Ji Chang Wook reveals he created and deleted a secret 'flex' account

Actor Ji Chang Wook shared a unique experience of creating a private SNS account that he didn't disclose to anyone, where he enjoyed 'flexing' by himself. He confessed that while he had the desire to show off when purchasing expensive items, he felt burdened to post them on his official account, so he ultimately created an account that only he could see.

On the 17th, content featuring actors Son Ye Jin, Ji Chang Wook, and Nana was released on the Netflix Korea YouTube channel to promote the movie "Scandals." In the video, the three actors shared their personal experiences while discussing SNS, private lives, and their works.

The conversation began with Son Ye Jin's secondary SNS account. When the topic of Son Ye Jin's SNS activity arose, Ji Chang Wook made an unexpected confession, stating that he had had a similar experience in the past.

"Since people use SNS so much these days, at some point, I wanted to show off," Ji Chang Wook said. "I also occasionally buy expensive or nice things, and usually, people post those kinds of things, don't they?"

The problem was his official account. He felt it would be burdensome to post his personal spending on an official SNS account open to the public. Ji Chang Wook spoke candidly, saying, "It would feel a bit too obnoxious to post on my official account, but I wanted to boast about my 'flex' on SNS."

Ultimately, the method he chose was a 'secret account of my own.' Ji Chang Wook explained, "I made a private account just for myself and posted things there. So that no one else could see."

When Yoo Byung Jae jokingly countered, "Then what was the point? Isn't that like climbing a mountain and shouting 'Yahoo'?" Ji Chang Wook laughed and admitted, "That's right."

It was essentially a digital space for self-expression where he could record the items he wanted to buy and moments he liked to satisfy himself, rather than an SNS intended to be shown to others.

Ji Chang Wook even provided specific examples. "For instance, if I bought a car. Since I don't post car photos often, I'd post something like that," he said, mentioning car photos. He continued, "You know how it is. A photo of a steering wheel. I'd take a shot wearing a watch, post it to my private account, and be satisfied by myself."

While he was posting photos only he could see rather than 'proof shots' for public viewing, the fact that the composition and subject matter were not much different from typical SNS 'flex' posts drew laughter. He was practicing the typical SNS photo grammar—subtly revealing luxury items through things like a car steering wheel or a wristwatch—within his own secret space.

However, there was a limit to this 'solo flex.' Ji Chang Wook revealed that he eventually stopped running the account, saying, "After a little while passes, it only becomes a boast if someone sees it, but since no one was looking."

On SNS, 'likes,' comments, and view counts provide a form of social response to the person posting, going beyond mere numbers. Even if it is a record for oneself, if there is no one else to look at it, the very purpose of the act of 'boasting' can fade. Ji Chang Wook's anecdote playfully demonstrates that SNS is a space for self-expression while simultaneously being a social platform that operates on the premise of reactions from others.

Yoo Byung Jae, upon hearing this story, worried about the fans' reaction. When he said, "If you tell them this, the fans will try desperately to find it," Ji Chang Wook immediately replied, "You can't find it now. I deleted it."

It is reported that Ji Chang Wook's secret flex account no longer exists. This effectively blocked the possibility of fans finding past posts or tracing the identity of the account. Based solely on the revealed anecdote, it remains unconfirmed exactly which cars or watches he purchased or how many posts he uploaded.

The reason this confession is interesting is that even Ji Chang Wook, a star quite familiar to the public, had a 'private SNS desire' he didn't want to show anyone. While he must consider his works, schedule, and public image on his official account, in a private space, he can escape such calculations and freely record what he likes.

Ji Chang Wook is an actor who has expanded his range across dramas, movies, and musicals since his debut in 2008. Through various works such as "Smile Again," "Empress Ki," "Healer," "Suspicious Partner," "Melting Me Softly," and "The Worst of Evil," he has broadened his genre spectrum from romance to action and noir. He also established his presence among global viewers through Netflix's "The Sound of Magic" and "The Worst of Evil."

Recently, he embarked on a new acting transformation with Son Ye Jin and Nana in the movie "Scandals." Set in the Joseon Dynasty, the work features three characters engaged in a dangerous love gamble, with the relationship and emotional tension between the three actors being a key point of interest. During the promotion for the film, Ji Chang Wook's personal SNS anecdote drew unexpected attention.

Ultimately, Ji Chang Wook's secret account was less of an "exposure account" for a glamorous star and more of a small digital space created to satisfy himself privately. Buying a nice car, wearing a watch, and taking a photo to look at alone—the paradox of SNS is that even in those moments, one still hopes someone is watching.

"It only becomes a boast if someone sees it," Ji Chang Wook's candid confession accurately captures the human psychology of the SNS era. A 'flex' that no one sees may be a record, but it is hard to complete the act of 'boasting.' His conclusion was simple: create a secret account, and then delete it.