Choi Woo Shik – interview for Allure

[imienazwisko.livejournal.com]

I thought the synergy the two of you showed during the photo shoot went beyond expectations.

Are the pictures good? If it was a photo shoot just with me, it wouldn’t matter, but since I’m shooting this with Uee-nuna, the pictures must be good because I shouldn’t bring her any harm.


So it’s a new year, but we can’t drop the 2014 “best actor award” discussion. Were there really big changes?

There’s more interest about my acting. Before, I wondered if I was doing well. I can have a little less of these worries now.

What I enjoy the most is seeing you taking on a character with a wider range after going in the same direction for so long.

I’ve done a lot of bright characters until now and the audience also got used to it. I’m glad that I’m being able to show more various characters since “Set Me Free”. For photo shoots too. I mostly did photo shoots with a preppy look and I was playful most of the time. Today, I got to wear suits.

Right now is the most important moment of your career. It must not be easy to decide which project to do next.

When I said I would be in “Hogoo’s Love”, my image had already changed because of “Set Me Free”, so I was often asked why I went back to the type of characters I used to do constantly. I’ve played nearly 20 roles. It’s not that I’m so good-looking or my acting is so great and I wondered if my personality wasn’t lacking as an actor. I thought about what my weapon [= his strength] was and I wondered if it wasn’t all the characters I did until now. I wanted to show to the viewers what I was the best at and fit me like the right clothe.

What was your first feeling about “Hogoo’s love”?

At first, it was a bit of a pressure. Since it’s a webtoon that was much loved by the public, there could only be high expectations. So there was the pressure of “will the viewers be satisfied?”, “will it get recognized”, “will the 16 episodes pull it off?”. However, talking with the director gave me confidence. Having a director, producers, a writer, actors I can trust is reassuring.

What kind of Hogoo did director Pyo Min Su hope for you to become?

The director completely understands me and told me this: “it’s your first time being the lead in a drama and there will be a lot of pressure and stress, but I just hope you will just enjoy filming this drama.” The director was sure that I’d be able to portray Hogoo and he didn’t doubt me at all.

Is there something you particularly worried about to portray Kang Hogoo?

When I played Young Jae in “Set Me Free”, I kept holding myself back. There are also things I must keep under control with Hogoo, but it’s in a different way from Young Jae. For Young Jae, I restrained the candid bright side of my personality, but Hogoo wasn’t easy either because it’s a character who really holds back when he holds back and who really has fun when he has fun. Still, being a nerd is who I am, so I didn’t need to do extra analysis for Hogoo’s character. Haha.

How did you feel about being the lead for the first time and having Uee as your partner?

I thought she’d have this unapprocheable “I am an actress” aura, but I was surprised when she talked to me comfortably. We talked as if we already knew each other. I think I’m lucky for being able to work with her.

When I watch the drama, I really feel like you’re having a good time.

I had small roles in the past, so my acting had to be sharp because I had to express everything in a short amount of time. Being the lead means having more scenes and acting the same way every time would kill the drama. I think what’s more important than anything is to relax. I’m still learning one thing after the other. Acting is the most interesting thing to do for me these days. I really enjoy it.

While doing nearly live shooting?

Today is my only day off and I’m doing this photo shoot. I’m happy that many people seek me out. There are times when I want to rest and think about nothing, but I want to give my all in every moment because it’s what I can do right now. As you probably konw, we must work hard when we’re called because our job is never permanent. Haha.

I wonder what your older brother’s reaction was because he didn’t think acting was for you.

My brother’s attention goes more to the actresses I’m playing with than to me. He used to ask me “when will you introduce me to them?” and I told him to stop dreaming. My brother purposely came back to Korea to attend the VIP premiere of “Set Me Free”. After the press conference, he told me for the first time “good job, thank you”.

Every time you were asked about your ideal type, you always replied “a woman with wide hips”. Is it really true?

Haha. Of course, I like wide hips, but I like a woman whom I can speak with. If we don’t really manage to hold a conversation, my heart won’t go to her. If we talk about looks, I look at lips. It’s not that I look at their shape, but I like pretty lips when a woman smiles or speaks. Dating was my goal for this year. Acting out a relationship with Uee-nuna is enough for me right now.

You will probably rest once this interview is over.

I have to read the script. I’ll start in the car on my way home. I have many scenes to film tomorrow and I haven’t perfectly memorized all my lines.

What is the first thing you want to do if you get a girlfriend?

I think it’d be nice to go hiking together. When you hike with someone, you worry less about how the other person will see you. We’d go hiking, then we’d come back and we’d have to drink makkeollie together. I’m not confident about intellectual dating.

I think you probably have bigger expectations this year since last year was a special year for you.

I became greedy after “Set Me Free”. It’s good to have big goals and go out for it, but I’ve realized I’m hoping about many more things because I’m greedy now. I think it’s a little bit detrimental. I’m not someone ambitious by nature. I want to step back and be carefree. If I get some free time, I’ll go on a trip and if I’m offered a good project, I’ll come back and get back to work. If I fail, then I’ll have to do better next time.

Compared to other actors your age, what is the thing that makes you unique?

I think it’s my carefree image in front of the camera or not. When you become an actor, your thoughts and your behaviour might be burdensome and overwhelming. I’m confident in the fact that I can show a natural image without any burden, be it as an actor or as myself.

Would you still be in Vancouver today if you hadn’t come to Korea to take auditions?

I became an actor, thanks to the opportunity created by the girl I was dating at that time. The man I was was lazy, had no dream, even if there was something I wanted to, I didn’t know how to make it happen. I came to Korea with nothing but my enthusiasm and thankfully, everything turned out well. When I was in Vancouver, I worked part-time at a sushi restaurant. If I had kept working there, wouldn’t I be a manager by now?

What’s the thing you want to do the most if you go there?

There are 13 people whom I’ve been friends with for 14 years. We have a group name. It’s so embarrassing that I just can’t reveal it. I want to go camping with my friends. They know me better than anyone else, so I’d be fine with just spending time with them.


t/n: I wasn’t really paying attention to his answers, but the ” If I fail, then I’ll have to do better next time” reminded me of what Yoon Yeo Jung said in her Allure interview. When you’re an “old” actor, you no longer care if your projects do well as long as you keep working, but when you’re a young actor, you must take nothing for granted and keep your head up even if you fail.
Source: Allure
Translation: @onesunnylady – thesunnytown.wordpress.com

photoshoot was posted here :)

Comments

[suxaholic.livejournal.com]

He s so down to earth and he likes big ass woot woot

[carra-mia.livejournal.com]

I first saw him in that TEN crime series and then he had a lil' part as a hacker in "Who are you" (as a JYP package deal with Taec I guess? Really nice package btw) and I knew boy will go places and look at him now;)

[agoongprincess.livejournal.com]

he's adorable. not only is he charming on screen, he seems lovely and unscripted in interviews. it's cute he's still in touch with his friends from 14 yrs ago, i love when ppl can stay together and love each other and grow for so long.

also lmao at dating being his goal for this year, i'll date you

[jkkwai.livejournal.com]

that sushi restaurant closed down lol;;;;

so cute bb T_T

[sand-nicky.livejournal.com]

He's such a cutie pie! I'm so glad things are working out for him. He was very sweet and so hilarious in Rooftop Prince.