It feels like yesterday's me or tomorrow's me. Lee Jong-suk's work life in 'Seocho-dong' digs deep into the inner workings of office workers, eliciting empathy from viewers.
In the tvN weekend drama 'Seocho-dong' (written by Lee Seung-hyun, directed by Park Seung-woo), which aired on the 3rd, Lee Jong-suk intricately and delicately portrayed the changes of Joo-hyung (played by Lee Jong-suk) who begins to confront the sense of doubt and discomfort he feels as an office worker. Starting with what he wants to do, the life of an office worker who must do what he has to do was completely reflected in Joo-hyung. As a result, the 10th episode recorded an average viewership rating of 6.6% in the metropolitan area, a peak of 7.7%, an average of 6.1% nationwide, and a peak of 7.2% (based on paid platforms including cable, IPTV, and satellite / provided by Nielsen Korea), setting a new record for its highest viewership rating. It ranked first in the same time slot among cable and comprehensive channels.
With a face that reflects doubt and discomfort, Joo-hyung spent his day telling himself that it would be okay after saying 'it's okay.' For him, an experienced office worker who has become accustomed to the discomfort embedded deep in his heart, change has begun to unfold. He initially participated as a legal representative in the courtroom on behalf of the client in the given case, viewing anything beyond that as not his responsibility. As days went by, the discomfort deeply seated in his heart started to manifest outside. Although he thought that what mattered more than cases chosen for high fees would be a successful office life, the discomfort that came to Joo-hyung, who had been enduring it, resonated with the viewers as they shared in his doubts and fractures in his associate life.
The portrayal of Joo-hyung, who chose to confront rather than repeat the same daily routine, was impressively captured. Lee Jong-suk vividly illustrated Joo-hyung's change as he began to confront his discomfort. Unlike before, when he swiftly handled tasks assigned by the company while excluding emotions, he now confronted his discomfort. When the CEO questioned, 'Weren't you originally someone who disliked this?' he candidly confessed, 'I have never not been uncomfortable. I was just accustomed to discomfort,' which would have been a statement he wouldn't have made in the past. This reflected the grace of adulthood that Lee Jong-suk portrays. The composure in expressing determination within restrained emotions without anger while directly confronting discomfort made it easier for the audience to empathize and immerse themselves in Joo-hyung's growth in his office life.
Lee Jong-suk delicately and accurately brought the emotions of professional doubt, deeply embedded in Joo-hyung, to the surface. The gradually awakening 'discomfort' in his heart added a chill to the expression and gaze, showing the tightness in even the minute facial muscles and revealing the fading emotions. The detailed expressions allowed Joo-hyung's internal changes to be felt explosively without major drops in intensity. By expressing cold feelings passionately, he perfectly conveyed the doubts and anger he felt, evoking deep empathy.
In particular, Joo-hyung's appearance, stepping out of work with a bittersweet face after resolving a case while knowing the circumstances of the victim, felt pitiful. Furthermore, when he received an insurance subscription call from an employee related to the case and showed his concern for the employee's well-being, expressing his willingness to subscribe, it vividly showcased the heavy heart of Joo-hyung, who had just completed a long and tiring day. Lee Jong-suk's captivating performance led viewers to see him exactly as Joo-hyung, highlighting the character's turning point and making them eager to follow Joo-hyung's journey until the end.
'Seocho-dong' airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 p.m. on tvN.
[Photo] Provided by tvN.
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