Working together with Kim Yoo Jung in 20th Century Girl, actor Byeon Woo Seok describes how he prepared for his first leading role in a movie.
Saved in a videotape, 20th Century Girl recollects memories from the year 1999 when a girl named Na Bo-ra fulfills her best friend’s wish to pursue her first love.
In the movie, Byeon Woo Seok portrays Poong Woon-ho, the best friend of Baek Hyun-jin.
Playing also the love interest of Na Bo-ra, Byeon Woo Seok’s charm is highlighted through his character Poong Woon-ho who looks cold but has the brightest smile in the world.
Landing his first leading role in a movie through 20th Century Girl, he talks about the preparations he made for his role and his experience working with Kim Yoo Jung, who is his senior in acting.
K-Movie Spotlight: “20th Century Girl” Glimmers With Its Nostalgic Fuzzy Feeling of Love
A Career Milestone
Poong Woon-ho is Byeon Woo Seok’s first leading role in a movie, and the actor admits how he approached the role with an eager mindset.
“I have the same mindset to work hard when doing all the works, but I treated Woon-ho with the mindset that I should do everything.”
As he is playing a major role, the actor pours all his hard work into expressing his character well.
“I felt burdened because it was a big character and role, but I thought about it more and tried to act more diligently.”
Debuting in the 2016 tvN drama Dear My Friends, the actor has continued to prove his rich emotions in acting through his role in Record of Youth.
Moreover, he also exuded the energy of a pure man in Moonshine.
Summing up all those experiences, the actor recognizes how his past roles helped him in portraying Poong Woon-ho.
“The characters I’ve acted in the past have been a great help to me…”
In addition to his past experiences, Byeon Woo Seok made sure that the genuine feelings he had while filming 20th Century Girl radiated outside the screen.
“When I filmed 20th Century Girl, I expressed my feelings at the moment, and I thought that if I was sincere and immersed in the moment, my heartfelt intention would go to the viewers.”
Not only did his past roles help in building his character, but the actor also shares how it supported him in acting as someone who pursues their love interest.
“I played a lot of characters who liked and had a crush on someone in my previous work, and I think those things have accumulated a little.”
Indirect Experience of 1999
Recalling when he first read the script, Byeon Woo Seok remembers feeling captivated by it while already picturing how he will express the character.
“When I read the scenario, it was very memorable. I read it imagining what it would be like if I expressed it, and the scenes were really pretty. I was so excited to participate in such a good work.”
Having an older sister five years older than him, the actor notes how he has experienced the emotions of 1999 indirectly.
“The images I saw over my shoulder through my older sister are memorable.”
In addition to that, to fully immerse himself in the film’s timeline, the actor tells how he borrowed videos from that year.
On Portraying a High School Boy
Born in the year 1991, the actor laughingly expressed his honest feelings about having to wear a high school uniform in his 30s.
“It was a little burdensome to wear a school uniform…”
He recalls checking with the team members in charge of the costume if it was okay if he wore the uniform, and thought about losing weight.
“…So, I lost a little more weight because I thought about how to make it look younger to people who see it a little more.”
Correcting himself, the actor shares how he chose to lose muscles to fit the image of his role.
“Even at that time, I was a little skinny, but rather than losing weight, I think it would be more accurate to say that I lost muscle because I thought I would look older if I had a bigger body and muscles.”
In his preparations to wear a high school uniform, the actor appreciates the time he had while exercising as he was also able to take care of himself.
“I always had the thought that I should exercise regularly and take care of myself. I think the time I spent at the gym, jogging, and exercising to take care of myself might have been the basis for wearing a school uniform.”
Working with Kim Yoo Jung
Portraying the love interest of Na Bo-ra, Byeon Woo Seok humbly reacts to being the icon of the first love of Kim Yoo Jung’s character in the movie.
“I wondered if this modifier could be attached to me…”
Through that label, the actor finds strength in expressing his role.
“I would be very grateful if the viewers thought that way. So, rather than feeling burdened, I was thinking about the character as hard as I could.”
Although Kim Yoo Jung is younger than Byeon Woo Seok, the actor calls her his senior in acting, and appreciates he was able to become close to her.
“She has been very considerate of me since we first met. I’m grateful to Kim Yoo Jung.”
Chosen to play Poong Woon-ho, the actor expresses his extreme gratitude knowing that there are other seniors in the industry who also fits the image of first love.
“I kept thinking about whether it is okay to come to me for a role like this. Aren’t there seniors who have the image of first love in the work? The fact that you are interested in me and that I don’t have many opportunities to do this kind of work, I’m just grateful…”
With a special place in his heart, Byeon Woo Seok thanks viewers of 20th Century Girl, and promises his continued determination as an actor.
“Thankfully, so many people showed interest. It means so much to me. It’s not easy to express in one word, but I want to show you how I work harder and do better.”
Watch 20th Century Girl on Netflix.
Source: Xportsnews
Photos: Netflix
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INTERVIEW: Byeon Woo Seok Shares His Overwhelming Experience Filming “20th Century Girl”
Source: Pinoy Student Wars
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