[Busan = E-Daily Starin, Reporter Choi Hee-jae ] “I cooked meals for the production staff of ‘The Remarried Empress’ and asked them about the appeal of this show.”

Actor Joo Ji-hoon spoke about his role in and the preparation process for *The Remarried Empress* at the Actors’ House event for the 31st Busan International Film Festival, held on the 9th at the Culture Hall on the 9th floor of the Shinsegae Department Store Centum City branch in Haeundae-gu, Busan.

Joo Ji-hoon is set to star in the Disney+ series “The Remarried Empress,” which premieres on the 4th of next month. He plays the role of Emperor Sobiesz in the series.

He revealed that he had turned down the role in *The Remarried Empress* two or three times, explaining, “I didn’t feel I had a deep enough understanding of the show’s world.”

Regarding why he ultimately decided to star in “The Remarried Empress,” he explained, “Someone I trust deeply wrote me a letter to persuade me,” adding, “I also became curious about why this series has received so much love and what aspects of it audiences would enjoy.”

Joo Ji-hoon said, “It was challenging because we’re Asian actors but the characters have foreign names, but I got a feel for it during the first table read.”

He continued, “I thought it would be easier to approach it like a musical rather than in a realistic tone,” adding, “For example, when performing ‘Hamlet,’ you don’t feel awkward, do you? When I approached it that way, many of the mental barriers came crashing down.”

Joo Ji-hoon also recalled the month-long location shoot in the Czech Republic. “I cooked meals for the production team at my lodging,” he said. “I asked staff members of various ages what they found appealing about me, and they explained a lot to me.” He continued, “To be honest, I didn’t understand it at first. I tried to bridge the gap and understand.”

Why did Joo Ji-hoon, who has appeared in many genre films over the years, return to the romance genre after such a long time? He replied, “An actor’s job is to be put to use, and someone has to come looking for me.”

He continued, “It’s not that I deliberately avoided the romance genre, but as I was filming, it seemed like romance and I were worlds apart; however, with the recent trend toward romance, it seems to have found its way to me as well.”

Joo Ji-hoon made his debut in the 2006 drama *Palace* and has since appeared in *The Devil’s Advocate*, *Kingdom*, *Hyena*, *Jirisan*, *Dominant Species*, *The Lighting Store*, *Trauma Center*, and *Climax*. He has also appeared in films such as *Antique: A Western-Style Confectionery*, *Kitchen*, *I Am the King*, *Good Friends*, *Asura*, *Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds*, *Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days*, *The Spy Gone North*, *Male and Female Murder*, *The Gentleman*, *Unofficial Operation*, and *Escape: Project Silence*.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held throughout Busan until the 15th at venues including the Busan Cinema Center, CGV Centum City, Lotte Cinema Centum City, the Korean Film Council’s Standard Screening Room, the Sohyang Theater Woori Bank Hall, and the Busan Viewers’ Media Center Public Hall.