Jo In Sung has opened up about the criticism he received over his acting during the early years of his career.
During a September 23 appearance on the YouTube channel Baek Eun Ha’s Give and Take, the actor was asked whether his feelings about acting had changed since he first started.
Jo In Sung admitted that acting was not something he always found enjoyable in the beginning.
He explained, “Back then, I don’t think acting was enjoyable. I think I did it because I wanted to become good at it.”
The actor then revealed that he often heard negative comments about his ability.
Jo In Sung said, “I was told many times that I wasn’t good at acting, so I had to face that, overcome it, and keep going.”
He added that as his career progressed, he also felt increasing pressure to continue improving because turning back no longer felt like an option.
His attitude toward acting has since changed. Jo In Sung said he now believes his commitment comes from a genuine love for films rather than simply a desire to prove himself.
He explained that even when a project becomes physically demanding, he still finds himself wanting to push through and hoping the finished work will connect with audiences.
“These days, I think I love movies,” he said. “That’s the only way I can explain it.”
Jo In Sung also described his relationship with acting as something that no longer feels transactional. He pointed to the demanding action scenes he filmed for Hope as an example, saying he realized he was willing to put in the effort because of his love for the work rather than what he expected to receive in return.
The comments offer a different look at Jo In Sung’s career, showing that even an actor who later became a regular choice for acclaimed filmmakers had to work through criticism and doubts about his acting early on.
Jo In Sung recently returned to the big screen in director Lee Chang Dong’s Possible Love, which opened in theaters on September 23 and is scheduled to arrive on Netflix on November 6.
