ANN/THE KOREA HERALD – Jo Jung-suk, renowned for his scene-stealing performances on the silver screen, attributes his realistic, natural, and sly comedic acting to instinct. In the upcoming comedy film Pilot, he portrays Han Jung-woo, a pilot who disguises himself as a woman, delivering a comedic performance that is both balanced and engaging.
“It’s really important to get a sense of comedic acting. It’s hard to explain. I think my acting is instinctive… although it doesn’t mean that I’m a genius or talented in acting,” Jo shared with reporters during an interview in Seoul on July 18. For his portrayal of female pilot Han Jung-mi, Jo drew inspiration from Robin Williams’ iconic role in the 1993 family comedy Mrs Doubtfire, emphasising that the key to natural comedic acting is teamwork.
“Going over the screenplay, I have discussed with the director on how to naturally create comedic elements (by disguising myself as a woman). I’m more attracted to creating situations that make people laugh, rather than speaking funny lines. That’s why I think the real comedy comes to life through role-playing between characters,” Jo explained.
“The more (actors involved in the comic scenes) the better. When I’m with a group, I can immerse myself into the character more easily because I can see their reactions.” Such examples are clearly shown throughout the movie.
When carpooling with her colleague pilot Seul-ki (Lee Joo-myung), Jung-mi breaks the ice by accidentally speaking in a man’s voice, evoking giggles not just within the story but from the audience as well.
“I came up with the idea for that scene. I thought that such a mistake made by Jung-mi could work as an icebreaker between her and her colleague, creating a moment for them to become closer as friends,” Jo said. While he doesn’t regard himself as a funny person, the 43-year-old actor said his comic roles were widely loved thanks to the teamwork.
“I normally tend to talk slowly. My personality is originally like that. Friends around me even tell me to speak faster. That’s why I believe in the synergy between myself and other actors, who can bring out a newer side of me,” Jo said, highlighting that his upcoming film is a work of ensemble acting.
