Expressing his desire to take more diverse roles, Yeon Woo Jin shared details of his acting and exposure in Serve the People.
Directed by Jang Cheol Soo, Serve the People, tells the story of model soldier Mu-Gwang (played by Yeon Woo Jin), who is devoted to serving the people. Even though determined to reach success for his wife and child in his hometown, he faces conflicts with regard to his goals, beliefs, and forbidden love.
Mu-Gwang, although having goals, falls into the pit of temptation and desire with the young wife of the division commander, Soo-Ryun (played by Ji An).
Yeon Woo Jin who debuted in 2009 with the movie Just Friends?, and now stars in JTBC’s drama Thirty Nine, expresses his excitement in an interview for fulfilling items in his bucket list as he turns 39 (Korean age) this year.
While also sharing how he is enjoying the freedom in acting, the actor also shares details about his preparations and experiences while filming the upcoming movie Serve the People.
Taking on the Role of Soldier Mu-Gwang
Recalling how he received the synopsis of Serve the People in 2014, the actor shares his strong desire to express his transformation in acting along with the unconventional human love. However, after 6 to 7 years, actor Yeon he realizes that his feelings are now different, understanding the work on a deeper level.
“I learned more deeply, and saw the human beings living in an era and the process of changing their desires. I I thought that it could be a raw work, and I thought it was a time when I could be honest with myself, so I started working on it.”
Working for nine years in this work, and developing a long-standing relationship with director Jang Cheol Soo, the actor wanted to make this to be a special moment for the director. He notes the limitations he would have had in the past in terms of analyzing, interpreting, and feeling this work.
“The emotions I feel now are much richer. For the director who has been working on this work for a long time, I thought this moment could be special in the director’s life.”
Physical Preparations for the Role
Acknowledging that Mu-Gwang was a strong soldier, Yeon Woo Jin also shares his thoughts on how his role was also bound to be a weak human at the same time, for falling into the obsession with one’s desire.
“I think that what happens as desire engulfs humans was expressed in a fun way. I really wanted to act. If another actor did this, I felt like I would get an upset stomach,” the actor laughingly shares.
Given that there are several bed scenes, the actor has paid attention to training his body through getting tanned in his hometown in Gangneung while also enjoying soft tofu and coffee.
“I also went to a tanning shop, but I thought a natural look would be better than an artificial one.”
Recalling how he lost weight, the actor shares that intermittent fasting suited his body, and was the effective method for him.
“I finished my meal before 6-7 o’clock and fell asleep while maintaining an empty stomach for 12 hours. During the time I had, I exercised hard while consuming various nutrients. Now, I have gained a little more weight than then.”
On Filming the Bed Scenes
Mentioning the bed scenes, actor Yeon Woo Jin recalls his experiences on the set working hard even with the difficult scenes.
“The physical time was limited for filming the bed scene, so I couldn’t delay on the set. So I focused more than anything. I thought I should film while respecting the director and the other actors.”
The actor also recounts the time he filmed in the morning.
“When I go to the filming set in the morning, I see a sign that says ‘Serve the people’ and I also say ‘Let’s serve today as well’. I came here and worked with a heart that respects the other person as much as possible.”
Before filming the bed scene, the actor shares that he had meetings with the director, camera director, and Ji An, planning and adjusting the route and movements.
“I didn’t want to mess around on the set, so I tried to prepare in a set state.”
Wondering whether a person like his role Mu-Gwang exists, the actor tried his best in portraying how his character weakly chases after his desires.
“There are naked and unconventional bed scenes. I wanted to show the end of pleasure to the extent that I wondered, ‘Can such a person exist?’ It would be a lie if there was no fear of the bed scene, but I tried to capture the details to show the weak human figure chasing after greater pleasure.”
Motivation and Inspiration in Acting
Sharing his driving force in acting, actor Yeon Woo Jin notes the word responsibility.
“For me, my family is a source of great strength. And I have always considered resting as important as when I work.”
In addition, the actor also finds separating acting as a job also important.
“If I’m too immersed in acting or crazy about acting, sometimes it becomes too hard for me, and doing so doesn’t seem to express those things as good acting. Objectivity, which is seen as work in moderation, is important to me”
Satisfied with his life as an actor at present, Yeon Woo Jin foresees how his life as an actor would be in the future.
“That’s the life I’ve been living up to now. I don’t think it will change much even if I turn 40 in the future. I want to become an actor who can be used well … Personally, I want to go on a pilgrimage. I want to accept the changes in my life there and be more honest with the human Yeon Woo-jin.”
Serve the People is scheduled to premiere on February 23.
Source: Xportsnews
Photos: Jump Entertainment | JNC Media Group
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