'I gave it my all': Cho Jin-woong steps into Disney+ role after 'Parasite' star's death

Cho Jin-woong felt that he needed to 'give his all' to Disney+ series “No Way Out: The Roulette” after stepping into the role vacated by late "Parasite" star Lee Sun-kyun.

From left, actors Cho Jin-woong, You Chea-myung, Kim Moo-yul, Yum Jung-ah, Sung Yu-been, Lee Kwang-soo and Kim Sung-cheol pose during a press conference for action thriller series "No Way Out: The Roulette" at Conrad Seoul hotel in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

Every role an actor takes on holds a special place in their heart. But Cho Jin-woong's character Baek Joong-sik in the upcoming Disney+ thriller series “No Way Out: The Roulette” carries a somewhat different significance, as the role was originally meant for late “Parasite” star Lee Sun-kyun.

“I wish I could say it was like any other project, but I can’t,” Cho said, showing special affection toward the series during a news conference Wednesday at Conrad Seoul in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul. “A deep sorrow exists.”

“No Way Out: The Roulette” was originally marketed heavily around Lee, who was slated to take the lead role. However, the actor stepped down after becoming embroiled in a drug scandal in October 2023, and was found dead in December of the same year.

The series, which premieres on July 31, includes eight episodes. Two episodes will be released every Wednesday on Disney+.

A still from upcoming action thriller series ″No Way Out: The Roulette″ [STUDIO X+U, TWINFILM]

A still from upcoming action thriller series ″No Way Out: The Roulette″ [STUDIO X+U, TWINFILM]

The show is directed by Choi Kook-hee and Lee Hu-bin and revolves around the struggles and battles of individuals surrounding a 20 billion won ($14.4 million) bounty placed on the life of the notorious criminal of the century, Kim Guk-ho, who is released from prison after 13 years.

Actor Cho portrays the police officer who has been given the duty to protect Guk-ho. Actors You Chea-myung, Yum Jung-ah, Kim Moo-yul, Sung Yu-been, Lee Kwang-soo, Kim Sung-cheol and Taiwanese performer Greg Hsu also feature in the series.

Late actor Lee was a presence on set as well.

“I felt that I needed to contribute more to the series,” Cho said. “I wanted to do well, fulfilling his [Lee Sun-kyun's] share as well. So I gave it my all.”

A still from upcoming action thriller series ″No Way Out: The Roulette″ [STUDIO X+U, TWINFILM]

The fact that Cho stepped into the role last-minute wasn't an obstacle to the actor's performance. “Such a situation motivated me to get closer with the cast and staff, aiming to become a family,” he said.

The other cast members agreed with Cho's assessment that they had grown together while shooting the series.

“The cast of 'No Way Out' is literally a family,” actor Lee Kwang-soo, who plays butcher Yoon Chang-jae, said.

Cho is renowned for taking various detective roles, such as in the series “Signal” (2016) and crime film “Believer” (2018).

“When I say that I’m playing a police officer, reporters always respond asking, ‘Again?’” Cho said. “This time, the police officer I play is a practical, everyday person.”

A still from upcoming action thriller series ″No Way Out: The Roulette″ [STUDIO X+U, TWINFILM]

Though the story mainly revolves around a battle over money, according to Cho, it is more than that. It also captures various human figures and their intense conflicts and alliances, intending to provoke discussions pertinent to modern society.

“There are clearly points that cannot be resolved by the law alone,” Cho said. “The series’ subject is both cold and incisive, and it provides some discussions and debates.”

A 20 billion won bounty against a person’s life may seem dramatic and unrealistic, but it didn't feel that way when Cho was shooting the series.

“The world built in the series is very unique,” Cho said. “At the same time, it gives a feeling that it may actually happen in real life, which is sad.”

Some have pointed out that Guk-ho, who is a notorious criminal, reminds them of convicted child rapist Cho Doo-soon. You, when questioned on the matter, admitted that he also thought of that person when first reading the script. However, he denied intentionally referencing any such figure in his work and said he interpreted his character in a different way.

“I wanted to show that we coexist with such criminals like Guk-ho,” You Chea-myung said. “I thought of Guk-ho as a figure that symbolizes such reality.”

A poster from upcoming action thriller series ″No Way Out: The Roulette″ [STUDIO X+U, TWINFILM]

As “No Way Out: The Roulette,” is releasing on streaming platform Disney+, it will need to appeal to overseas viewers as well as those at home. The cast had no doubt in this regard, emphasizing that their work would touch on the universal essence of humans.

Actor Kim Sung-cheol, who plays young pastor Seong Jun-u, recalls the moment he first encountered the script, expressing his confidence of the series. “I remember the shock I got,” he said, “and I think it will be more shocking when the story is made into motion.”

“'No Way Out: The Roulette’ contains a story more frightening than a horror film,” he added. “I hope the viewers can overcome the extreme heat with our series.”

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]