[On the Record] Oh Jung-se "Small Hands Together Change the World"

Actor Oh Jung-se Interview

SBS Drama 'The Cursed' Folklorist Role
Second Meeting with Writer Kim Eun-hee
"Wishing Today to Love Myself More"

Actor Oh Jung-se (46) has an energy that makes people feel good just by hearing his name. He made a strong impression as a ruthless reporter in the film Unfair Trade (2010), and three years later, he landed a leading role. His portrayal of top star Seung-jae, who walked naked through the streets in Man's Manual (2013), left a vivid mark on the public. His desperate acting in a film ahead of its time is still remembered as a work that shaped who he is today. His cheerful yet fierce performance as Chang-sik, Ted Chang, in the 10-million viewer film Extreme Job (2019), sharing scenes with Shin Ha-kyun, is also unforgettable.

Oh Jung-se [Photo by Prain TPC]

Oh Jung-se recently played Yeom Hae-sang, a folklore professor, in the SBS drama Awaken, which just ended. When we met at a location in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Oh said, "If it weren't for Seung-jae in Man's Manual, Yeom Hae-sang in Awaken wouldn't exist either."

He recalled, "When I took on the role of Seung-jae, the lead in a commercial film 10 years ago, there were many question marks about me. I had been playing supporting roles, so it was not an easy role. I felt a great sense of responsibility and burden." He added, "Through Seung-jae, I gained the courage to take on challenges, and thanks to that, I was able to take on the role of Hae-sang today."

Oh Jung-se said he never forgets his gratitude toward director Lee Won-seok, who cast him as Seung-jae. He made a special appearance in the director's new film Killing Romance, released last April, lending his support. His passionate acting in the jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) scene enriched the film. Oh called the director "a gift in my life." He showed his unique loyalty, saying, "Whether good or bad, even if the results are disappointing or the pace is slow, I am filled with the desire to work together."

His serious expressions in KBS2's When the Camellia Blooms (2019), SBS's Stove League (2020), and TV Chosun's drama Uncle (2021) were also powerful. His humanistic face disarms the audience and viewers, drawing them deeply into the story. In this way, Oh Jung-se has become a trusted actor.

"Some works are fun, some I want to play with acting, and sometimes I choose based on trust in the production team. Each work has different energy, and Hae-sang is a role I grew with. Through Awaken, I also grew together."

Oh Jung-se [Photo by Prain TPC]

It was his second collaboration with writer Kim Eun-hee after Jirisan (2021), with Awaken. Playing Hae-sang, a folklore professor, was not an easy role. Oh Jung-se said, "He could be a lonely, old-fashioned person trapped in his own world. It might be overwhelming in everyday life, but in Kim Eun-hee's world, I believed his charm would clearly emerge in the latter part."

He said, "Hae-sang is someone who saves others. His footsteps felt meaningful. I liked his human emotions, so I tried even harder."

Oh Jung-se revealed that he worked hard to make Hae-sang a three-dimensional character. "Sometimes dramas can feel suffocating. I wanted to blend in comedic and cheerful aspects. The writer also requested my specialty, so I wanted to depict cheerfulness within Hae-sang's personality. However, since it could become a flaw, I told them I would change it if it became risky. After seeing the final cut, I was satisfied that it blended well."

Although Awaken was terrifying, the thing that scared him on set was not the evil spirits. Oh Jung-se said with a laugh, "Bugs were scarier than evil spirits or the cold."

He confessed, "Whenever we lifted the floor, cockroaches appeared. Even during forest scenes, centipedes were visible as soon as I opened my eyes. Filming in the mountains was less scary because there was no lighting, so bugs were not visible. But when the sun rose, big centipedes and bugs appeared, which was frightening."

[Photo by PrainTPC, SBS 'Ak-gwi']

"To comfort those who died unjustly, you must hold a memorial service. If that is difficult, at least have a reverent heart."(Line from Yeom Hae-sang in Awaken)

Oh Jung-se said this line struck his heart. It became a major emotional foundation for Hae-sang. He said, "Though walking silently in the fog, I think I fully understood Hae-sang's heart. The heart of someone going to save another, the small hands picking up trash ? I realized how valuable that is. Small touches gather to create great value."

Oh Jung-se said he will never forget the message Awaken carried for a long time, adding, "I started with the hope that it would be a work that makes people reflect on the word 'youth'."

"Though it is a drama that pursues fun under the guise of genre, if you follow the incidents and characters, you see 'youth.' Meeting Hae-sang, I also grew. While filming, I usually listen to music to focus, and during Awaken, I listened to Heo Hoi-kyung's 'Living Like That' (2022) and Kim Il-du's 'I Am Me' (2019). The lyrics 'I need to cherish and love myself more' resonated with me. I approached it hoping today would be a day for everyone to love themselves more."

Oh Jung-se on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet
[Photo by AFP·Yonhap News]

In May, Oh Jung-se attended the 76th Cannes Film Festival in the southern French city of Cannes. He walked the red carpet as a cast member of Spider's Web (director Kim Ji-woon), which was invited to the festival's non-competitive section. He smiled brightly, saying, "I went on a joyful picnic."

He continued, "It was an honorable stage, but rather than feeling grand, it felt more like going on a picnic with good colleagues. So I was able to enjoy it." He emphasized, "It was more special because it was an ensemble film rather than one highlighting a single character."

Oh Jung-se recalled, "Even after passing the red carpet and entering the Lumi?re Theater, I enjoyed myself excitedly. It felt like going on a picnic holding my mom and dad's hands. I saw many film lovers in the audience. That precious feeling was fully conveyed. Those vibes were unfamiliar but enjoyable."