[Interview] Byeon Yo-han "Expanded from Antagonist to Observer of Yi Sun-sin"

'Hansan: The Emergence of the Dragon' Byun Yo-han
Japanese General Wakizaka Role
Gained Weight up to 90kg
Modeled Appearance after a Tiger
"Surprised and Tense after Seeing the Geobukseon"

Byun Yo-han / Photo by Lotte Entertainment

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Byeon Yo-han (36) recalls the time when he was emerging as a rising star in the independent film scene. His fiery energy and passionate gaze remain vivid. Fourteen years have passed. Having established himself as a leading figure who carries projects with weight, he now presents another remarkable transformation. He has boarded the ship of "Hansan: Rising Dragon," collaborating with director Kim Han-min, who drew a record 17.61 million viewers with "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" (2014). He reveals a powerful presence as he takes on the role of the Japanese general Wakizaka Yasuharu.

On the afternoon of the 26th, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Byeon Yo-han said, "I thought I could learn something with the spirit of a 14-year veteran," adding confidently, "I tried to pour everything I could into it."

Wakizaka is a figure who opposes Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Skilled in both naval and land battles, he possesses boldness, cruelty, and strategy, willing to do anything to win the war. Unshaken in any situation, he thoroughly investigates the weaknesses of the turtle ship and pushes the Joseon army into crisis.

Byeon Yo-han revealed that he lost weight before the first shoot. "At first, I was going in circles," he recalled. "I think I was imagining the typical villain. But the armor became a decisive turning point. The armor, which took two months to receive from overseas, was too big and didn't fit. Approaching it one-dimensionally, I thought it would look flat. I tried to express it three-dimensionally. When I increased my weight to 90kg, my walk and thoughts changed. They gave me a photo of a tiger and asked me to create wrinkles. I referred to the texture and patterns of the beard for the makeup."

He said, "I have a body type that gains weight very easily. I ate a lot of my favorite meat and sweet dark beer. After filming, I kept muttering Japanese lines while staring at the wall and eating," laughing. He added, "I tried to bulk up without limits. While enduring the 25kg armor during filming, whenever I lost some weight, I gained it back. At some point, I was so focused that I forgot I was playing a Japanese soldier."

Ultimately, he wanted to act enjoyably. Byeon Yo-han said, "I studied history by reading Admiral Yi Sun-sin's War Diary. It shows Wakizaka's perspective on Yi Sun-sin, and I thought it would be boring and limiting if I acted so one-dimensionally."

"I centered the character around burning ambition and passion. While comparing him to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, I tried to shift the balance toward Wakizaka. At some point, my body started to fit the armor. My torso thickened, my strength increased, and even my mindset aligned. The Japanese period drama lines fit perfectly, and I smoothly progressed as Wakizaka. I tried not to lose energy."

Byeon Yo-han emphasized that he aimed to play the antagonist and an observer of Admiral Yi Sun-sin. "Although it sounds like telling the story from Wakizaka's perspective, I acted with the determination to reflect the era and environment of the time. I had to look at Yi Sun-sin accurately. I had no difficulties working with senior actor Park Hae-il. I just thought I needed to observe well and move accordingly."

He said he will never forget the first time he saw the turtle ship model on set. Byeon Yo-han recalled, "When I first stood in front of the turtle ship, I became solemn and my chest swelled with grandeur, but I was also excited like a child." He added, "In a way, isn't the turtle ship the protagonist of the film? It feels like it symbolizes the meaning of the work. At the same time, I thought, 'This is serious. I need to prepare.'"

Throughout the interview, Byeon Yo-han repeatedly added the phrase, "I don't know how long I'll keep acting." When asked about its meaning, he laughed and said, "It seems like a habit."

"I've been saying this since I first started independent films. I immediately realized that acting is not an easy task. It's something I love, but I wonder if my capacity is truly big enough. After each project, I always feel lacking. I want to expand my capacity to enjoy acting more. Soon, I'll be in my 40s, and it feels like a time when I discard what I should and the things I love become clearer in life. I have gained know-how and am learning more. I'm also gradually discovering clearer ways to make myself happy."