Back to basics: Cho Jung-seok goes from A-list actor to rookie singer in Netflix show

Actor Cho Jung-seok, known for his talented vocal skills, is now setting off to follow his dream as he officially debuts as a singer.

A still from upcoming Netflix's documentary reality show ″A-list to Playlist″ [NETFLIX]

Actor Cho Jung-seok, known for his talented vocal skills, is now setting off to follow his dream as he officially debuts as a singer. Cho's journey is documented in the Netflix reality show “A-list to Playlist,” which comes out Aug. 30. It is a project the actor never imagined would become so big.

“It feels strange to be called a singer, which was a dream I had dreamt of since I was young," Cho said during the show’s press conference held in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Tuesday. “These days, I spend my days wondering if it's a dream or reality.”

“A-list to Playlist,” produced by Yang Jung-woo and Lee Jung-won, follows actor Cho’s 100-day journey to debut as a singer and release a full-length album. The show is set to release songs written by Cho himself and showcase live performances of the actor-turned-singer.

Cho also performed “Champagne,” the lead track of his upcoming album during the press conference as a sneak peek. He started off by saying, “Everyone, could you please listen to my music?”

Cast and producers of Netflix upcoming documentary reality show "A-list to Playlist" pose for a photo during a press conference held in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Aug. 27. [NETFLIX]

The history between Yang and Cho goes back almost a decade, when they worked together on the reality show “Youth Over Flowers” in 2016. This became the start of the whole project.

“While shooting ‘Youth Over Flowers,’ I was able to observe, by chance, how Cho spent his time off-camera during our 10-day stay for the shoot,” Yang said. “What stood out to me the most was his passion for music, which made me want to explore his real side by making music with him.”

However, it wasn't until early last year when producer Yang met with Cho personally and found inspiration for the documentary series.

Actor Cho Jung-seok performs “Champagne,” the lead track of his upcoming full-length album during a press conference held in Mapo District, western Seoul, on Aug. 27. [NETFLIX]

"Cho showed me a few songs that he had written, saying that it's his hobby these days. The songs were better than I expected. Seeing Cho truly enjoying the moment inspired me to want to capture that side by making a program."

The producers aimed to go with Cho’s flow while making the program, taking out staged factors as much as possible.

“Our show just follows the flow,” Yang said. “So, I believe overseas viewers will also be able to easily understand the comedic points and [the actor’s] concerns in the show.”

Although the actor already has a 20-year-long acting career, becoming a professional singer was a totally different experience. Cho said, “I remember the difficult and exhausting times I experienced when I was alone.”

Singer IU from the upcoming Netflix's documentary reality show ″A-list to Playlist″ [NETFLIX]

“Though I enjoy creating new pieces, the pressure to complete a song in a limited time made me very anxious,” he said, adding that his main goal was to make good music for the listeners.

Cho said he was able to overcome obstacles thanks to the people who gladly stepped up to help him.

The first two people were the “two Sang-hoons” — actor Jung Sang-hoon and entertainer Moon Sang-hoon. The two gathered and stepped up to help their friend Cho become a singer by establishing JungSang Productions, a project agency dedicated to the actor.

Various artists and actors are set to appear alongside the two Sang-hoons to support the actor's dream of becoming a singer. The supporters, also dubbed “Dream Maker,” include singers IU, Park Hyo-shin, his wife Gummy, the cast of tvN series “Hospital Playlist” (2020-21) and actor Kong Hyo-jin.

Actor Cho Jung-seok and his wife singer Gummy perform in the upcoming Netflix's documentary reality show ″A-list to Playlist″ [NETFLIX]

Cho’s wife, Gummy, a veteran singer, was one of his closest supporters and believers, according to the actor.

"I gained a lot of courage when I heard that I was doing well and that I should trust myself and keep going from one of my closest people, Gummy,” Cho said.

Gummy was the one to give me the most honest critiques while also boosting my confidence, he added.

Another memorable moment for the actor was with IU, who worked together with Cho on the KBS series “You Are the Best!” (2013).

“I still remember the moment when IU told me, ‘You're already making awesome music,'” he said.

The cast of ″Hospital Playlist″ (2020-21) records a song together in the upcoming Netflix's documentary reality show ″A-list to Playlist″ [NETFLIX]

One of the most unexpected and nerve-racking scenes during the project was when he was assessed by music professionals, according to the actor.

“I was so stunned,” Cho said. “It was so unexpected, and I was so nervous that I wondered if I had ever shaken this much in my entire life."

Despite the tense moment, the actor found the experience truly helpful in developing his musical experience.

Jung, who has been friends with Cho for over 20 years, strongly stressed and complimented Cho’s vocal abilities, saying, “Cho’s vocal tone captures and conveys far more emotion than any other singer.”

Actor Kong Hyo-jin, above, and Kim Dae-myeung pose for a photo for upcoming Netflix's documentary reality show ″A-list to Playlist″ [NETFLIX]

“I believe that the viewers will be able to see the history of Cho through his album,” Jung added.

Cho also expressed his desire to earn the title of singer-songwriter through the project, despite being a rookie in the music industry.

“'Rookie singer Cho Jung-seok’ is also a good title, but if I could wish for more, I would want to be known as a singer-songwriter, as I wish to make various songs.”

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