[On the Record] "Life is a Continuous Series of Realizations" Lee Hyun-woo, 170,000 Hours of Sweat Drops

Actor Lee Hyun-woo Interview

Movie 'Dog Days' Novice Pet Owner 현역
"Tears Flowing Thinking of Angel Who Crossed the Rainbow Bridge"

Actor Lee Hyun-woo [Photo by Awesome ENT]

"Life is long. Looking back, I was young. Life is a continuous series of experiences, clashes, and realizations. I believe that if I take one step at a time, a day will come when I find meaning."

Actor Lee Hyun-woo (30) is a veteran actor with 20 years since debut. He has lived two-thirds of his life as an actor. A young man who has just returned from military service. Although relatively young, the world he views is densely packed. Recently, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, he met with Asia Economy and introduced himself as a 'confident F (feeling type)'. He laughs and cries a lot but is smart. He started acting as an elementary school student in the KBS children's drama 'Ulla Bulla Blue Jjang' (2004), and over the course of two decades, hundreds of actors and production staff have passed through. Those times were tough but helped him grow and become more mature than his peers. The sweat he shed for over 170,000 hours made him who he is today.

"Acting is fun and makes me happy after discharge"

In October 2019, he was discharged as a sergeant from the Army's 1st Infantry Division, opening the second act of his life. After discharge, Lee Hyun-woo has been diligently working, starring in the film 'Hero' (director Yoon Je-kyun, 2022) and the recently released 'Dog Days' (director Kim Deok-min) on the 7th. When we met in Busan before the release of 'Hero' in 2022 after several years, he seemed like a completely different person. His expression was much more relaxed, and his mature appearance was impressive. He said, "Military service was a turning point in my life." He also honestly shared that before enlisting, acting was quite a 'stress'.

"It's a bit embarrassing to say this, but before going to the military, work (acting) was just work. The pressure was greater than the fun. I was under a lot of stress. After discharge, my thoughts became clearer. Starting from the film 'Hero' to 'Dog Days,' I gradually discovered joy and happiness in work. I felt that work and happiness were rising in balance. It's like a feeling that professional passion is burning in my life. So I like it. These days, although it's tough and busy, I am grateful that I find joy and happiness within it and have a goal to move in the direction I want."

Actor Lee Hyun-woo [Photo by Awesome ENT]

Lee Hyun-woo said he wants to work a lot. He said, "I am immediately aware of my situation," and started talking about the "reputation and image value of 'actor Lee Hyun-woo'." His cold and honest self-analysis was somewhat surprising. He said, "Of course, everyone has the desire to be the lead, but right now, I feel I can't. I want to work harder and more diversely to reach the point I aim for."

That is why he participated in 'Hero' and 'Dog Days.' Both films are ensemble works where several actors interact. Lee Hyun-woo said, "Regardless of the size of the role, I thought it was a good opportunity. Through the work, my thoughts were organized a lot, and I learned a lot." He added, "I wondered if I had only thought foolishly until now. I want to show my appearance more often to those who have watched over me. I plan to act in more characters."

"In the past, I really often thought 'I want to rest.' But now, I think 'working is a good thing.' I am grateful for those who seek me out, and I have a stronger feeling that I must work harder and do well. There was a time when I would not fully accept advice from others and would brush it off. I am definitely different from then. I feel pride in myself. I try to encourage myself with 'Okay, good.' Life seems to be a continuous series of action and reaction."

Movie 'Dog Days' Still Image [Photo by CJ ENM]

Lee Hyun-woo worked on two consecutive projects with the production company JK Film. After 'Hero,' he collaborated again on 'Dog Days.' In 'Dog Days,' an actor who was scheduled to appear left due to a personal scandal, and Lee Hyun-woo quickly joined afterward. He said he has a special affection for JK Film. He said, "Working with director Yoon Je-kyun on 'Hero,' I felt 'So this is why people say Yoon Je-kyun.'" He added, "Although he is a successful and famous director, I was impressed by the atmosphere and attitude on set. The mood changes depending on how the director holding the megaphone leads the set. Directors Yoon Je-kyun and Kim Deok-min are not lone wolves. They gather in front of the monitor with script supervisors, assistant directors, cinematographers, and listen to various opinions. It felt like a collaborative work, which was good. Some sets feel like you are used as disposable, but working with these two directors was nothing like that."

"Happy filming with kind and gentle Floyd"

In 'Dog Days,' Lee Hyun-woo plays 'Hyun,' a novice pet owner who takes care of Sting, the dog of his ex-girlfriend Su-jeong. One day, Su-jeong's ex-ex-boyfriend Daniel (played by Daniel Henney) suddenly appears, and they face a comical situation of taking care of Sting together. He said, "It could feel absurd, so convincing the audience was a challenge." He continued, "I saw that Hyun and Daniel have the same feelings for Sting. That point shouldn't appear ridiculous. I focused on conveying sincerity to the audience and making their situation believable."

"It was even better that Daniel was played by Daniel Henney. The embodiment of gentleness appeared and melted the audience's hearts. I think Daniel Henney is an actor with that kind of power. I also liked my long hair style. The director said he wanted a 'rock' vibe for the role of a band guitarist, so I thought a lot. I tried wigs and various stylings to create a combined look. It was my first time trying this style, but I liked it."

Actor Lee Hyun-woo [Photo by Awesome ENT]

Lee Hyun-woo is a pet owner of two dogs: a 15-year-old Beagle named 'Byeol-i' and an 8-year-old Poodle named 'Haneul-i.' His affection for dogs was evident in the way he gently held Sting without hurting him during filming. When asked about this, he smiled and said, "It was a happy shoot." He added, "I have been raising dogs at home since I was 7 or 8 years old. Thanks to that, filming with Sting was a happy experience. It was a good memory." He also said, "Floyd, who played Sting, was really kind. I had never seen such a gentle and people-loving dog before. I had never lived with a large dog, but filming fulfilled that dream. It was truly happy," he laughed.

During the euthanasia scene of the dog in the film, he recalled and shed tears thinking of Jangmi, Kami, and Angel-i, who had crossed the rainbow bridge.

"The dogs my family raised?Jangmi, Kami, and Kami's puppy Angel-i?have crossed the rainbow bridge. We said goodbye to these three family members. Watching the film, I remembered when Angel-i crossed the rainbow bridge. One day, I was outside when my mother called me urgently, telling me to come quickly to the animal hospital. I rushed there and found that the little baby (Angel) had cardiac arrest. The doctor kept performing CPR. It was painful because it reminded me of a personal experience. Also, the scene where Wanda, Youn Yuh-jung's dog in the film, runs toward the ambulance was very sad."