Shocking praise from zombie-genre master director Yeon Sang-ho for Ji Chang-wook is going viral.
On the 6th, the production briefing for the film colony was held with Yeon Sang-ho, Jun Ji-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hyun-bin, Kim Shin-rok, Go Soo, and more in attendance.
colony follows a group of survivors trapped in a sealed-off building during a mysterious outbreak, battling infected beings that evolve in unpredictable ways. The film boldly subverts classic zombie tropes with its "evolving infection narrative."
In the film, Ji Chang-wook plays Choi Hyun-seok, a building security team member who fights to survive while carrying his paraplegic older sister (played by Kim Shin-rok) on his back—showcasing fierce determination and layered emotions.
Ji said, "I performed while thinking deeply about my character’s desperate need to save his sister." Director Yeon responded, "Ji Chang-wook was my No.1 casting pick. Despite his good looks, he’s relentless and sincere—an actor who constantly self-reflects," adding, "A long-take action sequence captured purely through his physicality, without flashy camera work, is hands-down a showstopper."
Kim Shin-rok also shared, "Chang-wook practically flew while carrying me—his action work was incredible. Honestly, I was just sitting on top," adding, "To nail the sibling chemistry, we decided to drop formalities the moment we met on set, and it really paid off in the scenes." Director Yeon continued, "Ji Chang-wook delivers a role in colony that’s just like Tanjiro," likening him to the character who grows stronger to protect his sister—paralleling Ji’s character arc.
Netizens reacted, saying, "So Ji Chang-wook really plays a powerhouse," and "Now I’m hyped to see just how insane the action gets."
Meanwhile, colony is slated for a theatrical release this May.