this film and this character much more than I expected. -
10. Lovestruck in the City
Korean Drama - 2020, 17 episodes
I give it 10 stars. I really love the concept and story of this drama, especially the interviews and flashbacks. I found it to be a clever and very interesting way to tell the characters' stories. I'm not usually a fan of romances, especially romantic comedies, but this one was different and touched me. It remains my favorite romantic drama so far.
Chang Wook and Kim Ji Won have incredible chemistry. The characters and their relationships are also very realistic and endearing, which makes it really special to me. Everything feels natural because they are imperfect people in an imperfect world. Of course, there are some clichés (it's a romantic comedy after all ^^), but the drama stays true to its plot, and I couldn't find anything to criticize in the end. I really wanted to watch the next episode after each one ended, which is, I think, the best feeling I can get from watching a drama.
Our Chang Wook really shines in it. Park Jae Won's character is one of my favorites in his filmography. He demonstrates what an excellent actor he is, embodying his characters' feelings with a wide range of emotions in this drama. I felt both happy and sad with him while watching. Park Jae Won has a slightly annoying side, but in a good way—the kind that makes you appreciate him even more and find him endearing. -
11. Backstreet Rookie
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
I loved this romantic comedy much more than I expected. Not being a fan of the genre, I wasn't expecting much, even though Chang Wook usually makes me appreciate love stories. Behind its comedic surface, this drama portrays the realistic and profound struggles of ordinary people's daily lives, and I really enjoyed that. The cast and actors are excellent, especially those playing Dae Hyun's parents (special mention for Kim Sun Young and Lee Byung Joon). The story itself isn't exceptional, but its execution is well done, and the relationship between Chang Wook and Kim You Jung's characters is interesting.
Chang Wook has once again demonstrated his great acting talent with this character, whom he brilliantly portrayed through a wide range of emotions. The story is simple, depicting the everyday struggles of ordinary people without any major plot twists, but to be honest, this is one of Chang Wook's best performances. I think Choi Dae Hyun is one of his most endearing characters. -
12. Melting Me Softly
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Being a romantic comedy, I wasn't expecting much from this one, even though the science fiction aspect was initially interesting. The initial plot is engaging, and the beginning is quite successful. Unfortunately, the story development wasn't great and became tedious in the second half. Furthermore, the romance between Ma Dong Chan and Go Mi Ran felt out of place. I didn't find them very compatible. I think both actors portrayed their characters very well, but their love story felt a bit forced, and I thought they would have been better paired with other characters. However, the acting was good overall, and I appreciated the dynamic between the characters.
This is one of Chang Wook's least favorite dramas, but it's not bad, and he did an excellent job. His acting is very good, and I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Ma Dong Chan and his family. It's true that nothing particularly stood out about this character, and therefore, nothing in his acting for this drama was particularly memorable. -
13. The Bros
Korean Movie - 2017
It's not the best film ever made, but it's still entertaining, with an original plot that explores much deeper themes on serious subjects than the initial, superficial humor suggests. The cast is interesting and the actors are good.
Chang Wook plays the young Lee Choon Bae, who only appears in one scene, a flashback, towards the end of the film. He's a charming and lovestruck young man, which is always a pleasant side of him to see. And it's a real treat to see him wearing a hanbok. He's truly handsome. -
14. Suspicious Partner
Korean Drama - 2017, 40 episodes
I'm not usually a fan of romance-focused dramas, but the serious tone of the story, centered around the theme of justice, was good and made it truly enjoyable. The plot is interesting and well-developed, even if it does contain a few annoying Korean clichés. There's a good mix of serious topics, light comedy, and romance. Noh Ji Wook and Eun Bong Hee make a really likable couple, and the chemistry between Chang Wook and Nam Ji Hyun was perfect for this romance.
I also really enjoyed Chang Wook's performance in this film. He makes his character seem like the ideal boyfriend. But the charismatic side of the prosecutor and the lawyer was really appealing. A successful blend that shows how versatile he is. -
15. Fabricated City
Korean Movie - 2017
I love this film. I give it 10 stars. And it makes me want to see Chang Wook act in more films as he gets older, because I'm sure he can become a world-renowned actor thanks to roles like this. The specificity of a role in a film, in my opinion, gives a character much more presence and power, and Kwon Yoo is exactly that for me. A charismatic and powerful character, despite his flaws.
The opening scene of this film is splendid and is among my favorite action scenes. The story is truly captivating, with many twists and turns, and right up to the end, the development is really good and surprising. I don't want to say more, because I think it's best to discover it by watching the film. I don't think anyone who enjoys action films and thrillers could dislike this one.
Kwon Yoo is a character that allowed Chang Wook to showcase his full range of acting talent. This is one of my favorite characters out of all the ones he's played. I really wish he could/would act in more films, because he's a very talented and versatile actor, as this role perfectly demonstrates. He's simply brilliant in this film. -
16. 7 First Kisses
Korean Special - 2016, 8 episodes
The drama as a whole is a charming and funny story. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much, as I was mainly interested in Chang Wook's role. The episodes are very short, each with a different main character, and linked by the central character, a woman searching for her first kiss. And she'll get lucky. ^^ It's not a grand story, but it's enjoyable to watch.
Reminiscent of his beloved character in "The K2," Chang Wook delivers an excellent action scene, as well as an intimate and romantic one in the short episode where he appears. It's enjoyable, and it features a great appearance from him, along with other actors I also appreciate. -
17. The K2
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
One of my 10-star dramas, and not just because of Chang Wook. Action, politics, romance, with a marginalized character caught up in intrigues of power, family, and love. This drama tackles many themes I appreciate, and everything is well-balanced. The story development is excellent right up to the last episode. It's one of the few Korean dramas where I truly wish there was another season, or simply that the story had continued over several episodes. The production is flawless, as is the casting, and the acting is superb.
I love the character of Kim Je Ha. This man is so cool, charismatic, sexy, and trustworthy. Chang Wook's performance in this drama is a perfect example of what he does best when it comes to portraying a strong character. His acting is impeccable for this role. And the shower fight scene will forever remain legendary. ^^ -
18. The Whirlwind Girl Season 2
Chinese Drama - 2016, 36 episodes
A Chinese drama, a genre I wasn't familiar with when I watched it. I like its theme, and even though the story isn't particularly gripping, it's enjoyable. A simple drama about everyday life, but well-made, with a quality cast.
I greatly appreciate Chang Wook's talent and his ability to portray a wide variety of characters, but I must admit he truly shines when playing masculine characters like fighters. Chang An is definitely that kind of character, and he's incredibly charming. It's hard not to fall for him. Everyone dreams of having a mentor like him. ^^ -
19. The Long Way Home
Korean Movie - 2015
Overall, an enjoyable and funny film about one of the most interesting and profound periods in Korean history. The production is excellent, as are the casting and the acting.
There's only one brief scene in this film (a special appearance), probably the shortest in his filmography, where Ji Chang Wook plays a military policeman who speaks only a few words to inform one of the main characters of his conscription. But it's still a pleasure to see him in uniform. -
20. Healer
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
An action drama with a touch of romance and political intrigue and power struggles. I love it all. The story is really good, and it's exactly the kind of drama you can binge-watch, with each episode ending leaving you wanting more. All the characters and actors are excellent. I'm a huge fan of Park Min Young and Yoo Ji Tae, so it's impossible not to love it.
The character of Seo Jung Hoo/Park Bong Soo has a vulnerability and a very charming side that I really appreciate. The chemistry between the two wonderful actors, Chang Wook and Min Young, is perfect, and the romance between Healer and Chae Yeong Shin/Oh Ji An is one of the sweetest in my opinion. Without a doubt, one of Chang Wook's best roles. -
21. Secret Love
Korean Drama - 2014, 10 episodes
This is a light and funny romantic drama in which Chang Wook only appears in two episodes. The overall plot is decent and enjoyable to watch, even if it's not the best.
However, Chang Wook captivated me in the two episodes he's in. Guardian Angel Number 2013 is truly funny, and he's one of the most endearing characters Chang Wook has ever played. His character development over the two episodes is interesting and showcases his acting talents. And when he expresses his feelings, it's genuinely touching. A short but truly charming role. -
22. Empress Ki
Korean Drama - 2013, 51 episodes
I could write a novel about this drama ^^ Probably my all-time favorite historical drama, and one of my all-time favorite Korean dramas. It was actually one of the first I ever watched. To be honest, it's a long drama, and the story is sometimes a bit too drawn out, repetitive, and predictable, especially towards the end. Despite that, it's also a truly addictive story because it's based on real historical figures, brilliantly told, and with superb plot twists. The historical recreation (costumes, sets) is breathtaking and remains very impressive even today.
I really love the unexpected puppet-like character of Emperor Yuan Hui Zhong, which shows how well Chang Wook can portray such a versatile and complex character. Ta Hwan is undoubtedly one of my favorite Chang Wook characters. But I truly loved all the characters in this drama. The cast is fantastic, and the acting is impeccable. I also discovered Kim Seo Hyung through this drama, and she's one of my favorite actresses.
This was the very first drama with Chang Wook that I saw, and it will forever be etched in my memory. He immediately stood out from all the other actors. Ta Hwan is probably one of the most annoying yet also one of the most endearing characters portrayed by Chang Wook. A must-see. -
23. Five Fingers
Korean Drama - 2012, 30 episodes
I didn't really enjoy this drama. It's not a genre I particularly like or find interesting, but I watched it anyway because of Chang Wook. The acting was over the top and a bit dated for my taste, but not bad. The story and its development didn't really interest me either. Not terrible, I still gave it a good rating, but it's a Chang Wook drama I'll probably never watch again.
However, Chang Wook did an excellent job portraying the unlikeable character of Yoo In Ha, his first antagonist role in a drama. This shows how talented he is, as he can portray any character and any emotion with brilliance and realism. -
24. Bachelor's Vegetable Store
Korean Drama - 2011, 24 episodes
Although this is one of Chang Wook's older dramas, it remains very enjoyable to watch. While the plot isn't particularly compelling, the story development is quite good, especially the fact that the major revelations don't all occur in the final episodes as is typical, but rather are spread throughout the drama, adding some nice twists. The character development, relationships, and acting are also excellent.
Han Tae Yang is one of the brightest, most charming, and most cheerful characters portrayed by Chang Wook. While the romance wasn't very successful in my opinion, and the chemistry with Wang Ji Hye wasn't particularly special, his interactions with the other characters, especially the "bachelors," were truly delightful. Chang Wook's smile is genuinely touching in this drama. It also introduced me to the actor Kim Young Kwang, who is now one of my favorite actors as well. -
25. Warrior Baek Dong Soo
Korean Drama - 2011, 29 episodes
This drama is a very good action-packed sageuk, with a beautiful friendship at its heart and interesting development throughout the episodes. I generally prefer historical dramas more grounded in real history, but thanks to the bond and friendship between Baek Dong Soo and Yeo Woon, this story was truly engaging. Like most sageuk, the production is quite good, and the entire cast did an excellent job.
Chang Wook did a remarkable job portraying a traditional warrior, especially as a martial arts master. The friendship between Baek Dong Soo and Yeo Woon is one of the highlights of this drama (the romance didn't really interest me ^^), and Chang Wook and Yoo Seung Ho, despite their age difference, played these two best friends turned enemies very well. -
26. Smile Again
Korean Drama - 2010, 159 episodes
A very long drama. The story really drags on as the episodes progress. And the characters are among the most despicable and annoying I've ever seen in a drama, quite honestly. But at the same time, it's a really addictive drama. ^^ Each episode ending is exciting, even if you can easily guess what's coming next. All the characters in this drama are very interesting, and the development and changes of many characters throughout the episodes are quite well done, even if they are exasperating. It takes time and patience to watch, but as a Chang Wook fan, it's definitely worth it.
Dong Hae/Carl Laker isn't one of my favorite Chang Wook characters. For his first lead role in a drama, I have to admit that his acting isn't top-notch, even though you can see changes and real improvements between the first episode and the end of the drama. But it's mainly the plot that prevents this character from being one of my favorites, and also the way he interacts with certain characters. Dong Hae's development is interesting, even if the romance feels more like a beautiful friendship than true love. -
27. Confession
Korean Movie - 2010
A young Chang Wook stars in a dark short film. Like most independent shorts, this one explains nothing about the story's context and plunges straight into the action. The viewer must therefore focus solely on the actors' performances and the unfolding narrative, without worrying too much about the context or what comes next.
As in his other early works, Chang Wook plays an atypical character in this short film. His character's name, in Korean, means "One who acts against fundamental moral principles." In short, an immoral, even depraved, person. An unusual character, certainly, but perfectly portrayed by Chang Wook. His motivations remain unknown, but the character's emotions are very well conveyed. -
28. Death Bell 2: Bloody Camp
Korean Movie - 2010
A good horror film, a must-see for fans of the genre. Not the best, but not bad either, and the cast is quite good, with generally satisfying acting.
This is Chang Wook's first "villain" role in a film. He plays the student Soo Il, one of the story's villains, who meets a rather sad end. But it's a horror film, so that's to be expected. ^^ For one of Chang Wook's first roles, he did a good job, and I think he stands out from all the other actors, even though he doesn't have a lot of screen time. -
29. Hero
Korean Drama - 2009, 16 episodes
Overall, it's a charming and funny drama with an interesting plot. The cast is good, and even though it's a very cliché drama with many seemingly absurd plot twists, it's enjoyable to watch.
Chang Wook plays a supporting role, but I really liked his character, Park Jung Hyung, a talented, stylish, and funny young journalist. He wasn't quite at the top of his game yet, but he's rather endearing in this role. -
30. My Too Perfect Sons
Korean Drama - 2009, 54 episodes
It's a long-running daily drama with a charming storyline. I loved watching all 54 episodes, and the casting is excellent overall. Of course, being a family drama, there's a lot going on and unfolding one after another, with some rather crazy situations, but it was really fun to watch. Even though Chang Wook doesn't play one of the main characters, he's central to the story as one of the Song family's sons.
This is Chang Wook's first major role in a drama, and I think he did a great job portraying the youngest brother, Song Mi Pung, who faces various personal challenges throughout the series. The fact that he's responsible for looking after his friend's daughter is one of the key aspects of the drama, even when he's not on screen. Poor Mi Pung is often beaten by his family and cries a lot throughout the episodes, but it's a fresh and enjoyable debut role to watch. -
31. The Weird Missing Case of Mr. J
Korean Movie - 2009
Honestly, I wasn't really interested in the story of this film, which is a comedy that I didn't find very entertaining.
This is one of Chang Wook's early roles. He plays a very brief supporting role as a scout for a film shoot. Despite his limited screen time, he displays a rather endearing side and delivers a decent performance for such a small part. -
32. You Stole My Heart
Korean Drama - 2008, 156 episodes
"You Stole My Heart" is a (very) long drama, with over 150 episodes. So, obviously, a lot happens throughout the series, but honestly, the main storyline didn't really interest me. I mainly watched this drama for Chang Wook, and since nothing else really interested me besides his role, I didn't pay much attention to the rest of the story and didn't watch the entire drama because Chang Wook only appears in a few episodes.
He only has a small role in this drama. A brief appearance, in just a few episodes, but a good role for his first official drama. He plays Lee Philipp, a carefree young Korean-American man, clinging to his unrequited love like a mollusk to a rock. I think he played this role very well. In some ways, he even acts better than in the first episodes of "Smile, Dong Hae." This role is also memorable because Chang Wook already looked very cool on a motorcycle at the time, something he would regularly confirm later in real life. -
33. Sleeping Beauty
Korean Movie - 2008
"Sleeping Beauty" is a strange film. It's an independent film, divided into three separate stories, unrelated to each other, although they share common themes. Chang Wook plays the main character in the third story, "Sleeping Beauty." It's definitely not an easy short film to watch. It's very profound and deals with very heavy subjects, such as domestic violence and rape, but nothing is explicitly stated or shown. There's little dialogue, and most of the issues are implied. This is something I really liked about the film. The production isn't excellent; it's a low-budget independent film, and it certainly could have been improved in some areas, but it's still a success. The acting is quite good, especially from Chang Wook, who was just a student at the time and barely starting his acting career, having only appeared in a musical and a short film in 2006.
This film is considered Chang Wook's first official role. He plays a high school student facing bullying and domestic violence. In my opinion, Chang Wook, in the role of Jin Seo, did an excellent job as a debut actor. He has a strong screen presence and subtly portrays a range of emotions. Jin Seo is truly endearing; you can't help but sympathize with his misfortunes and want to save him from this terrible situation. This film launched a star, and I particularly appreciate this character. -
34. Nonstop Season 6
Korean Drama - 2005, 243 episodes
Twenty years after it aired, I finally watched the first episode of this drama where Chang Wook makes a brief appearance (it was hard to find!). To be perfectly honest, I didn't watch all 243 episodes. It's not that it's a bad drama; it's light and funny, a typical daytime drama from the early 2000s, and I probably would have watched it all back then. But in 2025, beyond the first episode where Chang Wook appears, I have little desire (or time) to watch it all.
Chang Wook was indeed the only reason I absolutely wanted to see this episode someday. Although he officially debuted in 2008 with the role of Jin Seo in the film "Sleeping Beauty," this is actually his first "role" in an official drama. However, I doubt he was even credited for it; his character isn't even identified. He only appears for a few seconds at the beginning of the first episode, playing a high school student with a bad reputation, dressed in a sloppy school uniform, who, along with his friends, is beaten up by the drama's main character. He has no lines; he simply feigns surprise at the heroine's sudden flying kick attack.
I don't know if I would have noticed him in 2005 if I had watched this drama, his appearance is so brief. He was only eighteen at the time. His acting potential was probably already evident, but, frankly, he wasn't yet the exceptional and captivating actor we came to know later.

































