Actor Lee Gyu-hyung "Feeling restless about melodrama acting, wants to date like friends"

Musical 'Crash Landing on You' Lee Kyu-hyung Interview
Playing Ri Jeong-hyeok, portrayed by Hyun Bin in the drama... His revealed ideal type, Jo Seung-woo, and pho meeting

Actor Lee Kyu-hyung, who played the role of Ri Jeong-hyeok in the musical 'Crash Landing on You.' Photo by Ace Factory

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] He is truly a 'workhorse.' Actor Lee Kyu-hyung (39), who has been continuously active in movies, dramas, and performances like a bull, returns as a North Korean officer. He ignited his passion by learning dialect and action scenes. He chose the musical Crash Landing on You because he wanted to do a melodrama after a long time. Currently without a girlfriend, he said, "Acting out love makes me restless," and added, "I want to date again."

On the afternoon of the 14th, Lee Kyu-hyung, whom we met in the waiting room of Shinhan Card Artium at COEX, Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, said, "I am creating a three-dimensional character of the serious yet quirky Ri Jeong-hyeok."

The drama Crash Landing on You, starring Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin, which aired in 2019 and gained popularity, has been adapted into an original musical on stage. The musical, depicting the special love story between the chaebol heiress Yoon Se-ri, who crash-lands in North Korea due to a paragliding accident, and the North Korean officer Ri Jeong-hyeok who hides and protects her, is being performed at Shinhan Card Artium, COEX, Seoul, until the 13th of next month.

For Lee Kyu-hyung, Crash Landing on You is a challenge. He said, "I like to try new works," and "I take on various challenges enough to enjoy multiple hobbies." He laughed and added, "So far, I have mostly played roles involving death and killing. I've been to prison many times." He explained his reason for appearing, saying, "That's why I was drawn to the melodrama genre, and I liked it more because it’s a romantic comedy." He continued, "The two main actors in the drama (Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin) actually got married, didn't they? Not that I’m saying the same, but acting is that fun."

Perhaps because he feels and expresses love on stage, Lee Kyu-hyung, who recently has been wanting to date, sighed that it is not easy. He said, "I have a busy schedule, so I don’t have time to date, but a romantic relationship requires responsibility and being there for each other," and added, "Since it’s a relationship where you build bonds and rely on each other, maintaining it requires physical time, but right now I’m focused on work, so I can’t do that." When asked what kind of style he is attracted to, he answered, "I like someone who is like a friend with whom I can do things together," and "I like a relationship where we rely on each other and continue together."

Lee Kyu-hyung plays the North Korean officer Ri Jeong-hyeok. He emphasized, "I wanted to make him a three-dimensional character," and said, "I thought the serious but quirky charm would add vitality to the character." Since original musicals are always premieres, there must be pressure. "It’s stressful, but the sense of accomplishment is great when it goes well," he said. He added, "Original plays are created through the actors and production team working closely together. We exchange various ideas and complete it together." "The drama original aired 16 episodes, each about 90 minutes. The musical tells the story in 2 hours and 50 minutes including intermission, so the emotional line and flow inevitably differ. Even audiences who have seen the drama will find a fresh enjoyment."

Actor Lee Kyu-hyung, who played the role of Ri Jeong-hyeok in the musical 'Crash Landing on You.' Photo by A2G Entertainment Co., Ltd. and T2N Media Co., Ltd.

Actor Lee Kyu-hyung, who played the role of Ri Jeong-hyeok in the musical 'Crash Landing on You.' Photo by A2G Entertainment Co., Ltd. and T2N Media Co., Ltd.

Crash Landing on You gained near-feverish popularity in Japan. Now, they plan to continue that enthusiasm with the musical. Production companies A2G Entertainment and T2N Media signed a collaboration contract last month with Japan’s Fuji TV, enabling broadcast of the performance on Japanese channels. Additionally, Korean-language performances and replica (works reproducing the original) performances by Japanese actors are being planned in Japan. Lee Kyu-hyung also expressed his anticipation.

"I hope the domestic performance market becomes like Broadway. Most Broadway audiences are tourists. Recently, K-content has been loved worldwide, and I hope that interest leads to original musicals. There aren’t many countries where so many original plays are produced. When the COVID-19 situation improves, more tourists will come to Seoul. Many people say they want to visit Korea after watching online video streaming (OTT) content. Just like when you go to New York and say, ‘I must see a show,’ I hope people feel the same when they come to Seoul."

As a cultural and arts industry worker, Lee Kyu-hyung senses market changes and shows optimism. "Before, people used to say ‘overseas expansion,’ but now no one says that. I felt the changed atmosphere when I went to the Busan International Film Festival this year," he began. He said, "This year, many representatives from major overseas agencies visited Busan to promote Korean works and cast actors. Facing the changes of the times was deeply moving," and nodded, saying, "I just worked hard, and this kind of world has come." He added, "Korea is dominating not only Asia but also the Middle East, South America, and now the North American market. There has always been excellent content, but after the pandemic, it has spread worldwide."

Lee Kyu-hyung occasionally calls Jo Seung-woo to discuss various concerns. He said, "I gained recognition through the drama Stranger, and continued performing afterward. Jo Seung-woo encouraged me, saying that if well-known actors keep performing, various audiences will come." Whenever he has unresolved worries, he calls without fail. "When I confided in him, he gave simple and clear answers. Recently, I told him I’m going to do the musical Sweeney Todd and might visit his house, and he said, ‘Why? You’ll do well on your own. Just do it.’ He’s caring but has a tsundere-like personality," he laughed. He added, "When I was considering appearing in Crash Landing on You, he encouraged me, saying it’s good content and fits well with original plays."

He also revealed the truth about the male actors’ pho noodle gathering. Lee Kyu-hyung said, "Jo Seung-woo, Tae In-ho, Jung Moon-sung, and I form a pho noodle actor group," and added, "We eat pho together, go to an ice cream shop to have almond bonbons, chat for 5 to 6 hours, and then part ways. Sometimes we drink coffee brewed by Tae In-ho. We support each other and give each other strength."