In our new series Rookie Watch, we write about actors that make viewers sit up and take notice. They might be playing a minor role but they are so good at it, you want to know more about them.
The subject of this week's Rookie Watch is actor Ji Soo, who currently plays Go Bok Dong, a thug of a high school student in "Angry Mom."
Viewers took note of him before he even read a line as he was featured in the stills for the upcoming drama. Who is that actor being manhandled by Kim Hee Sun, viewers wanted to know.
And then his character was appealing. Go Bok Dong starts out acting like a tough guy, assuming he is going to be a thug's henchman for life, but his interactions with Kim Hee Sun's character remind him that he has a conscience. He wasn't tough as much as he was numb, unable to imagine another life for himself. He develops a crush on her because he thinks she's a student.
He's a little put off when he finds out that she is really someone's mom but he still likes her and wants to protect her.
It's a great character, which makes it harder to believe that Go Bok Dong is Ji Soo's first major role in a k-drama. He has a theater background and debuted in 2009 in the play "Bom Sam Wasn't There." He starred in various short films, including having a leading role in the Korean-Philippines independent film "Seoul Mates." He also had a small role in the drama "Han Jong Gu." But "Angry Mom" won't be his last role.
The 22-year-old actor is already set to star in the film "Glory Day," a coming-of-age film about 19-year-old friends. The course of their future is changed by a work of art that is nominated for a contest.
Ji Soo is not the only rookie actor in this film. It's also a debut for EXO's Suho. The other newbies are Ryu Joon Yeol, who appeared in the film "Social Phobia," and Kim Hee Chan, who will make his drama debut as Gong Hyo Jin's kid brother in the drama "Producers."
Actress Lee Ji Yeon plays the announcer who sets the incident in motion.
Choi Jung Yeol, who won an award for Short Films at the 29th Blue Dragon Awards, will direct the film. "Glory Day" is scheduled to start shooting in May.
