Ahn Jae-hong: Actor who dances to his own tune in 'Chicken Nugget'

Ahn Jae-hong, clad in yellow pants and a pink shirt, appears in a scene from Netflix's new series "Chicken Nugget," released on March 15./Courtesy of Netflix

Since stumbling onto the movie scene in a 2009 short film, Ahn Jae-hong has charmingly bumbled his way into the spotlight, recently earning accolades with his quirky role in the Netflix series "Chicken Nugget," where he is celebrated for his offbeat versatility and depth in character portrayal.

His knack for enlivening lesser-known haracters underscores the profound commitment and adaptability his acting journey embodies.

Ahn's career began modestly, with his debut in the short film "A Perfect Sight" and subsequent roles that saw him juggling acting with part-time jobs at theaters. His early days also included working behind the scenes on the sets of director Hong Sang-soo's films, experiences that undoubtedly shaped his understanding of cinema.

However, it was his roles in the film "The King of Jokgu" (2014) and the drama "Reply 1988" (2015) that catapulted him into the limelight, showcasing his knack for portraying quirky yet endearing characters.

Ahn Jae-hong in a scene from the film "The King of Jokgu"/ Courtesy of KwangHwaMoon Cinema

In his latest ventures, Ahn continues to push the envelope. In "Mask Girl" (2023), he delivered a compelling performance as Joo Oh-nam, engaging in monologues with a "real doll" and showcasing a depth of character that left some film production crew unable to recognize him.

His role in "LTNS" (2024) as Samuel, a man struggling with high interest rates after purchasing an old apartment, further exemplifies his ability to embody diverse personas.

"Chicken Nugget" sees Ahn in yet another unconventional role as Go Baek-joong, a mechanical company intern who dreams of becoming a singer.

For this role, Ahn went to great lengths to perfect his character, even consulting Aiki, the leader of the dance team Hook, who secured the runner-up position in Mnet's "Street Woman Fighter," to learn some dance moves. Additionally, he took guitar lessons and singing classes from Park Sang-woo, a music director he met during the drama "Melo Is My Nature."

During a recent interview in a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Ahn said, "I thought Go Baek-jung looked like me, even down to our eyebrows while reading the webtoon. I felt proud when the original author said I seemed to have jumped right out of the webtoon."

As a consequence of his role's eccentricity, rumors of Ahn's "retirement" have become a running joke online, not because he plans to quit acting, but due to the sheer commitment he brings to his roles, leading fans to marvel, "Is he really going to stop acting after going to such lengths?"

A scene from 'Reply 1988'/ Courtesy of tvN

His dedication to his craft is evident in his willingness to explore and fully immerse himself in his characters, a trait that has not gone unnoticed by his peers. Actor Ryu Seung-ryong described Ahn as "bear-like but fox-like," a testament to his multifaceted talent.

Director Lee Byung-heon of "Chicken Nugget" praised Ahn's irreplaceable role as a "supporting character and comedy actor," highlighting the challenge of finding someone of his caliber. Drama critic Park Saeng-kang lauded Ahn for his knack for making even the most unsympathetic characters relatable through his performances.

Ahn's commitment to his roles, whether it's smearing lotion on his glasses to accentuate a character's quirks or shouting improvised lines, showcases his attention to detail.

As he navigates through his career, Ahn dreams of becoming an actor who can change the way people see, reflecting on his favorite line from "Chicken Nugget" about altering perspectives rather than appearances. Ahn's future in acting promises to be as diverse and impactful as his roles, constantly pushing the boundaries of character portrayal.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.