In the Netflix thriller As You Stood By, the character of Jang Kang introduces a critical twist. Portrayed by Jang Seung-jo, who also plays the abusive husband Noh Jin-pyo, Jang Kang is a mysterious lookalike who becomes entangled in a murder plot orchemented by two desperate women. His arrival sets off a chain of events that blurs the line between victim and accomplice.
The Dual Roles of Jang Seung-jo
Jang Seung-jo delivers a striking dual performance in As You Stood By. He plays both the violent, wealthy husband Noh Jin-pyo and his exact double, Jang Kang. Though they share a face, their personalities are complete opposites.
Noh Jin-pyo is a menacing and controlling figure. He presents a polished, intelligent image to the world but is emotionally and physically abusive to his wife, Hui-su. He installs surveillance cameras in his home to monitor her every move and uses violence to isolate her.
In contrast, Jang Kang is initially shown as timid, clumsy, and warm. He is an illegal immigrant working in Korea who gets caught up in the main characters’ plans. The actor used different methods, including altered eye movements, facial expressions, dialects, and even breathing rhythms, to make the two characters distinct.
Jang Kang’s Role in the Story
The story follows two women, Jo Eun-su and Jo Hui-su, who decide to kill Hui-su’s abusive husband, Noh Jin-pyo, to escape her dreadful life. After seeing Jang Kang, who looks identical to Jin-pyo, they bring him into their scheme.
Jang Kang agrees to help the women pretend that Hui-su’s husband has left the city. His role is to impersonate Jin-pyo after the murder, using the dead man’s passport to travel to China and cover up the crime.
However, Jang Kang’s story does not end there. Years later, he returns to Korea to blackmail the two women, demanding more money to keep their secret. His return draws the attention of law enforcement, reopening the case and forcing the characters to confront their past actions.
A Shift in Character
While Jang Kang first appears as a naive and helpful figure, his character changes significantly when he returns. He becomes a blackmailer, threatening to expose the truth about the murder. This shift adds a new layer of danger and suspense to the plot.
One viewer noted that the change in his personality was jarring, pointing out that his transformation from a “submissive, quiet worker to a full-blown, crazy laughing psycho” felt extreme for the character that was first introduced. This evolution makes Jang Kang a unpredictable and complex figure in the story.
The Actor’s Next Project
Following the success of As You Stood By, Jang Seung-jo has already confirmed his next project. He will star in an SBS drama titled Beautiful New World, where he will play Choi Moon-do, the president of Chail Construction.
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