"Acting is a profession that studies people, sincerity is the most important"

Interview with actor Seo Hyun-cheol of the play 'Sanai Watanabe'
First Daehangno stage in over 2 years since 'Geunaldul'
"The most important thing for an actor is sincerity over technical acting skills"

Interview_Actor Seo Hyun-cheol./Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] “Although acting is fake, sincerity is the most important quality for an actor presenting it to the audience.”

Actor Seo Hyuncheol, returning to the Daehangno stage after about two years with the play Sanai Watanabe, emphasizes that despite the nature of external drama, the most important thing for an actor is sincerity rather than technical acting skills.

The character Watanabe, whom he plays, is a second-generation Korean resident in Japan and a Yakuza who invites Korean film director Manchun to Japan to produce a movie about his life story. The original title by director Jang Hangjun was Sanai Watanabe Completely Ppijida, hinting at a character with a twist of charm. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 4th, he said, “I didn’t see the original production, but rather than being constrained, it was good when approaching the role,” and introduced the play as “depicting the painful life of Korean residents in Japan, but not just a sad story; it is a human comedy that brings laughter to the audience through theatrical form. The content is cinematic, but the expression is uniquely theatrical.”

Actor Seo Hyun-cheol, who played the self-made Zainichi Korean Yakuza role in the play 'Sanai Watanabe.' Photo by Insight Entertainment

The play unfolds like a film, portraying the turbulent narrative of a modern historical figure who, with a manly spirit, Watanabe clashes with Manchun, who directs lyrical works, over film production. Through their back-and-forth, the tragic story related to his father and his rise to the top of the Yakuza world after enduring many hardships is revealed. He said, “Besides Watanabe and Manchun, two actors playing Masao and Hideo, Watanabe’s loyal subordinates, perform multiple roles like multitasking actors. At first, the audience laughed just watching the multitasking actors, but by the latter half, they were surprised to follow the flow of the play,” adding, “Amid such tension, I am trying to convey Watanabe’s anguish seriously yet without losing wit.”

When asked about the ironic situation of Watanabe, who became a Yakuza after witnessing his father, who was conscripted by the Japanese army and lost an arm in World War II, being persecuted just for being a Korean resident in Japan, he described it as “a rabbit who was scared of the tiger but wanted to become a tiger.” He explained, “At that time, Koreans living in Japan had to choose to become Japanese, go north, or live as Koreans remaining in Japan. I think Watanabe was a weak person who chose to become a Yakuza to become stronger in such circumstances.”

When asked if he looks like a Yakuza, Seo Hyuncheol laughed and said, “Actors Son Jonghak and Yoo Byunghoon, who were cast together this time, look much closer to Yakuza in appearance,” adding, “I hope the audience sees it as an unexpectedness we encounter in daily life.” He picked the line “I don’t want to be ashamed, at least in the movie” as the most memorable quote from the play, explaining, “In the play, Watanabe receives a letter from a child saying, ‘Don’t disgrace our compatriots’ faces,’ which makes him regret becoming a Yakuza for the first time. This line reflects everyone’s desire not to be ashamed in their actions, life, and work. It is the only line that seriously reveals Watanabe’s true feelings and encapsulates the trajectory of his life.”

Interview_Actor Seo Hyun-cheol./Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

His witty talk, which has been a hot topic in various talk shows and entertainment programs, remained the same in the interview. Although he introduced himself as “a calm person,” he said, “Looking back, nearly 90% of the plays I have performed on stage were comedies,” and added, “Comedy and serious drama differ situationally, but their essence is the same.” He continued, “Once, I saw an elderly man at a subway station trying to eat a persimmon with a cracked skin. When the juice dripped, he went to the trash can to eat it, but the flesh all fell off, leaving only the skin in his hand. Seeing him lick only the skin made me laugh a lot at that moment, but when I turned around, I was crying. The situation was funny, but the sadness behind it might be the essence of comedy. Ultimately, the difference between serious drama and comedy is timing and rhythm.”

Now in his 26th year since debut, he majored in Korean literature at university and worked as an employee at Geumgang Shoes. Repeating a daily routine of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., he pondered, “This is not the life I wanted; there must be something I want to do,” until he happened to see an advertisement for the National Theater’s cultural school. He immediately resigned and challenged acting. He confessed, “Maybe because I chose this path, I promised myself never to regret it, and I am still happily acting without regrets. I am a happy person.” Preferring to be a good actor rather than a skilled one, he still believes that acting is “a profession of studying people.” He strives to appear in one or two plays a year and said, “Because I am not good enough yet, I want to continue advancing with the desire to always do well and work as a good actor.”