[Interview] Seohyunwoo of 'Nam-san-ui Bujangdeul' as Jeon Duhyuk

[Lee Isul, Entertainment Reporter]

Seohyunwoo is like a blank canvas. Whatever color is embroidered on his face shines with an indefinable hue. Early on, Chungmuro directors took notice of him. He began acting at the Korea National University of Arts' Acting Department and made his presence known in the industry with solid acting skills and smart character analysis. Watching his peers and seniors who became stars before him, he clenched his fists in frustration. But he did not rush. While fighting an unseen other self, he continued walking the single path of acting.

Some say that one way to succeed as an actor is to endure. In this way, Seohyunwoo has walked his path flexibly without being swayed by the wind. Having appeared in numerous independent films and even being called the Song Kang-ho of the indie film scene, Seohyunwoo finally docked at the harbor called Woo Min-ho after a long voyage.

'The Man Standing Next' attracted many actors' interest from the planning stage. The cinematic appeal of a true story combined with the merit of being directed by Woo Min-ho was enough to draw attention. Many actors flocked to auditions, and Director Woo chose Seohyunwoo for the role of Security Commander Jeon Doo-hyuk. Thus, he became Jeon Doo-hyuk.

Seohyunwoo recently shared various stories about the film 'The Man Standing Next' (directed by Woo Min-ho) in an interview held at the newspaper's headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul.

'The Man Standing Next' covers the 113 minutes from 40 days before the assassination of the president on October 26, 1979, to December 12, 1979. The main characters meet their end around October 26, but Security Commander Jeon Doo-hyuk takes on the second act of history.

In the film, Seohyunwoo portrays Jeon Doo-hyuk, a figure who opens the dark history of democracy in 1980s South Korea, leading the audience's gaze with a steadfast presence throughout the 113 minutes.

Jeon Doo-hyuk appears on screen exactly as we commonly know him visually, leaving a strong impression. To embody Jeon Doo-hyuk's appearance, Seohyunwoo showed a fighting spirit by gaining weight and even shaving his head. It was the result of throwing his whole body into the role.

"I stretched my weight like a rubber band. To create a visually distinct character, I increased my size and gained weight. The character I met in that process was Jeon Doo-hyuk. So I didn't think about losing weight separately. I imagined the character's hearty and robust feeling and didn't want to portray him as a skinny type."

Actors often say cutting hair is the biggest burden, but Seohyunwoo shaved his head to bring out the role's details. Was it not a burden?

"It could have been solved with special makeup, but I thought realism was necessary. Acting the character required trust, and I wanted to experience it genuinely, not with something fake. I shaved the entire top of my head. During filming, I would shave cleanly with a razor and then attach a special wig for makeup. The staff worked hard; I just made the decision. The makeup also provided instrumental help for the acting."

Seohyunwoo had to live with a cleanly shaved top of his head for the past year. He also shared an episode about wearing a hat.

"I like saunas, but since my head was shaved, I refrained from visiting. Then I went to a less crowded sauna. It was a place with many elderly people, and I felt they were uncomfortable seeing me. When I entered the bath, they would leave. Also, I once took off my hat while climbing a mountain. It felt good."

Earlier, Director Woo Min-ho described Seohyunwoo as a "smart actor" in an interview with reporters. How did Seohyunwoo view Jeon Doo-hyuk? He said, "I thought he would have a hearty and disciplined soldier's demeanor, and I didn't want to portray him as a light character."

He continued, "I thought he needed to have enough weight to influence Kim Gyu-pyeong (played by Lee Byung-hun). As a threatening figure, he had to play the role of competing for the second-in-command position through a power struggle."

'The Man Standing Next' is based on a nonfiction investigative report completed by a journalist who covered the actual incident. Seohyunwoo referred to the novel while preparing for the role. He said, "Being born in 1983, I don't have many memories, so I referred to YouTube and other sources. I read the novel to understand the background. Rather than trying to imitate, I referred to the texture, emotions, atmosphere, and energy of that era."

Jeon Doo-hyuk is a character inspired by the modern historical figure Jeon Du-hwan. How did Seohyunwoo approach this? He gave a somewhat lengthy answer.

"I didn't want to portray him like a doppelganger. Rather than 'how much does he resemble?' I focused on the psychology and emotions of the characters facing the situation. I think the charm lies in the appropriate imagination added. Leaving aside factual accuracy, I thought audiences could empathize with the common human emotions, sentiments, and intensity. In a competitive society where opportunity and consideration coexist, people can understand the emotions of human figures. So, while preparing for the role, I studied the attitudes the character takes in universal situations."

The process of Seohyunwoo becoming Jeon Doo-hyuk was a continuous cycle of breaking, merging, breaking again, and becoming one. He completed the role by tracing tens of thousands of agonies and emotions.

"I thought the actor didn't need to present Jeon Doo-hyuk's personality. Not many people would know the person who inspired the character, and rather than deciding and throwing something out, I thought silently holding the position would allow the audience to empathize and interpret. I avoided one-dimensional emotional expressions and rather tried to hold it down firmly."

Jeon Doo-hyuk plays a role that checks Kim Gyu-pyeong, played by Lee Byung-hun, with a distinct presence. Kim Gyu-pyeong watches Jeon Doo-hyuk with a sensitive gaze and feels uncomfortable like a thorn stuck in his fingernail. Therefore, Jeon Doo-hyuk's role is very important. Seohyunwoo cleverly delved into this.

"I want to say I studied good acting with a shaved head. Just witnessing senior Lee Byung-hun's acting up close was a great study. There were moments my heart raced. Also, I learned a lot watching senior Lee Sung-min build gestures and walking by characterizing the role, and I got a lot of help watching hyung Lee Hee-joon gain weight and perform energetic acting."

Seohyunwoo says he is having the happiest time since his debut. Although he had to wait for choices after auditions, now many scripts are coming in. Many film industry people have asked the reporter about Seohyunwoo after 'The Man Standing Next.'

Seohyunwoo said, "Scripts are gradually being sent to me. I am repeatedly contemplating how to perform responsibly with a good image. There is also an advantage to auditioning. Since I can show the necessary parts, I keep the possibilities open."

Finally, Seohyunwoo made a special resolution for starting 2020. He said, "I try not to be too serious. Rather, I don't want to keep playing serious and heavy roles. Acting started because it was fun and enjoyable. I want to find ways to enjoy it. Jeon Doo-hyuk was like that too. I want to meet roles and works I can enjoy acting in. Also, I want to try works with a cheerful tone. I plan to broaden my acting spectrum in various ways."

Photo = Poongkyung Entertainment