'Kill Show' Seo Hyun-woo: "I Discovered My Own Universe Through Acting" [On the Record]

Actor Seo Hyun-woo Interview

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Actor Seo Hyun-woo [Photo by Walt Disney Company Korea]

"An actor to take over Song Kang-ho's baton."

The film industry has been paying attention to actor Seo Hyun-woo (40) for quite some time. He studied acting at the Korea National University of Arts and tirelessly performed on stage. Since then, he gradually made his face known in films and dramas. His acting skills quickly gained word of mouth. Fellow actors recognized his true talent first. He made a strong impression with his presence in the drama "My Mister" (2018) and the film "The Man Standing Next" (2020). Now, he has become an actor who receives quite a few scripts. Director Park Chan-wook also chose him. He is a treasure-like actor with a solid acting foundation, not just a fresh "youth" weapon.

In the OTT (over-the-top) service Disney+ series "Killers' Shopping Mall" (directed by Lee Kwon), Seo Hyun-woo revealed a new side by playing the cold-blooded sniper Lee Sung-jo. Sung-jo tightens the noose around his niece Jian (Kim Hye-jun), who becomes a target of killers due to the inheritance from his deceased uncle (Lee Dong-wook). Ruthless yet witty even in tense situations, he brings laughter. He is praised for portraying a killer, who could have been flat, in a three-dimensional way.

In an interview with Asia Economy held in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Seo Hyun-woo said, "I referred to the atmosphere and feeling of the original webtoon, but there was no particular role to reference separately." He added, "I see Sung-jo as a character created solely by the director, and I thought about the functional role he plays in the work." He continued, "Survival was the most important. He is an opportunist and materialistic. Balancing the gap between wit and seriousness was not easy."

Actor Seo Hyun-woo [Photo by Walt Disney Company Korea]

To portray a sniper who stops at nothing for his goal, he trained in action and shooting three months before filming. Seo Hyun-woo said, "I learned how to hold and shoot guns from experts such as the martial arts team and the gun shop owner. I also referred to foreign mercenary videos. Experts from different countries had different opinions, so I researched by accepting all methods."

He said, "I focused on live ammunition shooting practice. When doing pistol action, I had to get used to the sound of gunfire. I thought about how to handle the gun precisely and skillfully." Regarding the setting of using an axe as another weapon, he said, "I studied sniper traits, and they have the habit of hiding and sniping someone and being careful not to get hurt. The axe is used in close combat, and its function of instantly subduing the opponent fits well with the sniper's traits."

The firearms used in filming were different from those used in the military, so they were handled delicately and sensitively. Seo Hyun-woo said, "The way of sniping the target through the scope was different. The sniping scenes were filmed at very long distances. Even moving the muzzle direction by 1 cm shifted the shooting range by 50 to 100 meters. Precise movements were required."

'Killerdeului Shopping Mall' Still Photo [Photo by Walt Disney Company Korea]

The phrase "As expected, Seo Hyun-woo" comes to mind. Although he plays a killer holding guns and knives, he expressed a human side well, breathing life into the character. This is the result of delicate character interpretation and acting skills. Looking back, Seo Hyun-woo's face was very different in each work. The clumsy, childish yet sly and strangely charming "Byeong-gu" (2015). Jeon Doo-hyuk in "The Man Standing Next," who obediently hides greedy desires under a cleanly shaved head. The ruthless Sa Cheol-sung in "Decision to Leave" (2022), covered in tattoos and unhesitant to verbally and physically abuse his wife. The quirky Cheon Gye-jang in "Phantom" (2023), who is strict and suspicious but tries to go to Gyeongseong to see the cat he left at home. He powerfully completed every role. This is why he is called the "second Song Kang-ho" and receives high expectations.

"It's an honor. It would be a lie to say I don't feel the burden, but I'm grateful. I try to be wary of familiarity. I want to whip myself who is getting used to blending myself into characters. After a project ends, I completely get out of the role. While filming, I immerse myself in the role, but once it's over, I quickly return to daily life. I try to make myself a neutral person."

When asked about the turning point in his acting career, he chose director Park Chan-wook's "Decision to Leave" (2022), which won the Best Director Award at the 75th Cannes Film Festival. Seo Hyun-woo said, "It was a work that made me feel change." He recalled, "That year, I received the 'New Male Actor of the Year' award at the Directors' Cut Awards. I saw film directors I had never met before all in one place while distributing my profile at film companies. They gave me a lot of kind words. I was dumbfounded and couldn't believe it." He added, "It gave me confidence and courage. It was a great strength."

Actor Seo Hyun-woo Photo by Walt Disney Company Korea

Seo Hyun-woo's driving force is the "filming set." He said, "Sometimes I get physically and mentally exhausted, but filming is the most fun. I have no hobbies. If I don't have work, I stay at home. So being on set is the best. Sometimes we fiercely argue about 'I'm right, you're right,' but that process is an enjoyable 'game.' I also have a sense of responsibility to do good work meticulously. It seems like workaholism, but will this change? When I'm tired, I actually do more projects. I get the greatest energy on set."

"The process of discovering myself through acting is fun. When I muster the courage to choose a role, I see sides of myself I didn't know. That challenge is fascinating. I keep discovering the universe inside me. Watching the characters I played, I sometimes think, 'This resembles my mother,' or 'This looks like my father.' (laughs) Challenges are the driving force that pushes me forward as a creator. Acting itself is precious."