Director Jang Jin Recalls Won Bin's Past During 16-Year Hiatus: "He Would Come Whenever Called, Didn't Drink or Smoke"

As actor Won Bin remains in a 16-year hiatus from film and television work following the movie 'The Man from Nowhere', Director Jang Jin, who worked with him in the past, has revealed glimpses of his youthful days. Although he is a top star who is rarely seen in works these days, the recollection is that during his film debut, he was a humble young man who wore tracksuits and slippers and enjoyed going to PC rooms. Despite the long hiatus, public interest in Won Bin's past is drawing attention again.

In a video released on the YouTube channel 'Zzanbro Shin Dong-yup' on the 12th, Director Jang Jin and actor Jung Woong-in appeared to discuss the connections and memories they built in the film industry in the past. Director Jang Jin is the person who directed 'Guns & Talks', which was Won Bin's film debut. When Shin Dong-yup asked how he recruited Won Bin, Director Jang drew attention by vividly conveying the atmosphere of that time.

Jang Jin reminisced, "Bin-i was the type to come whenever he was called back then." He added, "It was when he used to walk around in tracksuits and slippers. He was a free-spirited kid with no sense of fashion." This is quite different from the current Won Bin, who is remembered for his glamorous style and mysterious image. The image of the young Won Bin, who moved around freely in comfortable clothes rather than following star etiquette or dressing up, remained in Director Jang's memory.

Compliments regarding his personality followed. Jang Jin said of Won Bin, "He is fun. He was so kind and so good." It is said that even when many people gathered to spend time together, Won Bin preferred going to PC rooms rather than enjoying alcohol. Director Jang added, "Since he didn't drink much, he loved going to PC rooms." His humble side, enjoying games over drinking sessions, left an impression on his colleagues at the time.

Won Bin made his face known to the public from the late 1990s and established himself as a top star in the 2000s, moving between films and dramas. In particular, he showed his presence as an actor through films such as 'Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War' and 'Mother', and 'The Man from Nowhere', released in 2010, is considered his representative work. However, since 'The Man from Nowhere', he has not appeared in new films or dramas. As his work has not continued for a long period, whether he will return has become one of the representative interests in the entertainment industry.

In the conversation that day, the theater activities of Director Jang Jin and Jung Jae-young were also mentioned. When Shin Dong-yup mentioned that he encountered the film 'Righteous Ties' through a recent algorithm and asked about Jung Jae-young's theater career, Jang Jin explained, "I received it at the 'Dongrang Theater Festival' in '88, and Jung Jae-young in '89. It is the largest theater festival among youth theater festivals." Stories of the time they built their skills on the theater stage before working in the film industry continued, revealing the long connection between the two.

The fact that public interest continues despite Won Bin not engaging in work for a long time can be seen as a result of the strong impression left by his representative works combined with his rarely disclosed private life. However, the story revealed this time is an anecdote from the past remembered by Director Jang Jin, and it does not show Won Bin's current life or future return plans. While attention is focused on when Won Bin, who still arouses curiosity despite the long hiatus, will stand before the public again through a work, the recollection of his fellow director has brought back memories of his humble appearance before he became a star.

Read the original (Korean)