I am such a fan of his from Hello Monster, and then again in Mad Dog, since it reminded me of the previous role. He's really good in anything, but I have to say I like him as the intelligent antagonist. I was excited to see him in Under the Queen's Umbrella, and though I haven't gotten too far into that one I am excited to see his role there (Kings are often flat characters in these types of dramas but I'm sure he'll bring more to the role).
New melon says Joseph's "A Lonely Hero’s Journey" is scheduled for September release. (Both Iqiyi and Youku…
I'm so excited about all of these! But especially the Story of saiunkoku because I really liked the anime and manga and read snipped of the translated novel (but sadly there was no english translation of the end).
Do you think the filmmakers intend for us to question who was Lei Chun's attacker? The first time around I was really shocked at who it might be; there are three distinct men in white. However it seems pretty clear that her brother was at the fight by the gazebo the whole time, so then I wondered if Bai Chou Fei could be the culprit. I really wondered, and especially knowing the path he goes down in the future, it's not completely far-fetched.
However it re-watching the drama, Lei Chun doesn't treat Bai Choufei with any suspicion (or she's a REALLY good actress), nor does Bai Choufei give any creepy vibes toward her, so now I wonder if the filmmakers really intended for us to suspect Bai Choufei. I guess Lei Chun doesn't have a reason to suspect him, so it would only be us viewers who wonder. I'm curious how others reacted to this storyline.
Watching this after the Blood of Youth and Mysterious Lotus Casebook was a mistake.
I can understand that. I watched them in reverse--this one first, which introduced me to Joseph Zeng, then Blood of Youth which was awesome, and then MLC, which became on of my favorite of all time. Now I'm re-watching Heros and really appreciating it. But it helps to know ahead of time how dark it gets.
Like many in the comments have said, this drama has stuck with me after I finished it, so I have to share some…
Ji Chang Wook was correct in his analysis that Jungmo had no real affection for Kichul. I never saw him remotely caring for this guy, he acted more as a mirror allowing Kichul to see a brotherhood or loyalty reflected back at him. But I did see some caring from Jungmo toward the Chinese princess (sorry can't remember her character). Not actual love, though definitely temptation for her, but I didn't see him transferring his love from his wife to her. Just sympathy that allowed him to even break the rules and let her go (which I found very touching and an important element in the end).
For his wife's part, I didn't see Euijung's feelings for Kichul to be anything more than she stated, which was caring for a childhood friend and wishing he would choose a different path. I saw her desperation to save her husband from death as a motivator in her actions, just like Jungmo continued to double down in his mission in order to set them both free from their intertwined path with Kichul.
So really it's telling that in the very end Kichul turns the gun on himself, that he's not able to actually shoot either of them even though they tricked him. Jungmo and Euijung both slipped up in their interactions with their "targets", affecting their marriage, but also the brutality of the underworld took its toll on both of them. They took down the 3-country gang at the expense of their marriage and one cop's life. So the question presented at the very closing credits it, was it worth it to have gone undercover? Was it worth it to take a good copy and crush him completely in that underworld? There had to have been a better way.
Like many in the comments have said, this drama has stuck with me after I finished it, so I have to share some thoughts below under the spoiler tag. I keep thinking about the character choices and the take-away from the end.
In my opinion, the most impressive role where JCW showed his acting skills was when he was 25 in "Empress Ki".…
I agree that his role in Empress Ki was an extremely difficult one to pull off, and he did it so well! It's so painful to watch that (2 years on) I still have yet to finish the last 10 episodes. The things that's amazing about his role is that he's a clingy, ignorant, selfish kid and later a crazy Emperor and I still feel intense empathy for him at all times. Truly amazing.
I first saw Healer then If you wish upon me and Ji Chang Wook impressed me. I loved those 2 dramas and his character/acting…
I agree about not enjoying Rom Coms, I've started multiple of his that I'm not interested in. Try The K2 though, it's my favorite K-drama tied with Alchemy of Souls (totally different genres of course).
Well, despite some news about him we still have no real content about Chang Wook these days... nothing new on…
I am really looking forward to watching him in My Name is Gabriel! Though I'm guessing his episodes might be at the tail end as the grand finish, so may need to wait a few more weeks.
I am excited to see Ji Chang Wook in a different kind of role. Just finished watching the Worst of Evil and wow that was a nail-biter. If I hadn't just seen that one I may have thought it would be hard to picture him as this type of character. But I also really liked his performance in If You Wish Upon Me.
So I watched because JCW is one of my top 4 actors (I can’t put them in order lol) Everyone was amazing in it…
I feel exactly like you. The K2 is my top drama and I really enjoy the action, the thrills, but also the fantasy element to the drama, like you could really enjoy the villains and the danger without getting anxiety. The Worst of Evil made me anxious every episode! But I am glad Ji Chang Wook wanted to do action and he was totally convincing as this character.
at the end when he visits the grave, he puts his wedding ring down right? after he see's his wife has left the…
I think so, but I wasn't sure like you. But I didn't realize that necklace was the one his wife had. Very sad because I didn't really recognize a hard break between he and his wife.
However it re-watching the drama, Lei Chun doesn't treat Bai Choufei with any suspicion (or she's a REALLY good actress), nor does Bai Choufei give any creepy vibes toward her, so now I wonder if the filmmakers really intended for us to suspect Bai Choufei. I guess Lei Chun doesn't have a reason to suspect him, so it would only be us viewers who wonder. I'm curious how others reacted to this storyline.
For his wife's part, I didn't see Euijung's feelings for Kichul to be anything more than she stated, which was caring for a childhood friend and wishing he would choose a different path. I saw her desperation to save her husband from death as a motivator in her actions, just like Jungmo continued to double down in his mission in order to set them both free from their intertwined path with Kichul.
So really it's telling that in the very end Kichul turns the gun on himself, that he's not able to actually shoot either of them even though they tricked him. Jungmo and Euijung both slipped up in their interactions with their "targets", affecting their marriage, but also the brutality of the underworld took its toll on both of them. They took down the 3-country gang at the expense of their marriage and one cop's life. So the question presented at the very closing credits it, was it worth it to have gone undercover? Was it worth it to take a good copy and crush him completely in that underworld? There had to have been a better way.