Jung Kyung-ho, known for playing Korea's most upstanding professionals over his two-decade career, is making a dramatic departure from his typical roles in the upcoming gangster comedy "Boss." The film, opening this Friday for Korea's extended Chuseok harvest holiday, represents the actor's bold attempt to break away from his established image of playing cops, doctors, and lawyers.
"If people walk out saying 'that guy can really dance,' I'll be thrilled," Jung announced with a deadpan expression during a Monday afternoon interview at a Samcheong-dong cafe. "Please, write that down. I did nothing but tango for months." This unusual wish reflects the actor's commitment to a role that required him to master the art of tango dancing, a skill far removed from his usual character repertoire.
"Boss" attempts to revive the gangster comedy genre that flourished in the early 2000s before virtually disappearing by 2010. Director Ra Hee-chan's film follows three gangsters competing to avoid becoming the next boss while secretly pursuing their real dreams. Soon-tae, played by Jo Woo-jin, dreams of running a Chinese restaurant, while Jung's character Kang-pyo wants to become a professional tango dancer. Pan-ho, portrayed by Park Ji-hwan, actually wants the leadership position, but nobody believes he's qualified for it. The plot thickens with the addition of an undercover cop, played by Lee Kyu-hyung, who has been embedded in the organization for a decade.
The early 2000s produced numerous successful gangster comedies including "My Wife is a Gangster," "My Boss, My Hero," "Hi Dharma," and the "Marrying the Mafia" franchise. These films found comedy gold in the contrast between gangster swagger and complete incompetence, with tough guys doing decidedly un-tough things and embarrassing themselves at every turn. The formula proved bulletproof for several years before the genre collapsed under the weight of lazy sequels and changing audience preferences.
Jung's transformation for the role required intense physical preparation. Originally, his character was supposed to be a frustrated pianist, but the production timeline wouldn't allow for adequate piano lessons. The director, who happened to be taking tango classes himself, suggested the switch to dancing. Jung dedicated four months to rigorous tango training, practicing so intensively that his toenails fell off from the demanding footwork. "I did more dancing than script reading," he admits. "Not that I had many lines anyway."
Despite his quiet demeanor during the interview, Jung transforms when the cameras roll. "When the camera rolls, something switches on," he explains. "All those people watching you, focusing on you – there's this rush that comes with it." At times during the conversation, he sounds less like someone promoting a major holiday release and more like someone trying to convince himself the effort was worthwhile.
Early reviews of "Boss" suggest mixed results for the genre revival attempt. Critics have described the film as corny, forced, and brazenly nostalgic, with its biggest weakness being a lack of genuine humor. Many reviewers have noted that the gags feel outdated, as if they were frozen in time from 2001. However, Jung seems surprisingly comfortable with this assessment.
"I actually liked that it wasn't too funny when I watched it," he says. "It felt more like a family drama. Soon-tae trying to protect his loved ones. That vintage feel, you know? Not huge laughs, but something families can watch together during the holidays." This perspective suggests Jung views the film more as wholesome entertainment suitable for holiday viewing rather than a cutting-edge comedy.
The role represents a significant departure for Jung, who has built his reputation on playing principled, upstanding characters. His recent work includes starring as the dedicated tutor opposite Jeon Do-yeon in "Crash Course in Romance," the skilled cardiac surgeon in the popular "Hospital Playlist," and back-to-back attorney roles in "Oh My Ghost Clients" and "Pro Bono." After decades of embodying the moral elite, playing a tango-obsessed mobster feels completely unexpected.
"People tell me my strength is this good energy," Jung reflects. "Every role I play, even the difficult ones, apparently comes across as wholesome. But after 20-plus years, maybe it's time to try filling myself up differently." This comment reveals his desire to expand his range and challenge audience expectations of his screen persona.
As he concludes the interview, Jung's philosophy about his career becomes clear. "I think it's all about staying consistent, keeping your integrity. Just plugging away," he says quietly, with a wistful tone that suggests both satisfaction with his journey and anticipation for future challenges. "Boss" opens in theaters nationwide this Friday, coinciding with Korea's extended Chuseok holiday period.
