Ji Chang Wook reveals why he said yes to his first love scene in 'The Scandal'

Ji Chang Wook opened up about why he agreed to do his first-ever love scene in Netflix's The Scandal.

During a recent interview with the press, Chang Wook said that Cho Won’s complex emotions piqued his interest and made him want to take on a character like him.

"What I found appealing was the character's relationships, the idea of unattainable love and the ways that love can become twisted, as well as the circumstances the character finds himself in," he said, per a report by The Korea Herald.

"Cho Won has such complicated emotions, and I found myself thinking that I really wanted to take on a character like him."

In the series, Cho Won is described as the "Joseon era’s ultimate playboy." It centers on Lady Cho (played by Son Ye Jin), a sharp-minded woman defying the limits of her era, and Cho Won, whose dangerous bet draws Hui-yeon (played by Nana) into a dangerous, seductive game of fate.

The actor admitted that he carefully considered whether to take on the project, particularly because he had concerns about the level of nudity and explicitness in some of the scenes. Despite these concerns, Chang-wook said he is at a stage in his career where he wants to embrace new challenges and push himself creatively.

"It was a project that inevitably came with a lot of thought and concern, and there were certainly worries because of the level of nudity and the explicit nature of some of the scenes. But I think taking on this role at my age was a major challenge in my life, and one that was worth taking on," he said.

As he approaches 40, the 39-year-old actor said The Scandal came at a pivotal point in his career, as he seeks to break out of his creative comfort zone and take on unconventional roles 

"I feel like I'm constantly knocking on a shell, trying to break through it," he said. "In a way, I've also been making a lot of effort to break away from the image I've had up until now. I want to broaden my spectrum as an actor and performer," the actor continued.

"I think I know clearly, deep down, that you can't achieve that simply by receiving applause. Falling down hurts everyone, but I think you have to practice finding the strength to get back up and move forward. That's why I've been trying different things," Chang-wook said.

As he enters his 30s, Chang Wook sees it as a time of transition into more mature roles, with Cho Won being part of that journey.

"I think my 30s were a period when I was incredibly passionate, experienced countless frustrations, and continued to challenge myself over and over again," he said. "In some ways, it feels like an age of desperation before entering my 40s—a period somewhere between being a young man and becoming an adult."

For Ji, taking on roles like Cho Won is also about showing a more authentic side of himself as an actor.

"I think I'm gradually going through a process of revealing myself more, revealing my identity and color as an actor, and showing more of my own feelings and who I really am—I think those are important decisions for me at this point in my career," he said.

Before The Scandal, Chang Wook is also known for his roles in several K-dramas, including Suspicious Partner, The Worst of Evil, Backstreet Rookie, and Lovestruck in the City, among others.