Joo Won is likely feeling the weight of being a lead actor more than ever. 

After three years of navigating the pandemic and completing his military service, his long-awaited film 'The Firefighter' finally hit theaters, four years after filming wrapped.

This marks Joo Won’s return to the big screen after nine years, a comeback made heavier by two factors: first, he must shoulder the film’s promotion alone, as his co-star Kwak Do Won has stayed out of the public eye since his DUI incident in September 2022; second, the film is based on a heartbreaking true story, placing significant responsibility on Joo Won to convey its sincerity.

'The Firefighter,' which premiered on December 4, depicts the harrowing conditions faced by firefighters during the 2001 Hongje-dong fire tragedy. The film is based on the real-life story of the Seobu Fire Station in Seoul, whose crew was deployed with the sole mission of extinguishing the fire and rescuing everyone, despite dire circumstances.

In the film, Joo Won plays Cheol Woong, a rookie firefighter. A former athlete and academic achiever, he is the quintessential model student. Persuaded to join the fire service by his senior Yong Tae (played by Kim Min Jae), Cheol Woong finds himself overwhelmed from the very first accident scene he is dispatched to. While his colleagues subtly encourage him, helping him adapt, he begins to question the system that forces firefighters to risk their own lives to save others under such harsh conditions.

Joo Won’s innocent and pure-eyed portrayal of Cheol Woong undergoes a striking transformation about 20 minutes into the story. As a series of unsettling scenes unfold, tragedy strikes when one of the crew is lost. Traumatized by the death of his colleague, Cheol Woong spirals into despair, his once-bright eyes dulled. During his leave of absence, he battles feelings of self-doubt and helplessness, even experiencing physical symptoms of avoidance.

Determined to overcome his trauma, he returns to work, his gaze now carrying a streak of defiance. Cheol Woong confronts his team leader Jin Seop (played by Kwak Do Won), blaming him for the loss and demanding to be reassigned to a position where he can work to improve the system that he believes fosters unnecessary sacrifice. However, he later breaks down in front of paramedic Seo Hee (Yoo Young), expressing his guilt and frustration. Ultimately, Cheol Woong grapples with the question of whether he is truly qualified to save lives and charges into the Hongje-dong fire with renewed purpose.

Joo Won’s expressive performance stands out as he captures the inner growth of a rookie firefighter who starts out passionate but naive. From his breakout role in the drama 'Bread, Love, and Dreams' (2010), Joo Won has been praised for his ability to convey duality in his expressions, a skill he employs here to meticulously portray the emotional progression of his character. This contrast is especially evident in Cheol Woong’s demeanor during the two major fire scenes—one at the beginning and one at the end of the film. His restrained yet poignant portrayal in a scene where he mourns his fallen colleagues reflects director Kwak Kyung Taek’s intention to maintain a subdued tone.

Director Kwak specifically praised Joo Won’s intense gaze, saying, “Joo Won’s powerful eyes made him a perfect match for Kwak Do Won in one-on-one scenes. He brought a resilience to the character that could have easily come off as unlikeable.” He added, “Cheol Woong could have been a dislikable character, but Joo Won made him compelling with his determination.”

Joo Won, in turn, credited the film’s realistic environment for his performance. He shared “While Cheol Woong may seem unlikable to some, his perspective is one anyone could relate to. I always think deeply about how to deliver my lines, but for this project, I focused on immersing myself naturally in the realistic setting created by the director."

Cultural critic Kim Heon Sik noted, “Cheol Woong is a character who balances kindness with sharp judgment. Joo Won’s ability to embody both warmth and precision, from his facial expressions to his tone, made the character believable. This is a stark departure from his previous approach in Good Doctor.”

Critic Kim Heon Sik also emphasized the appeal of Joo Won’s coming-of-age arc. He shared, “While it might be difficult to fully immerse oneself in Kwak Do Won’s veteran firefighter due to external controversies, Cheol Woong’s growth is a central pillar of the narrative. Moreover, it aligns with themes that resonate with modern audiences. Joo Won’s performance successfully delivers a relatable and compelling story of a young man’s journey.”

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