"I thought I had to be flexible and not be aware of others. I shot with a feeling of 'so what,' promising myself to never be scared."
Actor Ryu Kyung-soo (32) has returned as a drug-addicted rebel second-generation chaebol. Through the crime action film 'Opposition Party' (directed by Hwang Byeong-guk).
Meeting him at a cafe in Samcheong-dong on the afternoon of the 18th, two days after the film's release, he appeared quite calm and composed, in stark contrast to the rebellious atmosphere of his character on screen.
When I congratulated him on the film debuting at number one at the box office, he shyly replied, "It just opened, so it doesn't feel real yet. I'm currently scheduling a visit to the theater to watch it with the audience."
The film, which opened on the 16th, is a crime action movie rated for ages 19 and older, depicting the intertwining of a broker designing the drug trade in South Korea, a prosecutor aiming for higher positions, and a detective who is committed to eradicating drug crimes, each with different objectives. It quickly reached number one at the box office and is maintaining the top spot in advance ticket sales.
Ryu Kyung-soo plays Jo Hoon, the son of a leading presidential candidate, a character that no one can easily touch. He is caught at a drug party thanks to a tip-off from actress Um Soo-jin (Chae Won-bin), but uses his father's influence to bribe prosecutor Koo Kwan-hee (Yoo Hae-jin) and easily evades the law. This incident allows Jo Hoon to wield immense power, treating Koo Kwan-hee like a puppet. In terms of being a 'bad young master,' he evokes comparisons to Jo Tae-oh (Yoo Ah-in) from 'Veteran.'
"I participated in this project because I have senior actors I really admire and wanted to learn from," he said. "Jo Hoon is in a position that can easily become a typical villain, so I thought I should twist it a bit. I wanted to do well in my role among such great seniors."
"Throughout the filming, I kept thinking, 'I must not be scared' and 'I must not be aware of others.' Rather than a villain, I aimed to act with a sense of innocence, as if to say 'so what.' Although he is a villain in the story, I thought of him as an immature person who loves 'play' like a child."
His strategy (?) worked. Whenever Jo Hoon threw something out, the veteran seniors and production team accepted it perfectly. Ryu Kyung-soo said, "They really liked whatever I did. They looked at me with a gaze that said, 'Is he really doing that?' and treated me as 'Jo Hoon.' So I was able to try various things and had the courage to do everything I wanted to."
He added, "I always thought that an actor should be 'flexible,' but I was amazed that all the seniors had already reached max level in that regard. Especially, I was constantly amazed by Yoo Hae-jin."
"He has deep thoughts about his character and acting, but aside from that, I was surprised by his ability to lead the atmosphere so well. He is great at making jokes and communicating. Of course, there is strength that comes from experience, but I think he is truly remarkable in terms of innate talent and various abilities. That's why he performs all his roles excellently, right? (laughs)"
While playing a second-generation chaebol, he also had a unique experience. It was a luxurious yacht experience. Ryu Kyung-soo shared, "There was a scene where I enjoyed a lavish party on a yacht, and it was fascinating and fun. It was my first experience," adding, "As we crossed the Han River in Yeouido, the night view was really beautiful. Apart from the filming, it was fresh and beautiful. Honestly, I liked it."
Regarding the comparisons to Jo Tae-oh (played by Yoo Ah-in) from the film 'Veteran' that surfaced after the release, he said, "I also really enjoyed 'Veteran,' but I didn't consciously think much about the character. Rather than similar roles, I referenced a lot of documentaries. The director prepared thoroughly, so there were many videos to refer to. Based on that, I worked hard to create my own 'Jo Hoon.'
His next project is a drama. He plans to show a completely opposite, everyday side compared to his intense appearance in 'Opposition Party.'
Ryu Kyung-soo expressed, "In the past, I had an obsession that as an actor, my character must change drastically. I thought the element of surprise was important and believed it was a virtue. However, as time passed, that standard completely disappeared. I realized that since I exist for the audience, what is given to me and what I want, as well as what the audience wants, is important. I think I will show a different side this time, and I'm grateful for that. I'm curious about how it will be received."
Additionally, he stated, "The happiest thing as an actor is that my life is recorded," adding, "I think every moment of my 20s, 30s, and beyond will remain as material, so each one is precious. That's why I want to try many things that I can do at this age. I want to act in a way that naturally aligns with the flow of time. For as long as possible."
"These days, the industry is quite difficult. Naturally, it's unsettling and unfortunate. In times like this, I think I can only do my best with what is given to me. While working on a film after a long time, I felt grateful for the fun of creating each part together. I hope many audience members will love it."
