Actor Ji Chang-wook (지창욱) recently garnered significant attention by revealing his deep thoughts and challenges regarding his first historical drama bed scene in the Netflix series 'Snow White's Revenge'.
Ji Chang-wook's Choice: A 30s Actor's Challenge
Ji Chang-wook showcased his first historical drama bed scene since his debut in Netflix's 'Snow White's Revenge', demonstrating his commitment to expanding his acting range. In a press interview on September 22nd, he candidly shared, "I thought many times about whether I could do a bed scene. I spent a considerable amount of time contemplating what kind of project it should be and why I should do it, if I were to do one." He added, "However, I concluded that if it was 'Jowon' in 'Snow White's Revenge,' I could do it. I was able to find the courage because it was a project with Director Jung Ji-woo."
Ji Chang-wook emphasized that taking on this role at 39 years old was "a major challenge in life and something worth attempting." He explained, "I am striving to break free from my previous image and broaden my acting spectrum," adding that the process of finding the strength to get back up after falling is more important than simply taking an easy path that only garners applause. His choice suggests that 'Snow White's Revenge' goes beyond mere sensationalism, serving as an element that adds complex emotions and narrative depth to the characters.
https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/why-actor-ji-chang-wook-said-yes-to-his-first-sex-scene-in-period-k-drama-the-scandal넷플릭스 대만 인기 순위 Top 2
Source: Yahoo Movies & Drama Editorial Team (September 25, 2026)
'Dangerous Liaisons' Reimagined: Forbidden Desires in the Joseon Era
Netflix's 'Snow White's Revenge' is an 8-episode series starring Son Ye-jin (손예진), Ji Chang-wook, and Nana (나나), which premiered on September 18th. This drama reinterprets Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' 18th-century French novel 'Dangerous Liaisons' by setting it in the Joseon Dynasty (조선 시대, Korea's last dynastic kingdom, 1392-1897). It marks the second Korean remake, following the 2003 film 'Untold Scandal'. Directed by Jung Ji-woo, the series boldly portrays forbidden desires hidden beneath the strict moral codes of the Joseon era.
Notably, Son Ye-jin makes a striking transformation, marking her first historical drama appearance in 24 years since 'Daemang' and her first comeback project since her marriage. Immediately after its release, the drama climbed to the Top 2 on Taiwan Netflix's popularity rankings, garnering immense interest from viewers.
Director's Delicate Direction and Actors' Deep Immersion
The drama utilized long-take filming techniques in several scenes to delicately capture the characters' emotions. Son Ye-jin mentioned in an Elle.com interview that "within the constraints of a historical drama, the long, continuous camera work helped capture the natural and raw emotions of the characters." Ji Chang-wook also shared that the director filmed long takes for over 10 minutes, capturing the actors in their most natural state.
Nana confessed about her role as the young widow Ahn Hee-yeon, saying, "I was exhausted after every shoot," revealing the significant emotional toll it took to portray the complex mix of her character's innocence, curiosity about the outside world, and fear. Son Ye-jin stated that watching Nana's character made her "just want to hug her," expressing strong empathy for her purity and vulnerability.
Meanwhile, Son Ye-jin shared a 'silkworm rearing' diary on her social media a year ago, adding a charming behind-the-scenes detail by revealing that these silkworms were brought from the set of 'Snow White's Revenge'. This was because there was a scene in the drama where Lady Jo handled silkworms for silk production.
https://www.elle.com/tw/entertainment/drama/g73862529/the-scandal-behind-the-scenes/, https://tw.news.yahoo.com/netflix%E3%80%8A%E6%8C%91%E6%83%85%E9%86%9C%E8%81%9E%E3%80%8B%E5%AD%AB%E8%97%9D%E7%9C%9F1%E5%B9%B4%E5%89%8D%E6%84%8F%E5%9C%96%E5%8A%87%E9%80%8F-%E6%B1%A0%E6%98%8C%E6%97%AD%E9%81%BA%E9%AB%98eq%E5%9B%9E%E6%87%89-144329943.htmlDetailed Mise-en-scène and Viewer Reactions
'Snow White's Revenge' also incorporates deep meaning into its costumes, colors, and spatial design. Costume designer Kim Young-jung revealed that the green hues of Lady Jo's outfits were made to deepen as her emotions and desires intensified. Furthermore, the traditional paper flowers behind Lady Jo's inner residence, while using plum blossoms (매화, a symbol of nobility), ultimately being artificial flowers, hint at her circumstances and hidden true feelings. The layered doors in Lady Jo's abode visualize the maintenance of face (체면, social standing) for a noble yangban (양반, traditional ruling class) family and the insurmountable boundaries, while the writings filling widow Hee-yeon's room concretize her emotions trapped within the constraints of the era.
Mixed Viewer Reactions and Actors' High-EQ Responses
After its release, the drama received mixed reviews in Korean online communities, with some comments like "there's nothing to see besides the bed scenes" or "the movie version is more classic." In particular, Ji Chang-wook was compared to Bae Yong-joon from the film version, facing criticism for a perceived lack of "sexual tension." He responded with a high-EQ answer: "Comparisons are inevitable, but discussing who did better holds no meaning for me. I tried to show my own 'Jowon'." He added that he did not focus on his appearance or physique during filming and intentionally avoided visiting the gym.
The actors' candid behind-the-scenes stories and deep understanding of the work contribute to enhancing the immersion in 'Snow White's Revenge'. These elements add depth to the drama and spark viewers' interest.
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