Ji Chang-wook’s Allure as an Action Hero

Ji Chang-wook can serve as a template for an individual brand of action hero. He is more than just a stud brandishing a weapon or a savior combating detrimental authority. He boasts an innate level of poise that grasps all of what it is, which renders him an enduring action star. When he flexes his action displays, you see an imposing individual with strong management, resolve, precision, self-denial, and sensitivity lined up with amazing style—style in terms of both what he looks like and his body language, attitude, and eloquence. In action of any kind—gun-toting shots, frantic chase sequences, clandestine operations, stunts, and duels—Ji gets hearts racing.

I mean, I could watch Healer (2014–2015) over and over. His starring role in the classic action thriller expedited Ji’s ascent to Hallyu stardom. The plot centers on a murder perpetrated by a group and draws along an ensemble of protagonists: a deft fighter in disguise, a reporter, and a reputable journalist.

Ji rocked a valiant Seo Jung-hoo, a shady night courier nicknamed “Healer.” His chic all-black attire juxtaposed the buccaneering image he gave off, exposing more of his stature. At the same time, his antics and manifestations of frailty were distinct. It may seem tricky to fully comprehend his character right off the bat. That said, Jung-hoo excels at keeping people invested. I love how he handles facing challenges while still embodying the derring-do he offers. In 20 high-caliber action episodes littered with intrigue and adrenaline, he mirrors a formidable swashbuckler.

Action, I suspect, qualifies as an art form for the actor in that he wants to make a scene that is not just startling or outraged but also attractive. So, each time he delivers a confrontation or an orchestrated action sequence, he attempts to pull off something new. In doing so, he lends the character and the portrayal a distinctive flair and personality. It reminds me of the legendary public bathhouse combat scene from The K2 (2016), where Ji battles and knocks down a bunch of other men in defense.

Despite the slander that has been leveled at this scene, it was brilliantly planned and photographed, along with the actor’s performance, which will live on in memory. Not forgetting how he aced the proceedings to make it look fantastic when it was a physically demanding and bold instance—given the men were nude (their private parts remained blurred)—Ji’s perfectly chiseled body amplified the impact of his presence and the final outcome.

One of Ji’s recognized action roles is Kim Je-ha in The K2. He is an insanely trained ex-mercenary soldier who flees upon being erroneously accused of homicide and is later recruited by an authority figure to guard his daughter once he discovers his expertise. Ji allegedly accomplished the action shots himself. He went through extensive instruction that gave Je-ha a more realistic face.

The K2 purportedly employed the “Bullet Time effect” a la The Matrix for the first time in a K-drama and had Ji doing jujitsu, aikido, and taekwondo like a pro. Again, though, what took me off guard was having him as an offbeat action hero, one whose vulnerability propelled him above his rugged exterior to a more desirable one.

That desirability, as I listed before, also stems from his dashing, dapper appearance. Retaliating against the unscrupulous emanates all the oomph that makes him more of who he is: his sleek and classy form and all-pervasive magnetism. No matter how awful a blow may be, even if he is bleeding and soaking a great deal, he will never lose sight of his goal or his composure. And the visual appeal I’m referring to—which, as I envision, is back again in his next—never goes wrong. Ji’s upcoming television series, The Worst of Evil, plays out in the 1990s and has him as Park Joon-mo, a cop, as a key player who penetrates a sizable criminal gang responsible for the illicit transit of drugs between Korea, China, and Japan.

Ji Chang-wook’s appeal as an action hero strikes on a deeper level that relies on his infectious drive as an artist who keeps evolving and accomplishing with all of his faculties. It must be a thing that maintains his individuality—he is passionate about taking chances, has a great intellect, a great body, and, I reiterate, an enviable face. I can’t wait to catch him exploding all over again in The Worst of Evil. At this time, an older, wiser, and more mature Ji and his sense of action timing may just be quite a step above.

The Worst of Evil will premiere on Disney+ on September 27.