[NEWS] Jung Gunjoo Captivates Viewers with His Subtle Emotional Acting in Way Back Love

#JungGunjoo Captivates Viewers with His Delicate Emotional Acting in Way Back Love.

The TVING original series Way Back Love (produced by CJ ENM and Studio MONDO, distributed by TVING), which recently released its final episode, is a youth fantasy romance that unfolds when Ramwoo (played by Gong Myoung), the first love of Heewan (played by Kim Minha), reappears before her as a grim reaper after she has turned away from the world and let her youth slip away. With its cinematic production and outstanding performances by the cast, the series has been praised as a well-made drama.

Jung Gunjoo, who plays Hongseok, elevates the show's emotional intensity by portraying the character's complex psychology with great precision. Although Hongseok appears cheerful on the surface, he carries the trauma of a false start in life—an early disqualification that led him to give up swimming, something he had pursued for years. Now, he lives with lingering anxiety about an uncertain future.

Hongseok returns to the swimming pool—a place he had avoided—to help Heewan prepare for her art school entrance exam. He calmly shares why he quit swimming, and though he smiles, his trembling gaze reveals lingering confusion and regret, stirring deep sympathy among viewers. Realizing through Heewan that he still loves swimming, Hongseok resolves to follow his heart. When a security guard asks about his relationship with Heewan, he boldly replies, “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s my crush,” endearing himself to viewers with his candid honesty.

However, after Ramwoo’s death, Hongseok’s world changes. While Heewan mourns, he forces a smile, trying to appear unaffected. But this façade leads others to assume he has moved on. In a heartbreaking moment, Hongseok finally breaks down, unable to accept the loss of his best friend. “How could I ever forget Ramwoo? You know what he meant to me” he says through tears—laying bare the sorrow he had tried to suppress.

Returning to his office after parting with Heewan, he finds the board game he once played with Ramwoo, along with a postcard his friend had left behind. Remembering Ramwoo’s words—“I believe in you,” the phrase he had most needed to hear during a time of deep uncertainty—Hongseok regains hope and takes a step forward, leaving a lasting emotional impression on viewers.

Through his complete immersion into Hongseok, a character marked by wide emotional swings, Jung Gunjoo delivered a powerful and resonant performance. In particular, the scenes where Hongseok expresses his sorrow over Ramwoo left a profound impact. Jung Gunjoo’s emotional acting moved viewers to tears, and his heartfelt confession to Heewan felt even more poignant due to its realism and tenderness.

Online communities responded with overwhelming praise, sharing reactions such as: “Hongseok’s unrequited love is heartbreaking,” “I cried along with Hongseok,” “I teared up just from Gunjoo’s gaze,” “Perfect casting,” “Hongseok’s backstory is so tragic,” “Jung Gunjoo’s acting made the character incredibly believable,” “The friendship between Hongseok and Ramwoo made me cry,” and “Jung Gunjoo is truly heart-fluttering.” With his captivating performance and detailed portrayal, Jung Gunjoo has crafted yet another career-defining role, heightening anticipation for his future projects.

Meanwhile, Episode 5 of Way Back Love, starring Jung Gunjoo, will air on Thursday, May 1 at 10:40 p.m. on tvN. The full series is available for streaming on TVING.

[Photo = TVING]