Jo Jung-suk transforms into woman with 7kg weight loss for role in 'Pilot'

Jo Jung-suk's transformation into a woman for his role in "Pilot" is sparking curiosity. Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

Actor Jo Jung-suk went to great lengths to perfect his role in the upcoming comedy film "Pilot," shedding 7 kilograms and undergoing acupressure therapy to convincingly portray a male character in disguise as a woman.

"Pilot" follows the story of Han Jung-woo, played by Jo, a once-celebrated pilot who loses his job due to a mistake, leading to a series of personal and professional setbacks, including a divorce and ruined reemployment attempts.

In a dramatic turn of events, Jung-woo reinvents himself as his sister, Han Jung-mi, and embarks on a journey to reclaim his life, only to encounter unexpected challenges.

The recently released behind-the-scenes video showcases Jo's dedication to his dual role, highlighting his statement, "'Pilot' was fresh, new and a challenge I wanted to take on."

The production team also emphasized its efforts to portray Jo's transformation realistically without exaggeration.

To embody Han Jung-mi, Jo not only lost over 7 kilograms but also donned more than a hundred outfits.

Jo Jung-suk disguises himself as a woman in "Pilot." Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

During a press event for the show, Jo said, "I had an agreement with the costume director to lose weight through a low-carb, high-fat diet. I also did a lot of acupressure and lymph node massages to accentuate my jawline."

Jo admitted he drew inspiration from the movie "Mrs. Doubtfire" and reflected on how his vision for the film aligned with the director's comedic approach.

He assured audiences that the film's humor would come across as genuine rather than feeling like a caricature.

"Pilot" is set to premiere on July 31, promising an intriguing and comedic storyline.

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