Jung Woo Sung added that portraying fictional characters gave the cast more creative freedom in exploring the emotions and choices behind people living within a power-driven society.
Jung Woo Sung returns as Tang Yong in Made in Korea season two, but his character is no longer the man viewers knew from the first season.
After losing everything in the finale of season one, Tang Yong enters the new chapter driven by anger, revenge and a desire to bring down those who caused his downfall.
During the virtual press conference for the Disney+ Korean original series, Jung Woo Sung opened up about the emotional state of Tang Yong and the motivations behind his actions.
“Tang Yong lost everything in the finale of season one. He was left behind in the struggle. He was at the very bottom of his life, and he is filled with revenge,” the actor said.
However, Jung Woo Sung explained that Tang Yong’s pursuit is complicated because he does not see himself as someone consumed by vengeance.
“He doesn’t even realize that he is doing everything out of vengeance, but he believes that this is a deed of justice,” he said.
The actor described Tang Yong as someone caught in the middle of a larger battle, comparing him to someone riding a force he does not fully understand.
“He is trying to take down a tiger that he hops onto, but he doesn’t really know where that tiger is heading. He is basically riding the tide of the times,” he said.
Different dynamic
Jung Woo Sung also talked about working with Hyun Bin, who plays Baek Ki-tae, and how their relationship evolved in the second season.
“I think we had much better chemistry this time because we were already very comfortable with each other when we were working together. I had a lot of fun,” he shared.
While season one focused heavily on the dynamic between Tang Yong and Ki-tae, Jung Woo Sung said the expanded storyline allowed his character to encounter new relationships and conflicts.
“In season one, it was more about my scenes with Ki-tae, but in season two, I got to meet a lot of different characters. There are a lot of different dynamics, so it felt like a different series to me,” he said.
Human nature
As an actor who also appeared in the historical film 12.12: The Day, Jung Woo Sung discussed the difference between the two projects, which are set against the backdrop of the same period in Korean history.
While 12.12: The Day focused on real historical figures and their decisions, he said Made in Korea uses fictional characters to explore deeper human struggles.
“These historical events are used as subject matter to tell a story,” he said.
“I feel like Made in Korea is really more about human ambition and human desire. It is more about human nature.”
Jung Woo Sung added that portraying fictional characters gave the cast more creative freedom in exploring the emotions and choices behind people living within a power-driven society.
“Characters like Tang Yong and Ki-tae live in a system that is hyper-focused on power. I think the story talks about how much value there is in individual freedom and individual decision-making within a social structure that is so focused on power,” he said.
For the actor, the themes of Made in Korea remain relevant because history often reflects recurring patterns in human behavior.
“I think history has, or does, repeat itself,” Jung Woo Sung said.
“The decisions that we make as human beings, the errors in our decision-making, and the choices that shape history — I think there is a cycle to that.”
“While the times are different, when we look at these great historical moments, we still see them repeating themselves even today and at any time.”
