Actor So Jisub, in his seventh year of marriage, expressed a special affection for his wife, Jo Eun-jung. There was affection in his cautious wish to be called by the name "Jo Eun-jung" rather than "So Jisub's wife."
So Jisub, on the afternoon of the 30th at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, during an end-of-series interview for the SBS Friday-Saturday drama Manager Kim (written by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), mentioned the show's popularity and his wife's reaction.
Manager Kim is a revenge action drama about ordinary father Kim Bu-jang, who becomes the most dangerous man in the world to find his one and only daughter. It began with a first-episode rating of 9.5% (Nielsen Korea) and became a rare hit by surpassing 20% in just four episodes. It was overwhelmingly a topic of conversation throughout its run.
In particular, So Jisub, taking on the role of Kim Bu-jang, delivered heartfelt paternal love and dazzling, overwhelming action acting, completing a new defining role of his life. While performing high-difficulty action and emotional acting simultaneously, he excellently completed his version of "Manager Kim."
As he repeatedly got through difficult works, what gave him strength was, as expected, his family and friends. So Jisub said, "What gives me strength are my family, my friends, a small elite group — it seems to be those people. And I relieve a lot through exercise. When I'm struggling, there are many times I push myself to the extreme so I can't think of anything else."
"Manager Kim," too, was accomplished admirably with the encouragement of those who give him strength. When asked about his wife Jo Eun-jung's reaction, given how much attention the show attracted throughout its broadcast, he said, "We watched it together. Mothers and wives tend not to watch the work first but to first see the hardships within it. They said I worked hard and that it was fun, and when they hear good things from those around them, they tell me about it."
Even so, So Jisub was cautious about mentioning Jo Eun-jung. So Jisub said, "I'm cautious... I hope she lives not as someone's wife but under her own name, so I'm careful and try not to say much. I hope she lives by her own name," conveying his sincere feelings.
So Jisub quietly registered his marriage and became a couple with Jo Eun-jung, a broadcaster 17 years his junior, on April 2020, without a separate wedding ceremony.
After marriage, So Jisub appeared noticeably more relaxed and at ease. In fact, in an interview after marriage for the 2022 film "Confession," So Jisub said, "I'm happy. I didn't know, but after getting married I actually felt a sense of stability. My insomnia really disappeared, and I think I became a little more mature psychologically. I unreservedly recommend marriage."
[Photo] Provided by FiftyoneK.
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