Historical dramas seem to be just the ticket for Korean actor Ji Jin-hee. His portrayal of a heroic judge in the 2003 hit television series Dae Jang Geum made him a familiar face across Asia and later led to a starring role in director Peter Chan Ho-sun's acclaimed film Perhaps Love.
A photographer before turning to acting in 1998, Ji was named top actor at the MBC Drama Awards in Seoul last week for another period drama, Dong Yi. The series was the highest-rated drama in South Korea when it aired last year and was voted Drama of the Year at the same award ceremony.
Ji, who plays King Sukjong in Dong Yi, was recently in town to promote the series, which is being screened on Cable TV.
Was your role in Dong Yi a challenge?
While preparing for the character, I discussed with the producer how I should interpret it. Since there have been kings in many different dramas and movies, I don't want to repeat what people have seen before, otherwise it would be meaningless.
We put in some serious thought on that before the shooting began. I was inspired by how Hugh Grant portrayed a British prime minister in Love Actually. Although he plays a leader of a nation, his interpretation is full of energy and youth. I also watched Henry III to see how a young king could be played.