[Interview] Hong Kyung, Actor Leading K-Content 'Generational Shift'

‘Weak Hero’ Transfer Student Beomseok Role Receives Praise for Delicate Acting

Actor Hong Kyung. Photo by Wave

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] It is a 'Weak Hero' that is not weak. The industry welcomes the success of content that has created a sensation without top stars. In fact, this is an attempt made possible by online video services (OTT). New faces and good works created a synergy effect, shining brightly and gaining hot popularity. At the center of this are young actors in their 20s. They are gem-like faces who will lead K-culture in the future. At the center is actor Hong Kyung (26).

Recently, Hong Kyung met with Asia Economy at a cafe in Palpan-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and said, "I hope there will be more stories that understand the hearts of people in their teens and twenties." Regarding the response that the drama led by young actors is fresh, he said, "I hope there will be more content like this." He added, "Speaking as someone in their 20s living in this world, the matters of people in their 20s are best understood by actors in their 20s. Acting is not guaranteed to be good just because one has a lot of experience or has lived a long time," showing confidence.

Released on the 18th, 'Weak Hero' is a strong action growth drama about a weak boy, depicting the process of top 1% model student Yeon Si-eun (played by Park Ji-hoon) standing up against numerous acts of violence together with his first friends Suho (played by Choi Hyun-wook) and Beom-seok. Hong Kyung plays the transfer student Oh Beom-seok, who struggles against violence inside and outside school. He is a boy with a complex inner world, appearing timid but with great emotional changes. It is by no means an easy role. Hong Kyung said, "I was afraid whether I could bear Beom-seok's weight and walk as him," but also said, "I was curious about the role, wanted to do it, and was excited." He added, "I thought about how to fully see what Beom-seok feels. I wanted to sincerely understand him in every scene."

Hong Kyung faithfully portrayed the difficult role expressing complex emotions while supporting Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon) and Suho (Choi Hyun-wook) well. Although the role could have been burdensome and might have gone off track due to the possibility of being disliked, he showed his presence through sincere acting based on delicate character analysis. He said, "I built up points that connect step by step. Rather than seeing it as flipping a coin, I focused on creating links. I thought hard about making Beom-seok convincing and reaching the audience better. I worked closely with director Yoo Soo-min, brainstorming together."

"To Beom-seok, Si-eun and Suho are probably the first true friends he has made. Even if the way of expressing it is clumsy and insufficient, I saw it as pure love. There are many kinds of love in the world, and the love between friends is also tender. It is pure love that shows all one's inner feelings to the friends who appeared for the first time. Therefore, the sense of loss felt must have been great. For Beom-seok, who feels the purest affection and love, it is not a small incident. I thought that in their teens, identity is unclear, emotions are turbulent and vague. Such a boy's appearance is natural and I want to embrace it."

'Weak Hero' still. Photo by Wavve

Born in 1996, Hong Kyung majored in Theater and Film at Hanyang University. He debuted in 2017 with the KBS2 drama 'Queen of Mystery' and showed a strong presence with a striking face in the film 'Innocence' (2020). He has appeared in the Netflix series 'D.P.' and the film 'A Faraway Place,' and is steadily building his filmography with confirmed appearances in 'Concrete Market' and 'The Cursed.' He said, "It is important whether the story fascinates me and whether the role arouses great curiosity. I like grounded stories." Hong Kyung, who loves movies very much, named Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Punch-Drunk Love' (2003) as his life movie. He said, "I like talking about movies, and if it's about my life movie, I can talk all day. I get inspired by watching movies."

'Weak Hero' was invited to the Busan International Film Festival last October and screened in theaters. Hong Kyung said, "It was impossible to attend a film festival with a series rather than a movie before the COVID-19 pandemic, so I am grateful." He added, "The moment when the scenario is written, filmed, edited, and released to the world, and then sharing stories with the audience who watched the movie. I think the movie is completed through acts of solidarity. It was precious to meet the audience through a Q&A session at Busan."

Looking back on 2022, Hong Kyung said, "It was a year filled with 'Weak Hero'." He continued, "I finished filming 'Concrete Market' on December 31 last year and moved into this year, and started talking about the work from January. We began filming from March to April and shot until August, filling the hot summer. In the fall, it was screened at the Busan International Film Festival, and I spent a year for the 8-episode work." He vowed, "Next year, I will humbly pour my whole heart and sincerity into acting."