K-Drama Flashback: ‘The K2’

Let me restate a line from my “Actor You Need to Know” series about Ji Chang-wook, the titular hero in The K2 (2016), before pressing on the drama itself. “Ji is insanely hot, manly, stylish, daring, and comical, but his personality is tempered with a genuine sensitivity that shines through when he romances on screen, and whether you like him or not, he rightfully remains one of the most swashbuckling Korean heroes of our time.”

His success as an action star, in my mind, makes him a creative force for how he crafts a scenario that is not only alarming or aggressive but also gorgeous. Ji exudes an intimidating presence in his action shows, displaying great control, accuracy, sensitivity, and a staggering aesthetic that’s reminiscent of The K2.

There’s a degree of complexity to The K2‘s first leg. But Ji keeps me intrigued. He performs visual feasts with his stamina and skills. As per insider sources, Ji handled the action sequences without using a body double. To lend greater credibility to his character, Kim Je-ha, in the drama, he undertook specialized training. It reminds me of the iconic public bathhouse brawl scene in which Je-ha confronts and fights off several men. 

The portrayal and staging of the scene were top-notch. The fight envisioned wasn’t at all an easy shot given how physically demanding and bold it was—the men were nude (their private parts were blurred)—but Ji aced the whole thing, making it look great. His well-defined physique amplifies both the effect of his presence and the scene overall. 

Directed by Kwak Jung-hwan and Sung Yong-il, The K2 follows Je-ha, one of Ji’s many well-known characters, in a political thriller where each person is brought together ingeniously. Je-ha is a former mercenary soldier for the Blackstone private military corporation who flees after being erroneously accused of murdering his girlfriend, Raniya, in Iraq.

Choi Yoo-jin (Song Yoon-ah), a proprietor and wife of presidential candidate Jang Se-joon (Jo Sung-ha), hires him as Go An-na’s (Im Yoon-ah or Yoona from Girls’ Generation) bodyguard upon his return to South Korea. Je-ha agrees in exchange for the cash required to seek vengeance on Park Kwan-soo (Kim Kap-soo), the rival presidential contender responsible for Raniya’s execution. But things go awry when Je-ha is forced to choose between his objective, his job, and protecting An-na.

The K2 consistently topped cable-channel viewership ratings during its time on air and earned favorable reviews. Its engaging narrative, especially the beautiful bond between Je-ha and An-na, keeps us drawn to the very end. A perfect mix of action and romance, it remains an ideal K-drama to date.

For the first time in a K-drama, The K2 allegedly used the “bullet time effect” like in The Matrix, and Ji was seen doing jujitsu, aikido, and taekwondo. Once more, though, I was blown away by how he presented himself as an offbeat action hero whose sensitivity enabled him to move past his rough exterior and reveal a more endearing side. It’s adorable how Je-ha uses the cameras to monitor An-na. Despite his sharp image as a bodyguard, the passion in his eyes and his willingness to go to any lengths for her, are heartwarming. Since Ji and Yoona share amazing chemistry on screen, I feel that the romance period between Je-ha and An-na is rather rushed.

Je-ha’s dashing, dapper appearance also contributes to his desirability. He brings all the charisma and refinement that define him to the fore—his all-encompassing appeal and sleek, stylish form—when he strikes back against the unscrupulous. No matter how dire the circumstances, he won’t ever lose focus or composure—not even when he’s soaked in blood and suffering a great deal.

In an interview with his English fan site, Ji Chang Wook’s Kitchen, Ji shared: “Actually, I chose this drama thinking it isn’t an action drama. The structure and relationship between the characters were interesting and I also had a romanticized view of bodyguards. It could become an attractive drama just based on the character relationships alone, and I merely thought of the action as one of the things audiences can enjoy watching in the drama, but there was really a lot of action. Episode one even ended with me just performing the action. I started the show thinking that I can sufficiently endure physical suffering and perform an action [sequence] to produce such a spectacle for the drama, but I found myself recording the line ‘bodyguard action The K2’ at some point in time. This is a drama that has much more to offer than action…”

Yes, indeed. Political intrigue, parental abuse, despair, dread, revenge, and romance make up the many themes that are deftly interwoven throughout The K2. It delves deeply into all of this, exploring the emotional wounds sustained by the protagonists and their cathartic journey toward a satisfying end.

Ji Chang-wook’s role in The K2 will long be regarded as one of his best, emphasizing his status as a Hallyu star. Check out his upcoming K-dramas in 2024 here.