[Interview] Bae Jeong-nam: "Severe Poverty Is the Driving Force Behind My Delicate Acting"

Director Yoon Je-kyun's film 'Hero'
Portraying Independence Army Sharpshooter Jo Doseon
Learning Correct Historical Awareness
Life Changed by Companion Dog Bell

On October 26, 1909, at Harbin Station, a thirty-year-old young man named Ahn Jung-geun shot It? Hirobumi, the Resident-General of Korea, as he was getting off the train. Ahn Jung-geun, along with Jo Do-seon, Woo Deok-soon, Yoo Dong-ha, Yoo Seung-ryeol, Kim Seong-hwa, and Tak Gong-gyu, formed a seven-person alliance to punish imperialism. The sharpshooter Jo Do-seon, along with Woo Deok-soon and Yoo Dong-ha, was waiting at Chaegagu Station, but since the train passed Chaegagu Station and stopped at Harbin Station, their plan succeeded in Ahn Jung-geun's hands. After loudly shouting "Korea Ura" (Long live Korean independence) three times, Ahn Jung-geun was peacefully arrested and imprisoned in Lushun Prison along with Jo Do-seon, Woo Deok-soon, Yoo Dong-ha, and others.

Actor Bae Jung-nam (40) played the role of the top sharpshooter Jo Do-seon in the movie Hero (director Yoon Je-kyun), which deals with Ahn Jung-geun's assassination and martyrdom. Meeting Bae Jung-nam on the afternoon of the 18th at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, he said, "Jo Do-seon is a name we must definitely remember," and added, "I'm ashamed that I only learned about him now." He continued, "I studied a lot while preparing for the movie. I'm grateful to have learned about him even now."

Actor Bae Jung-nam [Photo by CJ ENM]

Jo Do-seon was born in 1879 in Gyeongposa, Hongwon-hyeon, Hamgyeong-do (present-day Hongwon-gun, Hamgyeongnam-do). He moved to Russia, working in laundry and as a Russian interpreter, before heading to Harbin in 1909. After Ahn Jung-geun's assassination, he was sentenced to one and a half years in Lushun Prison, and his whereabouts after release remain unknown. Bae Jung-nam said, "He is recorded in history as an excellent sharpshooter and interpreter. He helped interpret after being introduced to Ahn Jung-geun, but there are no records of where or how he ended his life. It was heartbreaking. Studying history, I learned a lot about the independence movement at that time."

"I remember filming the scene where Ahn Jung-geun was sentenced to death in court. I thought, 'If Jo Do-seon had killed It? Hirobumi, I would be the one sentenced to death,' and tears came to my eyes. The script said 'silently sheds tears,' but I couldn't just cry quietly when a comrade was dying. I told the director I might sob, and he said let's try it. I sang while holding back sorrowful and pent-up tears, and it was approved in one take. Having many life experiences made it easier to bring out those sorrowful emotions."

Meeting Director Yoon Je-kyun, 'A Benefactor in Life'

'Hero' still image [Photo by CJ ENM]

For Bae Jung-nam, Hero holds a special meaning that marks his acting filmography. He said, "I couldn't proudly say I was an actor anywhere before, but now I can say it with confidence," and added, "I feel like a real actor now." Bae Jung-nam and director Yoon Je-kyun first connected through Lee Han-seung, CEO of Liyang Film, the production company of the movie Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP (2020).

"CEO Lee introduced Director Yoon, saying they would get along well since they are both from Busan. At that time, I didn't know he was preparing Hero, but since I respect the director so much, I was happy. Soon after, the director said he would give me the script, and I said, 'I'm nearby now, so I'll come right away, thank you!' and rushed over. I agreed to do it on the spot without even reading the script, just after hearing the character explanation. I said I would work hard and left."

Recalling that time, Bae Jung-nam laughed, saying, "It felt like standing on the runway of a teacher I admired." About working with Director Yoon, he said, "The more I see him, the more charming he is." He added, "He is warm-hearted and approachable, and the more you get to know him, the more grateful and cool he seems. I met a good older brother and a benefactor in life."

Director Yoon Je-kyun is famous for casting based on an actor's personality. When asked what he saw in Bae Jung-nam, he answered immediately, "An honest person." "He hates causing trouble for others the most. He treats people sincerely without pretense. Because of his strong Busan dialect, many misunderstand him as rude. I like people, and once I get to know someone, I keep seeing them for a long time. I've never cut ties with anyone. He treats everyone honestly regardless of position or age, so he has many good people around him."

My Difficult Childhood Was My Driving Force

The tough entertainment industry life and betrayals became nourishment for Bae Jung-nam, who spoke calmly. "I was scammed a lot when I was young, and I gave everything away even if someone treated me a little well. After being betrayed and hitting rock bottom, I became who I am now. Now I know how to firmly refuse unreasonable requests. When I help someone, I don't expect anything in return."

Bae Jung-nam was born in Dongnae-gu, Busan (now Geumjeong-gu) and was raised by his maternal grandmother and relatives. From elementary school, he made a living delivering newspapers, and even during middle and high school, he did everything he could to survive. His childhood was filled with endless darkness, but those hardships became the driving force for becoming an actor. He said, "We lived in a house without a bathroom, and in elementary school, I was too scared to go to the bathroom at night. I started delivering newspapers at 13 and went to work during high school. Thanks to that, I became independent and grew into someone who can do anything to survive."

Debuting as a model in 2002, Bae Jung-nam has been actively working across movies, dramas, and variety shows. Last October, he left a strong impression as a model on the runway at the Song Ji-oh opening show of Seoul Fashion Week. Bae Jung-nam said, "The reason I keep walking the runway is because it's fun." "Is there anyone like me who acts as an actor, works as a model, and also does variety shows? There should be someone like me. I'm more distinctive than actors with similar styles. How happy is that?"

My Beloved Family, My Everything 'Bell'

Bae Jung-nam's greatest treasure is his dog Bell. Ten years ago, he went to see a Doberman puppy born to an acquaintance. The two-month-old puppies ran up to him, biting his shoes in greeting. He liked that sight and watched for a while, but in the corner, there was a puppy sitting alone, curled up. That lonely puppy, who looked just like him, was Bell, Bae Jung-nam recalled.

[Photo by Bae Jeong-nam]

Last August, Bell suffered acute disc disease and became paralyzed, currently living at a pet care center in Yongin. Bae Jung-nam said Bell is more than family to him. Traveling between Seoul and Yongin to care for Bell, he said, "Bell, who is 10 years old, is like a person in their 70s. I'm doing my best for Bell. It's a miracle that he has endured this long. Meeting Bell changed my life. I can't imagine my life without Bell."

For Bae Jung-nam, Bell is the top priority. His last romantic relationship was a year ago, and his dating instincts have long disappeared, but it doesn't matter. "I have no thoughts about dating because I'm taking care of Bell. My baby is sick now, and every day is a golden time. What I have to do now is Bell's rehabilitation and studying movies. If I ever meet someone I love, I hope they like dogs and are mentally healthy and mature."