[On the Record] 'Seonsan' Ryu Kyung-soo "Expressing Survival Instinct Like a Wild Animal"

Netflix Series Half-Sibling Youngho Role
"Director Yeon Sang-ho Is Like a 'Gwiin' (Benefactor)"
Dreams of Being a Lifelong Acting 'Artisan'

"Watching Youngho, I thought of wolves or wild dogs roaming in packs. An animal that has been cast out from the group. He must be wary and lonely. In the long-take action scenes, I wanted to express the rising survival instinct just before being hunted."

Actor Ryu Kyung-soo (31) plays Kim Youngho, a character who creates an inexplicable tension in the Netflix OTT series 'Seonsan.' Youngho suddenly appears, claiming to be the half-brother of the heir to Seonsan. But something is off. He seems isolated, as if he just emerged from seclusion, and his presence is extraordinary. His gaze and gestures are animalistic. Gripping viewers with taut tension, he once again showed a strong presence. On the 25th, we met him at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to hear his story.

Actor Ryu Kyung-soo [Photo by Netflix]

A Son Isolated from Society and Gaslighted

'Seonsan' is a six-episode Netflix series released on the 19th, depicting a story where ominous events unfold and family secrets are revealed after inheriting a small uncle’s Seonsan, which had been forgotten. Director Yeon Sang-ho, known for films like 'Train to Busan' (2016), 'Peninsula' (2020), and Netflix's 'Hellbound' (2021), participated in planning and writing, while Min Hong-nam, who worked as his assistant director on several projects, took charge of directing and writing.

Ryu Kyung-soo captivated attention from his first appearance as the extraordinary Youngho. He appears at his small uncle’s funeral as a half-brother whom the heir Seo-ha (played by Kim Hyun-joo) has never met before. Suddenly appearing, he claims rights to Seonsan. The opening funeral scene is intense. While everyone else takes off their shoes to step onto the wooden floor, he alone enters wearing shoes, giving off a suspicious vibe.

He said, "I thought the first appearance had to be overwhelming for the role to be established. I pondered a lot about what 'overwhelming' feeling is and how to express it. From the way he walks, his gaze, to his appearance, I wanted to convey the feeling of someone never seen before. It seemed like he was crying but also making strange sounds. It’s unclear if he’s looking at the portrait or not. I expressed a unique moment where he suddenly gets startled while standing still."

He identified 'isolation' as an important keyword. Ryu explained, "Youngho, having lived disconnected from society for a long time, might emit an energy that others cannot see. His unintentional actions might also be misunderstood by others."

'Seonsan' still [Photo by Netflix]

Youngho has been gaslighted by his mother?a twisted maternal love. When asked how he interpreted the relationship with his mother, he answered, "Youngho is a son who listens well to his mother."

"I saw Youngho as a son who thinks he must obey his mother unconditionally. He loves his mother very much and cannot live without her. They probably didn’t have many conversations. He was mostly the listener. I saw their relationship as him eating the meals she prepared quietly and listening well. Ultimately, what he wanted seems to be like his last line: 'Let’s go home.' He doesn’t care about the fight over Seonsan; he just wants to go home and live as he did with his mother. That’s probably what Youngho desires most."

Ryu Kyung-soo left a strong impression as Priest Yoo Ji in last year’s Netflix series 'Hellbound' and worked with director Yeon Sang-ho again in the Netflix film 'Jung-E' and 'Seonsan.' He called Yeon Sang-ho a "noble person" to him. He added, "Thanks to him, I played many characters I would never have had the chance to play. It was a precious experience." He continued, "During filming, he entrusted me with many parts and respected me. Sometimes that was more burdensome, but I took responsibility and finished it to the end."

Next-Generation Seol Kyung-gu and Hwang Jung-min... "I Will Act Until I Die"

Actor Ryu Kyung-soo [Photo by Netflix]

Ryu Kyung-soo is also well known for the story of how, at age 16, he impulsively visited a film company in Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, dreaming of becoming an actor. Based on methods he searched online, he created a portfolio with photos taken at a local photo studio. The self-introduction letter in a yellow envelope began with, "Hello, I am Ryu Kyung-soo. I want to act." Recalling that time, he said, "I still remember it vividly." He laughed, "It’s embarrassing even now. Back then, there wasn’t even a profile (portfolio) box in front of the film company. I just showed up with my portfolio. The office scene is still vivid in my mind."

"I kept learning acting. I appeared in independent and short films by university students and kept auditioning. Later, I entered Chung-Ang University’s Department of Theater and Film. I also remember auditioning for the film 'Poetry' (directed by Lee Chang-dong). My first commercial film was 'Midnight Runners' (2017)."

With 38 films and 11 dramas, he has quite a number of works for an actor just over the threshold of his 30s. Ryu said, "In the past, I was looked down on with comments like 'What kind of actor are you?' or 'Anyone can be an actor.' Those words were like daggers. (laughs) Now, I’m happy to be given roles and to act." He added, "My ordinary-looking face used to be a complex. I wished I had double eyelids and more distinct features, but now I’m satisfied. I feel it suits characters well."

He is also regarded as the "next-generation Hwang Jung-min and Seol Kyung-gu." Last year, he earned praise for his impressive acting in major roles in the film 'Daemuga' and the drama 'Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938.'

"Every time I hear that, I feel I have to do better. It motivates me to think about how to improve. I try to think differently and approach from entirely different perspectives. The important thing is the mindset of 'doing my part.' I like the word 'artisan' and want to become an 'acting artisan.' I always dream of living as an actor for a long time as I grow older. I respect those called 'artisans' in any field."

Actor Ryu Kyung-soo [Photo by Netflix]

Finally, he said he wants to try romance acting. "Among Korean melodramas, I like the sensibility of the film 'One Fine Spring Day' (2001) the most. It was sad at the end. I also enjoyed the lively 'Love Fiction' (2012). I want to do a work where a man and woman end happily in love. Above all, I hope it’s not a one-sided love. I want to act in a romance where emotions are exchanged."