[article] IFFAM: Talent Ambassador, Jang Keun-suk on Balancing Acting and Directing

Credit: VARIETY

MACAO – Jang Keun-suk, the Korean actor and singer who is riding a huge wave of popularity, Friday gave the new IFFAM some necessary wow factor.
In town as the festival’s talent ambassador, Jang presented two short films that he has directed, and mingled with ordinary festival-goers. The Macao Tower venue was packed with fans of his TV shows “Beethoven Virus,” and “You’re Beautiful,” or his song “200 Miles.” Many of the fans tried to catch the 29-year-old’s eye by waving electrified banners.
“What I like the most about the IFFAM is that it is a place where I can network with people from different parts of the world, not just Korea,” said Jang.
Jang’s latest directorial work, “The Great Legacy” sees the story of a frustrated young man who waits for his comatose father to wake up and give him the PIN to his bank account. His earlier short film “Daega Elementary School” stars Jang as himself revisiting the school he graduated 20 years ago.
During the Q&A session that followed the screenings, Jang was asked to compare his two jobs—actor and director.
“Directing is of course laborious. Acting, however, is also a big deal. Actors have to create something out of nothing from within,” said Jang. “Considering my personality, I think I am more of an actor-type person.”