Actor Lee Seung-woo bid an emotional farewell as Disney+’s ‘Kangmaegang’ came to an end. ‘Kangmaegang’ concluded on the 30th. Lee Seung-woo transformed into the youngest detective ‘Jang Tansik’, showcasing his quirky and lively charm throughout the series.

Tansik is a rookie in the serious crime unit, providing comic relief with his clumsy innocence. Despite his eagerness to help in each case, he often ends up being reprimanded by his seniors due to his mistakes.

His realistic portrayal of a dog adds a humorous touch, and he unexpectedly possesses the ability to solve cases, earning applause as the character grows over the episodes. Through ’51k’, Lee Seung-woo shared his thoughts on playing Jang Tansik.

He opened up, “I was worried about portraying him as a character with limitless potential, not just a nuisance.” He continued, “I gained a lot of strength by watching the seniors act. The entire process of rehearsing and harmonizing together was fun.

I think both Tansik and I grew with the support and encouragement from those around us.” Finally, Lee Seung-woo expressed his gratitude to the viewers, saying, “I sincerely thank the viewers who loved ‘Kangmaegang’. I will strive to show a better side of myself in my next project.”

<Here is the Q&A with Lee Seung-woo>

Q. Your thoughts on the conclusion of ‘Kangmaegang’.

From early winter to early summer, I worked hard, filming with seniors and staff in a fun and intense manner. How can we make it fun with the veteran detectives? What can I try within limits? We had in-depth discussions not only on set but also after filming, relying on each other and getting to know each other better during this meaningful time. I sincerely thank the viewers who loved ‘Kangmaegang’ and also extend my gratitude to the director, writer, fellow actors, and staff. I will strive to show a better side of myself in future projects.

Q. ‘Jang Tansik’ is full of clumsy charm and humanity. Any special areas you focused on for this character?

Tansik is a passionate yet mistake-prone rookie detective. I pondered a lot on how to portray him not just as a nuisance but as a character with limitless growth potential. I had numerous discussions with the director about this. As it was a crime drama involving teamwork, the five actors had to synchronize in every scene, which was a novel experience for me, making every scene special. This was also my first comedy genre experience, sparking considerations beyond just the acting.

Q. How was the reaction from those around you?

This was my first role with such a significant part, so my family and acquaintances were amazed and happy whenever I appeared. Hearing compliments on how they enjoyed the work and were captivated by ‘Kangmaegang’s humor made me proud.

Q. What do you think Jang Tansik’s MBTI might be? How does it align with your actual MBTI?

I think my synchronicity with the characters I play is about 50%. Like Tansik, I tend to have a vivid imagination and sometimes display quirky aspects. I think our shared trait is the will to try things even if I’m not sure about them. The difference is that I’m not as extroverted as Tansik. My actual MBTI is INFP, but I tend to switch to INTP when working. Naturally, I overthink, and I tend to dwell on things alone, which can hurt my feelings easily. Yet, I seem to become INTP selectively to shield myself during work.

Q. Your chemistry with actors Kim Dong-wook, Park Ji-hwan, Seo Hyun-woo, and Park Se-wan was great. How was the actual acting synergy?

I usually find it challenging to approach other actors on set, but it was different on the ‘Kangmaegang’ set. Frequent gatherings led to deeper connections beyond work, sharing personal stories, hobbies, and preferences. This was my first physically and mentally demanding role with such an amount of content. However, watching the senior actors inspired me, and rehearsing and honing our performances together was quite enjoyable. The actual scenes were even more fun, often making me stifle chuckles or struggle to hold back laughter. On those days, it felt less like acting and more like enjoying games with close older brothers.

Q. The script was genuinely amusing and heartwarming. Who would you say was the mood maker on set?

I’ve always hoped to naturally translate the amusement I found in the script into my acting. Everyone was lively and bright, and completely immersed themselves in their characters while on set. In this sense, everyone was a mood maker. The abundance of cute props in the daycare set contributed to a joyful and relaxed atmosphere, integrating us naturally.

Q. How did you grow as an actor alongside Jang Tansik, and what did ‘Kangmaegang’ mean to you as an actor?

There were sleepless nights worrying if I could do well till the end, but looking back, it was a time of trusting myself and pushing forward. With the support and encouragement from those around me, both Tansik and I seemed to grow together. In that sense, I feel ‘Kangmaegang’ is akin to a diary for me, chronicling the efforts of myself and those around me.

Q. What are your future plans, and any goals for the upcoming end of the year and New Year?

I will greet the viewers through KBS’s new Wednesday-Thursday drama ‘Face Me’, which airs its first episode on November 6 as we approach the end of the year. I’m excited to meet viewers with a new work after wrapping up ‘Kangmaegang’. Lately, I’m prioritizing health, working out whenever possible, and building my body. A personal goal is to complete a health check-up before the year ends.

Q. Lastly, any words for the viewers of ‘Kangmaegang’?

I shot this series with intense focus on every detail, but it was a project imbued with so much affection that it feels sad to see it end. I hope that, like me, this series brought some laughter into the viewers’ mundane lives or tiring days. Thank you for watching and loving ‘Kangmaegang’. Now that it’s available for consecutive viewing, I hope for N-watch runs from you.

<Photo courtesy of 51k>