[TF Interview] Yoo Hae-jin, Facing the Role of a Film Again with 'Assassins'

Actor Yoo Hae-jin takes on the role of Cheol-gu, a detective who witnessed the First Lady assassination attempt."A time to think once more about the case that remains a question mark."Actor Yoo Hae-jin held an interview regarding the release of the film 'Assassins (s)'. / Hive Media Corp.[Reporter Park Ji-yoon] While cinematic imagination is added, bringing a real event to the screen is inevitably a significant burden for an actor. Nevertheless, Yoo Hae-jin chose 'Assassins (s)'. This is because he viewed the role of film as making people re-encounter and reflect on events that some may not have known or that have faded over time, and in this process, providing food for thought.Yoo Hae-jin conducted an interview with at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 11th, ahead of the release of the film 'Assassins (s)' (directed by Hur Jin-ho). He shared his honest impressions, saying, "I was worried it might be slow-paced, but I thought it was good because it was tight and dense. I hope it does well," and shared various stories related to the work.'Assassins (s)', which opens in theaters today (23rd), is a mystery thriller that traces the suspicions and behind-the-scenes of the First Lady assassination attempt that shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974, adding cinematic imagination to the remaining records and unresolved questions to this day. Director Hur Jin-ho, who has delicately explored characters and events through films such as 'The Last Princess' and 'Christmas in August', took the megaphone.This work is a suspense genre film that fills the gaps in official records with cinematic imagination, based on the assassination of First Lady Yuk Young-soo during the Liberation Day ceremony in 1974. It delivers a profound message that transcends eras and leaves a deep impression through characters who persistently pursue the truth as they approach the reality of the incident.Yoo Hae-jin plays the role of Cheol-gu, a detective from the Central Police Station who directly witnessed the First Lady assassination attempt. / Hive Media Corp.Initially, Yoo Hae-jin was cautious about taking on the role. He added, "Just as 'The King and the Clown' was a work that made people rethink King Danjong by creating a backstory based on old records, I thought this would be a time to think once more about the case that remains a question mark, even if it's cinematic. This is one of the great things a movie can do," explaining his reason for choosing the film.In the film, Cheol-gu is a detective from the Central Police Station who directly witnessed the First Lady assassination attempt. In this role, Yoo Hae-jin portrays the character's determination and profound conviction with density, as a common citizen of that era and a detective pursuing the truth of an event that shook the nation, thereby increasing the audience's immersion. He explained the focus of his performance, saying, "The patriotism of one person and the despair experienced when encountering events full of question marks gave me strength. I tried not to let go of what the truth was until the end."So, what was it like working with director Hur Jin-ho for the first time? Yoo Hae-jin was taken aback when Director Hur asked about Cheol-gu's feelings while filming his back as he walked down the hallway, but he was also surprised by the director's meticulousness and dedication to fundamentals, even after working for a long time."So I think I always acted while thinking. There were no cases where he gave a triumphant 'OK.' He would watch intently and then suggest shooting it in a different way, which made me even more nervous. At first, I thought, 'Why is he doing that?' but when we talked about it afterward, there was a reason for it. Of course, I didn't feel positive every day. It's not because I acted a lot, but it's not easy to immerse yourself in emotional scenes every time. So, it's difficult for actors (laughs)."Yoo Hae-jin revealed his reason for deciding to appear in the film, stating, "I thought it would be a time to think once more about the case that remains a question mark, even if it's cinematic. This is one of the great things a movie can do." / Hive Media Corp.He then spoke about Park Hae-il, whom he reunited with after 16 years since 'Moss' (2010), saying, "I thought his gaze might have lost its intensity with age, but his gaze is still so good. After watching the movie, I was amazed by the good gaze and energy he expressed. I thought there aren't many actors who can express great energy in a steadfast and upright manner," revealing his special affection.He also mentioned that he was captivated by Lee Min-ho's unexpected charm when they met for the first time. Yoo Hae-jin emphasized, "I thought he might be pretentious or arrogant because he's a Hallyu star, but he was incredibly friendly and approachable, reaching out first. He has a great personality, knows how to present his vision, and is smart. When you talk to him, you feel like he knows a lot. I've been telling everyone around me that he's a smart and good person."Yoo Hae-jin, who has solidified his irreplaceable position by taking on diverse genres and characters, has now added five films with over 10 million viewers to his filmography, including 'King and the Clown', 'Veteran', 'A Taxi Driver', 'Exhuma', and 'The King and the Man', which was released in February. Buoyed by this success, he won the Grand Prize in the Film category at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards, making it an unforgettable and meaningful year for him as an actor."I feel a lot of gratitude these days. After 'The King and the Man', I received so many good comments, and I've been reading them while drinking and feeling happy. I used to think I had received enough supporting actor awards and that I had received my share, but receiving the Grand Prize felt really good. I reflected on myself and thought I had done a good job. Perhaps because I understand life better than before, or because I'm going through menopause, my emotions have become more sensitive for various reasons."Yoo Hae-jin is having a meaningful year, following up his success with 'The King and the Man', which drew 10 million viewers and earned him the Grand Prize in the Film category at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards, with the release of 'Assassins (s)'. He reflected, "I feel a lot of gratitude these days." / Hive Media Corp.Yoo Hae-jin, who has become the actor with the highest cumulative audience in Korean cinema through his steadfastness, consistency, and unwavering passion for acting. On this day, while leaving open the possibility of appearing in OTT series or dramas, he did not hide his special affection for film, his home ground."If there's an interesting script, the possibility of appearing in a series is always open. However, since film is my home ground, I tend to favor it. This time, I had many open conversations with director Hur Jin-ho and other actors. But if I don't have time for things like this, I think I'll get stressed. I think this is why I continue to make films."Finally, with various Korean films of different genres filling the Chuseok theater season, including 'Assassins (s)', he also shared his unique feelings about releasing his film on the same day as 'Tazza: The Hidden Card', which marks the finale of a series that has continued for 20 years, as an actor who led the 'Tazza' series."'Tazza: The Hidden Card' may not have the same director and actors as the first installment, but the title itself feels familiar. That's because it's a work that holds great meaning for me. While I can't pick just one memorable character, if I had to choose, it would be Go Kwang-ryeol from 'Tazza', so I can't help but feel attached to it. Also, the fact that multiple Korean films are being released means there will be competition, but I think it's a good thing for once."[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr