[Busan = E-Daily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] “It’s like a cow taking a step backward and catching a frog, right? Haha.”

Actor Joo Ji-hoon spoke about “Kingdom,” his first project for an over-the-top (OTT) service, at the Actors’ House event held on the 9th at the Culture Hall on the 9th floor of the Shinsegae Department Store Centum City branch in Haeundae-gu, Busan, as part of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

Joo Ji-hoon is an actor with a portfolio of numerous representative works, ranging from the two 10-million-viewer blockbusters *Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds* and *Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days* to the dramas *Palace*, *Kingdom*, and *Trauma Center*.

In particular, Joo Ji-hoon made the leap to becoming a global actor through “Kingdom,” which was released in 2019. “Kingdom” was Netflix’s first Korean original series and is considered one of the key factors in Netflix’s entry into the Korean market. Director Kim Seong-hoon helmed the project, and writer Kim Eun-hee penned the screenplay.

Joo Ji-hoon said he feels “dazed” by these achievements. “I don’t set specific numbers as goals or act based on them; while I want to be loved, I’m dazed when the results exceed my expectations,” he said.

He also remarked, “Back then, I didn’t even know what Netflix was. Whenever that happens, I tend to keep things simple.” He went on to share a behind-the-scenes story, saying, “At the time, my appearance fee was lower than what I usually received. They said it was still in the early stages and production funds were limited.”

Regarding his decision to take the role, Joo Ji-hoon said, “There’s no right answer, but I think it’s important who’s around you,” mentioning actor Ha Jung-woo and director Kim Sung-hoon.

He said, “At first, I thought, ‘What kind of story is this—a ghost story set in Texas? Does this even make sense? Can we really convince the audience of this?’” He continued, “Still, the story was interesting. I went into it with a simple mindset: ‘If it’s fun, just do it.’”

He then joked, “Honestly, since it’s a platform I didn’t really know much about, I figured it wouldn’t be a huge blow even if it didn’t do well. I thought, ‘Let’s give it a shot—just for the experience.’”

Joo Ji-hoon made his debut in the 2006 drama *Palace* and has since appeared in *The Devil*, *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 Disney+ series *The Remarried Empress* is set to premiere on the 4th of next month. In *The Remarried Empress*, Joo Ji-hoon plays the role of Emperor Sobiesz.

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.