The drama may have concluded, but Jang Ki Yong sees it as a new beginning rather than an end.
This sentiment, originally conveyed through his character Bok Jae-ju in The Atypical Family, resonated deeply with Jang Ki Yong himself.
Recently, Jang Ki Yong sat down for a media interview, marking the finale of JTBC’s Saturday-Sunday drama The Atypical Family.
The Atypical Family is a fantasy romance drama where Bok Jae-ju (Jang Ki Yong), a man gifted with extraordinary abilities yet unable to save anyone, finally finds redemption by saving his destined woman, Do Da-hae (Chun Woo Hee).
Jang Ki Yong portrays a person with the ability to slip through time. After the tragic loss of his wife, he sinks into despair and loses his abilities, only to regain them along with newfound happiness upon meeting a cryptic woman.
Returning to acting after a three-year hiatus following the SBS drama Now, We’re Breaking Up, he chose The Atypical Family as his comeback project.
After completing military service in February of the previous year, he expressed pride in the drama’s successful conclusion, stating, “I’m so happy that the drama ended well. I was initially worried, but I believe I did a good job.”
Reflecting on his role, Jang found the subject matter refreshing.
“I’m always intrigued by new things. The concept itself was very novel. While it’s a supernatural drama, it feels distinct from others in the genre, doesn’t it? The premise of modern individuals losing their powers due to a mysterious illness was particularly intriguing.”
Following his military discharge, he dedicated himself to preparing for his return to acting, which included focusing on his physical fitness. “I’ve been working out and making efforts to maintain a healthy mindset,” he explained.
Despite initial apprehensions about returning to the camera after his military service, Jang Ki Yong found that once he stepped onto the set, any doubts dissipated.
“There were countless moments of doubt about whether I could perform well again,” he admitted. “But what surprised me was that once I started filming the first scene, those worries vanished. I remembered, ‘I’ve done this before.’ Once I’m in front of the camera, there’s no room for distractions,” he chuckled.
Acting in his role presented significant challenges for him. When asked about the pressure of portraying a character with superpowers while also depicting a father-daughter relationship, he shared approaching it as a character.
He admitted to initially feeling unsure and confessed to the director, who reassured him, “That uncertainty is exactly what you should be feeling now.” The director’s guidance was to portray the father-daughter dynamic with a sense of burden and difficulty.
Gradually, Jang Ki Yong adjusted and noticed a shift in his mindset.
“I started working when I was 20 years old. Over the past decade, I’ve tried to make the most of my time and lived a hectic life. Everything I am today is because of those experiences,” he reflected. “After my military service, I found myself feeling more at ease than in my 20s.”
Now with a sense of peace, his perspective has broadened.
“I enjoy various genres of music, not just hip-hop and pop; trot music and the nostalgia of older tunes resonate with me,” he shared. “Sometimes, when reflecting on these feelings, I listen to them.“
Looking ahead to future roles, he expressed a desire for diversity. “I want to explore a wide range of characters rather than confining myself to one type,” he emphasized.
Reflecting on his growth through ‘I’m Not a Hero’, his first project in a while, he expressed a strong commitment. “I was determined to do my best,” he reiterated.
When asked about his most memorable scene, he reflected before pointing to the line, “It’s not the end. It’s just the beginning.”
He explained the line encapsulates the essence of our work. It’s a statement that resonates deeply with the emotions of someone starting anew.
The real-life fantasy drama The Atypical Family concluded with its twelfth episode on June 9. All episodes are streaming on Netflix.
