Byun Yo Han recently opened up about his ambitions as an actor and reflected on his career during an engaging interview.
“My youthful days are behind me… but I’m excited for the wrinkles in my 40s,” Byun Yo Han shared as he sat down for an insightful interview, discussing his role in the Disney+ original series Uncle Samsik.
Uncle Samsik is a touching story featuring Uncle Samsik (played by Song Kang Ho), who ensures that Kim San (Byun Yo Han), an ambitious young man, always has three meals a day, even during wartime. Kim San, who returns from the United States with a doctorate in economics, dreams of creating a prosperous country where everyone is well-fed and happy. However, he faces despair in a chaotic society. Meeting Uncle Samsik changes his path, offering new hope and a chance to achieve his dreams.
Byun Yo Han shared his thoughts on his character, Kim San, saying, “Everyone’s dreams and ambitions are different, but it’s about who shows it more. I wanted to portray Kim San as someone honest about his dreams and ambitions. The size of each person’s dreams is unique, and for Kim San, it was a fight to see whose ambitions were more evident.“
When asked about his ambitions as an actor, Byun Yo-han revealed, “My dream is to keep going with all my energy as long as I can in good health. Physical health is important, but I also believe that the joy of acting has a finite lifespan. I want to continue without wavering and move forward with purpose.”
Reflecting on moments of doubt, he shared, “I feel shaken every time I reach my limits. There are moments when I feel like I’m reaching my limit, and that’s when the doubt creeps in. However, I want to leave behind as much work as possible. Those moments of feeling shaken are a natural part of growth.”
Byun Yo-han also spoke about his two-year hiatus, which he discussed previously on tvN’s You Quiz on the Block. He attributed his return to acting to “nature and inertia.” He explained, “It’s not about wanting to work harder. I’m just doing what I’m meant to do. I liked it when people I hadn’t seen in a long time said I was the same as before. Hearing ‘You’re working harder’ can feel overindulgent, so I just keep doing what I’m doing. My gratitude for standing in front of the camera has become clearer.”
Approaching his 40s, Byun Yo-han joked, “My youthful face ended after Incomplete Life and Ex-Girlfriend Club.” Despite not showing youth outwardly, he still feels it within. “I want to age quickly. I’m excited for the wrinkles, not out of confidence in my appearance, but because they reflect my life. Looking at my wrinkles, I’ll know how I’ve lived. I’m curious and looking forward to it.”
He continued, “It’s not just about the physical changes. There are some cool older seniors I look up to, and I’m curious about how I’ll evolve. It’s not that I’m confident in my appearance, but I smile a lot. Will I get older with more smiles or frowns? My wrinkles will tell the story.”
In ‘Uncle Samsik,’ Byun Yo-han’s character Kim San dreams of a prosperous country where people live without worrying about food. After returning from the United States with a doctorate in economics, he finds himself disillusioned in a chaotic society. At that moment, Uncle Samsik offers him a new path, promising to help him realize his dreams. This dynamic and inspiring role allowed Byun Yo-han to explore themes of ambition, hope, and resilience.
As the interview concluded, Byun Yo-han expressed his passion for acting and his determination to keep pushing forward.
“My goal is to continue acting with all my energy and to remain healthy. I want to keep creating and leaving a lasting legacy through my work.”
Catch Uncle Samsik on Disney+ to see Byun Yo Han’s captivating performance and witness the story of dreams and resilience unfold.
Photos: Disney+
