[NEWS] Jung Gunjoo Shares Final Thoughts on 'Way Back Love': “I Hope This Drama Offers Comfort to Viewers”

Actor Jung Gunjoo Shares His Reflections on the Conclusion of Way Back Love

Jung Gunjoo played the role of Lee Hongseok—Ramwoo’s (played by Gong Myoung) best friend and one-and-only board game partner—in the TVING original series Way Back Love (produced by CJ ENM and Studio MONDO, distributed by TVING), which recently released its final episode.

After the death of his friend Ramwoo, Jung Gunjoo flawlessly portrayed Hongseok, whose once bright and cheerful demeanor had changed completely. His delicate emotional performance received high praise, as he moved viewers to tears with a gaze and tone of voice filled with the weight of past wounds. Through Way Back Love, Jung Gunjoo once again showcased a powerful transformation in acting, adding a new defining role to his career.

Reflecting on the project, he shared, “After wrapping up filming last year and seeing the drama finally released this year, all the memories came rushing back. The weather was so beautiful during the shoot—maybe that’s why thinking about that time feels like reminiscing about my school days.”

The character Hongseok, played by Jung Gunjoo, is someone who, despite his cheerful exterior, carries the trauma of a false start and the sorrow of losing a close friend—all of which he keeps buried inside. When asked if it wasn't difficult to portray such a complex character, Jung Gunjoo replied, “I constantly thought about how Hongseok must have felt after losing a friend. So, I tried to portray a much brighter version of Hongseok during his school years, and make his friendship with Ramwoo feel even closer.”

When asked how much he resembled Hongseok, Jung answered, “I’d say we’re about 50% alike. I think our optimistic and easygoing personalities are pretty similar.” As for the most memorable scene, he shared, “The emotional scene in Episode 4 where Hongseok opens up to Heewan (played by Kim Minha) about his past really stayed with me.” Lastly, he expressed his gratitude to the viewers of Way Back Love, saying, “To me, Way Back Love remains a beautiful memory. I hope it was a comforting experience for the viewers as well. Thank you so much for watching and supporting the series.”

[Full Q&A Interview with Actor Jung Gunjoo]

Q. How do you feel now that Way Back Love has come to an end?
After wrapping up filming last year and seeing the drama finally released this year, all the memories came rushing back. The weather was so beautiful during the shoot—maybe that’s why thinking about that time feels like reminiscing about my school days.

Q. Were there any challenges in portraying the character ‘Lee Hongseok’?
I constantly thought about how Hongseok must have felt after losing a friend. So, I tried to portray a much brighter version of Hongseok during his school years, and make his friendship with Ramwoo feel even closer.

Q. How similar are ‘Jung Gunjoo’ and 'Lee Hongseok’?
I’d say we’re about 50% alike. I think our optimistic and easygoing personalities are pretty similar.

Q. How was the chemistry with your fellow cast members?
I’ve known Gong Myoung for a while, so I wasn’t worried at all about our chemistry. With Kim Minha, since we’re the same age, we had this unspoken understanding even without saying much. And Oh Woori was so bright and cheerful that we quickly became close.

Q. Is there a particular scene that stands out in your memory?
The emotional scene in Episode 4 where Hongseok opens up about his past really stayed with me.

Q. What kind of drama do you hope Way Back Love will be remembered as by viewers?
I hope it becomes a healing drama that brings comfort to anyone who watches it.

Q. Any words for the viewers who loved Way Back Love?
To me, Way Back Love remains a beautiful memory. I hope it was a comforting experience for the viewers as well. Thank you so much for watching and supporting the series.

[Photo = Saram Entertainment, TVING]