[Focus] The Warm and Cozy Yoo Hae-jin Is Coming

Warmth Delivered with Lunar New Year Release 'Dog Days'
All Pandemic Releases Successful: An Actor 'Trusted by Fans'
'Effort' Drives Success Instead of 'Approximation' and 'Compromise'

Actor Yoo Hae-jin [Photo by CJ ENM]

Actor Yoo Hae-jin (54) is unpretentious. His neatly combed hairstyle, clean but not flashy skin, and consistent exercise have kept his weight steady for 10 years. Behind this is rigorous self-discipline. He wakes up in the morning to do strength training and jogging, maintaining a diligent routine. Being an actor who lives rightly and well requires tremendous energy. It is through bone-cutting effort that he has become who he is today.

Yoo Hae-jin is recently recognized as the actor who receives the most scripts in the film industry. He is not overshadowed even when compared to handsome actors with striking looks. His stable acting, excellent role interpretation, and trustworthy image are cited as reasons. Although he has been flooded with scripts from online streaming services (OTT), he has yet to appear in any. He decides on roles based on the principle and conviction of choosing "good works." It is said that Yoo Hae-jin exists today because there was no "sloppiness" or "compromise."

Among film directors recently, there is talk of being "addicted to Yoo Hae-jin's charm." They unanimously say, "Even without Choi Min-sik or Song Kang-ho, Yoo Hae-jin is necessary." This is because his acting has no limits. Twenty years ago, he was a typical supporting actor, known as a "comic relief," but now he is a respectable lead actor who everyone considers first for casting. He can do comedy, drama, thriller, and even romance. He even plays roles such as a dog and a robot. Is there any other actor like this? A film director I recently met said that when writing a scenario and wondering "Who should I cast for this role?" he goes to Yoo Hae-jin. There is a strange trust that Yoo Hae-jin will provide the answer. He is an actor who ultimately persuades the public through his acting. When he appears, the audience does not feel tense but willingly opens their hearts and empathizes. Whether a robot, a dog, or romance, all are convincing. He is a treasure of an actor.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the films he has appeared in have had a high success rate at the box office. The films Confidential Assignment 2: International and Night Owl (2022) both received critical acclaim and commercial success, and in last year's release Sweet & Sour: 7510, he opened the possibility of being a "romance actor" with delicate romantic acting. The phrase "As expected, Yoo Hae-jin" naturally came out. Not to mention comedy, he flawlessly portrayed King Injo of Joseon and a researcher awkward in love, earning the reputation of a "reliable actor" whom audiences trust to watch.

Dog Days stills [Photo by CJ ENM]

There was a time when he only played similar supporting roles. In the film The King and the Clown (2005), he made a striking presence as Yuk-gap, and later exploded his potential in Moss (2010), proving his possibilities. Yoo Hae-jin literally competed with his acting skills. Afterwards, he appeared in Unfair Trade (2010), Tazza: The Hidden Card (2014), The Pirates, Secretly, Greatly (2014), Veteran (2015), Luck-Key (2016), A Taxi Driver (2017), 1987 (2017), Intimate Strangers (2018), Mal-Mo-E: The Secret Mission (2019), and The Battle of Bongodong (2019), walking a solid path. He built a strong filmography as a lead, gaining both popularity and artistic recognition, establishing trust.

Next month during the Lunar New Year holiday, Yoo Hae-jin will meet audiences with two films: Dog Days (director Kim Deok-min) and Exhumation (director Jang Jae-hyun). In Dog Days, he plays Minsang, a salaryman architect who scrapes together all his resources to buy a building. Minsang is sensitive and prickly but opens his heart to neighbors through his pet dog. He gradually opens up to his pet dog, Chief (played by Wawa), who becomes family by chance. The film warmly touches on overcoming childhood trauma of losing a pet dog and personal growth.

In reality, Yoo Hae-jin experienced the pain of losing his beloved dog Winter three years ago. Winter, who passed away, was once loved by viewers when appearing on the variety show Three Meals a Day. In a recent meeting with Asia Economy, he recalled Winter, saying, "I buried him in my heart. It was very hard to let him go. I still miss and think of him," expressing his affectionate feelings. He also showed his love by saying, "I am thankful that 'dogs' exist in this world." Minsang is a character who seems gruff on the outside but has warmth, and his gaze toward his pet dog drips with affection. That warmth is fully conveyed to the audience. It restores the "humanity" that has run out of purity and goodness.

Yoo Hae-jin makes you think, "What can't he do?" This is because any role resonates with depth. Minsang, who could have been an ordinary character, comes across as warm, human, and pure, making him charming. His human charm shown through variety shows is also considerable. He is silly but has a high laugh rate, and though he may seem sensitive, he is gentle and warm. This charming actor and human Yoo Hae-jin will take charge of the theater scene this Lunar New Year.