Yoo Ji-tae says he shows ‘Vigilante’ when his sons misbehave
Yoo Ji-tae / Courtesy of Showbox
Actor Yoo Ji-tae has shown many faces on screen — from gentle, romantic leads to chilling villains and characters with imposing gravitas. Married to actress Kim Hyo-jin and a father of two sons, he is also known as a devoted family man. When reporters commented that he seems softer than before, Yoo widened his eyes and laughed, saying, “Is that so?”
Yoo stars as Han Myeong-hoe in the film “The King’s Warden,” which opened Feb. 4. He said he even altered his appearance for the role. Known for enjoying the physical transformations required for his projects, Yoo explained that he gained more weight than expected this time.
“I put on more weight than I originally planned,” he said. “The director wanted a slimmer look, but I thought that might overlap with the image of Prince Geumseong, so I felt a sturdier build wouldn’t be bad. I like working out, and if I have time, I actually enjoy the whole process of shaping my body like this.”
Asked which actor he would like to work with again, Yoo immediately named Jeon Mi-do. “She’s such a great actress,” he said. “Her attitude is great, her stage energy is amazing, and any director would be grateful to work with her. I’d love to meet her again, even as an older brother or uncle role. Haha.”
He also expressed deep affection for director Jang Hang-jun, who helmed “The King’s Warden. “When it comes to portraying the joys and sorrows of ordinary people, Director Jang is number one,” Yoo said. “If someone were to make a Korean version of Roberto Benigni’s “Life Is Beautiful,” I think he would do it well. His work can feel a bit exaggerated, but it’s lovable and has real depth.”
Yoo Ji-tae / Courtesy of Showbox
As a father of two, Yoo said his busy schedule has so far prevented him from going to the theater with his children. “I haven’t been able to watch a movie with my kids yet,” he said. “But now that this film is out, I think we should go together.” He added that his wife Kim has not yet seen the film either, saying, “Raising two kids isn’t easy.”
At home, Yoo’s filmography has naturally become “educational material.” “My sons have watched ‘Vigilante,’ ‘Oldboy’ and even ‘Three Fellas,” he said with a laugh. “When they don’t listen, I show them clips from ‘Vigilante.’ I show scenes where people get thrown around and tell them, ‘You’ll end up like this.’ Haha.”
When asked what he tells his children most often as a father and as an adult, Yoo paused briefly before answering, “I think I tell them that I hope they learn to share and live together with others.”
Yoo’s interpretation of Han Myeong-hoe in “The King’s Warden” has resulted in a particularly intimidating character. He said he is grateful when audiences describe his roles as “scary.” “People say I’m frightening after watching ‘Money’ or ‘Vigilante,’” he said. “I think that’s because I’ve met good directors, and each villain feels different. If all my characters were the same, I wouldn’t keep getting casting offers.”
Looking ahead, Yoo said he hopes to do more action projects. “I want to try more action roles,” he said. “I’d love to see a Korean action franchise with real weight and depth. I’d like to do a series that runs for two or three films.”
He also shared his thoughts on competing at the holiday box office with “The King’s Warden.” “Ideally, I’d prefer not to compete directly and have separate release dates,” he said. “But if it does come down to competition, I think our film might have a slight edge. The production cost is lower, it has strong humanity, and it’s very people-friendly, which I think suits audiences these days.”
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.