K-drama star Jang Ki-yong on ‘The Atypical Family,' bond with co-stars and India
K-drama star Jang Ki-yong on ‘The Atypical Family,' bond with co-stars and India
Jang Ki-yong featured in 'The Atypical Family,' a gripping dramedy that explores the complexities and dark secrets of an extraordinary family. Known for his versatile acting skills, Jang Ki-yong essays the role of Bok Gwi-ju, a rather lost hero who finds purpose in his being as the narrative progresses. 'The Atypical Family' delves into the lives of a seemingly ordinary family, unravelling their hidden struggles and the lengths they go to protect their loved ones.
In an exclusive chat with IndiaToday.in, the 'My Roommate is a Gumiho' actor spoke about his role and how he approached the character who is suffering from depression. "I believe that although Gwi-ju is depressed and seems lethargic and indifferent to everything, he tries harder than anyone else to find his happiness back. So, I portrayed his depression in such a way that his current depressed state was not his original state, and from time to time, the bright 'original' state of his past was visible," Jang Ki-yong told IndiaToday.in.
Jang Ki-yong expressed his interest in playing a character with a unique essence that he hasn't encountered before and doesn't often see in other works. "I'm interested in playing a character with a unique colour that I've never seen before and that I don't easily see in other works. I think it's because he's a character I can only draw from my thoughts, without referring to anything else," the actor added.
'The Atypical Family' explores unique family dynamics. When asked what he learned from his character's journey in the show, the talented actor shared, "We all have the same love for our families, just have different ways of expressing our love for them. It's also shown in the drama, but I believe it's important to have conversations. We can't convey our feelings just by thinking. We must talk and express them."
Jang Ki-yong shares great onscreen chemistry with his co-stars. Be it with Song Hye-kyo [Now, We Are Breaking Up] or Lee Hye-ri [My Roommate is a Gumiho], Im Soo-jung [Search: WWW] and now Chun Woo-Hee. Revealing his secret to building such a good rapport and chemistry with his co-stars, the actor shared that he tries to get close to them on a human level first. "Although the relationship between seniors and juniors is important, I try to get close to them humanely first. That's because, I believe, it makes the other person feel comfortable, and the atmosphere on set is relaxed. I'm grateful that my seniors and fellow actors think that's cute," he shared.
In the series, his character has the power to go back to the past. In real life, we asked him if he could have any superpower, what would it be and why. To this, Ki-young exclaimed, "The answer to this kind of question keeps changing, but for now, it's the superpower to fly. When I want to go somewhere for healing, even the time it takes to fly there would be healing."
When not working, Jang Ki-young shared that he loves running which helps him de-stress. "I've been running lately. I love the feeling of getting out of the house and running in the wind. It's a hobby I would recommend to many people," the actor mentioned.
Lastly, when asked about his interest in participating in international projects, especially in India, he replied, "I am always open to participating in good projects. I am an actor and a person, who loves diverse experiences and challenges. I feel very grateful to the many seniors who laid the foundation for many Korean actors to go global. I will continue to pursue a career in acting, believing that as I work hard on each project, another great opportunity will come one day."
In 'The Atypical Family,' Jang Ki-yong stars alongside Chun Woo-Hee, Claudia Kim, among others. The show is available on Netflix and has 16 episodes. The show has been co-produced by South Korea's leading production house SLL, affiliated with JTBC. SLL's collaboration with Netflix extends to shows like 'Hellbound,' 'DP,' 'All of Us Are Dead,' 'Destined With You,' 'Narco-Saints,' and 'Doctor Slump.'