Jung Jun-won reflects on career struggles: 'Am I meant to be an actor?'

Actor Jung Jun-won reflected on his life as an actor, sharing honest feelings following recent controversies regarding his attitude. He revealed that behind the glamorous spotlight lay long periods of waiting, anxiety, and deep contemplation, asking himself, "Am I someone who can continue on this path?"

Jung appeared on the YouTube channel YouTube Ha Jiyoung on the 5th, where he spoke about his acting career and the difficult moments he has faced.

When asked about the "life lessons learned last year," he said, "I think the period leading up to the release of 'Resident Playbook' was the most difficult time of my life.""

He also shared the realistic difficulties of the profession.

"Being an actor is a profession that requires a lot of luck and being chosen by someone," Jung confessed. "Even before being cast in this project, I thought to myself, 'Am I someone who shouldn't be doing this job?'"

Acting is not a profession where everything is decided solely by effort. Amid countless auditions and waiting, one only gets the chance to prove their existence once they are chosen. Jung has fought such uncertainty for a long time.

The project that served as a turning point for him was the tvN drama 'Resident Playbook.'

Receiving public attention 10 years after his debut, he said that his long period of obscurity was not in vain.

"I felt that if it is something you truly love, an opportunity might come if you do not give up until the end.""

However, Jung showed a cautious attitude, stating that his experience should not be easily applied to others.

"To be honest, I cannot easily say this to others," he stated. "I don't think this is a story that applies equally to everyone. I was lucky enough to receive this current opportunity like a miracle.""

He added that he cannot easily answer the concerns of juniors who dream of becoming actors.

"There are times when juniors around me ask, 'Should I quit?'" Jung said. "I feel like they don't really want to hear the answer 'Quit,' but rather want to be comforted.""

He continued, "I cannot speak easily because it might unintentionally become false hope, and I feel like I would be being too irresponsible.""

This was a cautious piece of advice that only someone who has endured an unstable reality for a long time could give.

Nevertheless, Jung expressed his determination to cherish the opportunity that has come to him.

"After not giving up on the work I love, I faced a time that feels like a gift, and opportunities were given to me," he said. "My biggest thought was that I must work just as hard.""

Regarding his current situation, he expressed his overwhelming emotions, saying, "Since the work I have dreamed of is actually coming true, it is a miraculous moment. I am so grateful.""

Recently, Jung has been taking on a new challenge by working alongside Gong Hyo-jin in the MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'The Married Killer.' In the drama, he is showing another side of his charm through a realistic husband character.

Jung began to receive significant public attention 10 years after his debut while working with Go Youn Jung in last year's tvN 'Resident Playbook.' Facing the opportunity that came after a long wait, he is walking the path of an actor once again, accepting both controversy and interest as part of his growth process.