ALL ABOUT KOSOO: MOVIEWEEK interview with Ko Soo

Elsie saw a Chinese version of the MOVIEWEEK interview with Ko Soo in Baidu.

So she translated it for us.

Thanks with credit to Elsie and Thanks to Baidu too.

English translaton by ELSIE

14/7/2011

Interview with MOVIEWEEK

Ko Soo: Stereotype image

I have actually interviewed him many times, but each time I am surprised at his appearance. Not just psychological but physical as well. He stood upright, straight as a tree trunk, like a recruit who had just completed military training. He gave each question very careful thought before replying and even the verbiage was not carelessly used. He was clearly the image of a decent, courteous young man. But it’s not the same this time.

Ko Soo was seated with shoulders relaxed, just like how Soo Hyuk would sit in GOJIJEON. I couldn’t help asking him if he had forgotten that he was no longer Soo Hyuk. His reply was, “No, I have already come out of Soo Hyuk’s shadow. If it’s about the posture, it’s because I have just underwent surgery on my shoulder. I had a serious dislocation so I had surgery. In fact when I went back for follow-up examination, the doctor told me that the sitting posture is very important. If the posture is wrong, the shoulder will be dislocated again. Didn’t realize that I’ve always been particular about a ‘ramrod straight’ posture and now I’ve got health problem. The shoulder is slowly recovering but my posture has somehow gotten relaxed along the way”.

In regard to recent rumours that “Ko Soo has changed”, he said: “It will be a lie if I were to say that I am not bothered with what others say. In fact, when people said that I was a good and polite young man, this gave the impression that I was difficult to get along with. I have always been real and sincere to people – when I talk to them or when I communicate with them. However, people always seem to think that what I am is different from what is in my heart. (After a long thought). But it doesn’t matter”. His eyes shone like clear sea water when he said those words and this gave people around him a calm feeling.

Q: Is it true that you like the role of Kim Soo Hyuk right from the beginning?

Ko Soo: Director Jang Hun gave me the script and asked me which was the role I like best among so many characters. Although I have a good feeling about Soo Hyuk, but at the same time there is some pressure. In the script, Soo Hyuk’s character is the one which changes most, even to the point of exaggeration. He is like the embodiment of war (laughs).

Q: According to writer Park Sang Yeon, he was worried because when he first met you, you didn’t even know how to yell at a person.

Ko Soo: Yes, he asked me whether I’m comfortable with Soo Hyuk occasionally cursing at people. I replied not at all because how could there be anyone who does not curse in bad language? On the other hand, would anger in your heart disappear by merely yelling obscenities at someone? I don’t think it works that way.

Q: I heard that the film set is highly dangerous. It is almost like a battlefield. So actors will have a lot of pressure playing such intense characters. How do you resolve it?

Ko Soo: For me, the pressure does not come from someone or something. Rather, it comes from my own acting ability. In GOJIJEON, Soo Hyuk has the greatest emotional change. It is not easy to nail down his feelings. But after all, it’s me who will have to solve this problem. Sometimes I shout my heart out when there is no one around (laughs).

Q: Soo Hyuk appears as a ‘good man’ who wants to destroy the war. His transformation from start to finish is most obvious. How did you tackle the role initially?

Ko Soo: He is more vulnerable than kind. In Eun Pyo’s recollection, Soo Hyuk is like a child looking for his mother. Although his character is one who is looking for someone to protect and care for him, he has truly experienced war after all. And he is tasked with rescuing the Alligator Squadron. Based on the script, he is a hero. However, the heroes of GOJIJEON are everyone of those who fought in this war, including the disputed land which is the cause of war. It will not be right to focus on Soo Hyuk, so I would want to portray Soo Hyuk as someone ordinary who merely took part in the war.

Q: The difference between the script and the movie is that Soo Hyuk smiles a lot more in the movie. After killing many in the battlefield, he was able to laugh and joke with his troops almost immediately. Was this your idea?

Ko Soo: What I remember most is that smile. Is there such thing as a miserable yet elegant war? I don’t think so. War has become part of these people’s life. In the beginning when Soo Hyuk sees a dead body, he trembles with fright like a crazy man. But at some point in time, he is suddenly able to smile when he sees dead bodies and can even joke about it. This is a frightening change.

Q: When I saw PSYCHIC, I had this suspicion that Ko Soo wanted to deliberately keep his handsome face hidden. On seeing GOJIJEON, I am completely convinced that this is so. Have you found a way to keep that handsome face hidden? It looks very comfortable this time.

Ko Soo: (After thinking for a while). There are some people who think positively like you and there are others who suspect that “he has changed”. Actually this is a result of hard work. I will repeatedly tell myself not to try too hard, don’t try too hard. When shooting GOJIJEON, I realized at some point that I have developed a certain habit. As long as I am in front of the camera, I will unconsciously use a very cool tone of voice and my expression will change accordingly. I always thought I’m not like that (laughs). I always thought I’m very natural. After seeing myself again, I felt that I looked terrible. I wanted then to immediately get rid of that ‘habit’. It was like a clap of thunder in the dark of my mind which awakened me. In order not to try too hard, I am working very hard to change. But I am still not very happy with it.

Q: Has anyone said that Ko Soo, the decent, courteous young man has changed?

Ko Soo: (After thinking for a while). In fact, everyone wants to see what they would like to see. In the beginning, it is true that I’ve gotten this ‘decent young man’ image through an advertisement. I have thought about how to break away from this stereotype image. Do I have to play some ‘bad boy’ roles? (Laughs). Actually, I don’t have to do so deliberately. As long as I work diligently, people will see a better side of me. This stereotype image will then ultimately change. I feel that this image thing is something which is perceived by others and not something which you can present. I can’t very well ask people to “please look at me this way”. I want to change naturally, like running water.

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