[Interview] Marie Claire November 2019 Issue

Today was the press conference of 'Extraordinary You' and the first episode will air soon. What character are you playing?
I play the role of 'Baek Kyung'. He is the toughest character in the drama and he isn't good with expressing himself. But with his tough character, he has a painful and sad past. He is tough on the outside but soft on the inside, I always thought it's the hardest type of character to express. You know, his actions look strong but his eyes are shaking, those type of details. I still lack a lot but I worked hard to find ways to express Baek Kyung. A child with a lot of pain and had a hard time growing up. I want to show this side.

The drama is set inside inside a manhwa. It's an unrealistic setting.
Rather than trying to understand the unrealistic setting, I believed and acted as a real person. Baek Kyung is a character in the manhwa 'Secret', In that world, he says what the writer makes him say and in reality, he says what he wants to say. There are words that he doesn't want to say but still do, so there should be a clear separation between them. Director Kim Sang Hyub is very distinct with the story and believes in us on set. Since <Extraordinary You> is set in high school, there are a lot of actors. There aren't a lot of projects that has actors with similar ages and careers, that's how much the passion and energy of actors are different (from other projects).

You started with Marco in 'Memories of the Alhambra' then 'Search WWW' then 'Battles of Jangsari' and now 'Extraordinary You', you have appeared in 4 projects in just one year. Among them 'Search WWW' was the one who got a lot of attention, so it must be a meaningful project to you.
Ji Hwan's character is really close to me. He is not a strong character but not weak either, he is a mixed character who lives diligently. I think I will remember 'Search WWW' as a flower-like project. A flower that helped me bloom beautifully and I hope it doesn't fade.

Have you thought that the flower may fall down?
I said its like a flower because I don't know when it will fade. (laugh) Lately, I feel like im in full bloom. I always try to have fun and think positively while working. I've been working hard all year long, but I still have enough strength, the passion of my seniors and fellow actors that I met on set, makes me even more excited. But sometimes, I'm afraid that the flower that bloomed right now will only be temporary.

Compared to 'Puppy Seol' in 'Search WWW', your appearance as Marco in your debut drama 'Memories of the Alhambra' was extremely different
The director wanted a wild character. I thought what are the chances to meet this type of colorful character for a debut project. Apart from the NPC, he is an international student, has a tangled hair, wears makeup and uses drugs. It was fun dressing up like him. I also had to push half of my eyebrows back which it was fascinating. That's why I was more at ease when I shaved my hair for 'Battle of Jangsari'. (laugh)

Do you still remember the first filming of <Memories of the Alhambra>? 
The first filming was in Spain. I went to Spain without even a manger, Directer Ahn Gil Ho told me to sleep whenever I can because the shooting can stay till late. So I really fell asleep on the street. (Laugh) I didn't know many people around me and since I spent most of the time alone, I would take a look and walk around the filming set, when I hear 'Okay, Cut', I would just sit. But I felt like 'Is it okay for me to look at the filming set like this?' thats how I drifted away and stayed alone. Everything was strange, interesting and mysterious.

After awhile, the excitement from the set will get dull? Is there something you wish it never changes?
I want to be close with all the actors. When I played Marco, I didn't know a lot of people, so whether it was from the staff or actors, each word was memorable and they made me feel like I belong. I want to get along with everyone and maintain a strong bond even after we finish filming. Also that strong bond is what gives me the energy to work.

What's the most comforting words you heard back then? 
Director Ahn Gil Ho told me: "Keep following your heart. You're doing well"

You majored in acting in college. What are the biggest challenges after you decided to major in acting and making your debut?
There wasn't any challenges. Nowadays, I usually sleep two or three hours a day because of drama shootings but even when I'm so tired, I always have fun when I go to the filming set. Of course, there are times where I worry. When that happens, I ask the director or seniors for advice. As a result, I think I passed all the difficult moments. I don't remember the hard times because of that.

Your filmography is increasing quickly. What do you do when you have free time?
I always loved watching movies alone. After watching a movie, I feel like something different entered my life. It also inspires my acting. I recently watched <Wanted> again and even when I watched for the second time It was amazing. I was surprised to see the actors' natural acting with the 'curve the bullet' CG scene. I also want to try intense action like that. I like to scribble too. I didn't study when I was in school, but I loved scribbling. (laugh) I still like writing with a pen, so I always write my lines to memorize them.

Like memorizing textbooks?
It's a little different from that. It's kind of like a mind map. For example, I write down questions such as, Baek Kyung character's first impression, personality, circumstance and his lines. And then I answer them by myself. As It goes, It feels that I'm getting far from Baek Kyung's first impression. Compared to the first episode, You can feel Baek Kyung has changed a lot. This is how I try to analyze my characters to understand them but I don't know if it shows in my acting.

Since when did you start the habit of writing about your characters?
Since I was in Theater. In plays, you have to say your lines for two hours. I wanted to be responsible for the two hours of the audience who visited the venue. To do that, the only think I can do was to do the lines perfectly. Many directors, choose someone who can act with no mistake for the whole 2 hours. And that's how I wanted to memorize it more perfectly. I didn't just read and say the lines, I thought about it multiple times and wrote it down. So when I compared to the first time I took it out of the script, It's more perfect.

Today is your first photoshoot and interview. How will you remember this year in which many things happened for the first time?
I have worked hard. It was blood-boiling youth. I'm working hard right now so I can be able to say that later when I look back at my filmography. (laugh).

Source: Marie Claire.
Translated by Lee Jae Wook Fans | leejaewookfans.blogspot.com
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