Fans of director Yang Woo-seok’s “Steel Rain” universe might have been surprised to hear that actor Jung Woo-sung, who portrayed a wary elite North Korean soldier in the first installment of the series, “Steel Rain” (2017), will this time be swapping roles with actor Kwak Do-won to portray Han Kyung-jae, a composed South Korean president in “Steel Rain 2: Summit.”

While this may not seem like much of a challenge for an actor who's used to changing colors like a chameleon, what made Jung take pause was the potential political controversy the film could stir, especially when he was already branded as a celebrity who openly speaks his mind about sensitive social issues, such as his support for the Yemeni refugees coming to Jeju Island.

“Steel Rain” (2017) was more or less focused on the two Koreans, while in “Steel Rain 2” a third player is added — the United States. The leaders of the three countries are kidnapped in a nuclear submarine that has the potential of starting another World War.

“Although the story itself is fiction and the film genre is very original, the basis on which the film lies is derived from real global politics,” Jung said in a press interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul on Monday. “Even the first installment had that [tone], and with this film having more possibility to fuel politically conflicting debates, I did ask what intention [director Yang had] in casting me for this role.

“But I think director Yang liked my [facial] expressions,” the actor continued. “In the silence that the president has to keep [in order to be the mediator between the U.S. and the North], [the audience] can glimpse into his feelings through his expressions."

The following are edited excerpts of the interview.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]