[TF Interview] Seo Hyun-woo, who won the lottery, conquers safe playgrounds
Lee Jun-hyuk and the teamwork they completed... "We took care of each other like a married couple on set""There are no promotions for actors... Every project is a new beginning"Actor Seo Hyun-woo met with
and conducted an interview regarding the TVING series 'Welcome to the Class of Lotto Winners,' which concluded on the 13th. /Just Entertainment[THE FACT|Reporter Kim Saet-byeol] For actor Seo Hyun-woo, acting is a safe playground and a stage that requires constant challenge. It is a space where he can fully showcase what he does best, yet it is also a place where he must overcome his limits through new roles without settling for familiar acting. This is why he continues to set difficult tasks for himself with each project and solve them one by one, a so-called 'stamp-breaking' challenge. 'Welcome to the Class of Lotto Winners' was another challenge for Seo Hyun-woo and a project that allowed him to grow as an actor.Seo Hyun-woo recently met with at a cafe in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, for an interview commemorating the end of the TVING original drama 'Welcome to the Class of Lotto Winners' (written and directed by Yoon Young-bin). Playing the role of Yang Jun-ho, the deputy head of Sales Team 5, he shared various stories about the project and his character.'Welcome to the Class of Lotto Winners' tells the story of Gong Eun-tae, the team leader of Sales Team 5, who was just getting by day by day, winning the lottery but heading to work instead of resigning. It is based on a web novel of the same name and concluded with its 10th episode on the 13th.Seo Hyun-woo, met about 10 days after the finale, said, "I'm having a happy time receiving so much love," and added, "The atmosphere on set was so good, and it's amazing that the final product turned out so well. Director Yoon Young-bin directed it brilliantly, so I, as a viewer, objectively found the work to be interesting."Seo Hyun-woo played the role of Yang Jun-ho, the deputy head of Sales Team 5, who clashes with Gong Eun-tae at every turn. He is a character who focuses his dissatisfaction with the organization on the team leader alone, initially confronting him but gradually becoming Gong Eun-tae's supporter.Seo Hyun-woo did not interpret Yang Jun-ho's emotions as mere rebellion or hostility. What he considered important was the feelings of a character who did not feel a sense of belonging within the organization. Seo Hyun-woo explained, "Yang Jun-ho doesn't have problems with interpersonal relationships or work performance. However, there was a clear point of contention with the team leader," adding, "I thought that if I expressed it as being sulky and upset rather than trying to punish someone from the start, it would be possible to become a team again later."He continued, "It's important to feel a sense of belonging in a work environment where people work like family, but Yang Jun-ho didn't feel that, so he seemed sulky. He was also passed over for promotion and had a younger superior, so he had justifiable confidence," adding, "He might have considered changing jobs at first. But once the point of contention with the team leader was resolved, he became a stronger supporter than anyone else."Adding the unique fantasy of the work to the realistic depiction of a corporate employee was also a point of consideration in creating Yang Jun-ho. One such scene was when he muttered a curse under his breath while being scolded by Gong Eun-tae. Seo Hyun-woo consulted with friends who were actually working, and they told him that it's rare for people to curse that much in front of their superiors in real life. However, he thought that this very point could provide vicarious satisfaction within the work."I thought the scene where he muttered a curse under his breath after being scolded by Team Leader Gong Eun-tae was a realistic aspect of Yang Jun-ho. In real work life, people wouldn't go that far, but there's also the fantasy and vicarious satisfaction that can be provided within the work. I tried to be bold with comedy in the imaginary scenes while finding the right balance between seriousness and humor in the realistic scenes."Actor Seo Hyun-woo received critical acclaim for his role as Yang Jun-ho in the TVING series 'Welcome to the Class of Lotto Winners,' delicately portraying his transformation from an antagonist to a supporter of the protagonist. /TVINGThe project was completed through the chemistry of the actors and the direction that utilized it appropriately. Seo Hyun-woo described director Yoon Young-bin as someone who helps actors fully utilize their strengths. While rehearsals were conducted faithfully to the script, ad-libs and on-set ideas were also welcomed, and scenes that actors did not anticipate were created.Seo Hyun-woo recalled, "The director meticulously researched camera angles and mise-en-scène. There were many moments on set that I marveled at." He added, "When the actors came up with ideas, the director found the appropriate tone among them. Rather than coming up with ideas myself, I think I contributed to the director's well-executed worldview," he said with a laugh.He also expressed his affection for his fellow actors. He shared a special bond with Lee Jun-hyuk, who played Gong Eun-tae, both on and off set. Seo Hyun-woo said he was "at a loss for words" after reading an interview where Lee Jun-hyuk expressed his gratitude towards him. He stated, "From the moment we first met, we shared the same values regarding approaching our work. Actor Lee Jun-hyuk has a broad perspective that comes from someone who has experienced various projects and roles," adding, "On set, we took care of the junior actors and staff like a married couple. Actor Lee Jun-hyuk thanks me, but I think Lee Jun-hyuk is the one who paved the way for me to be able to do that.""When my filming was over, Jun-hyuk would run from afar and say, 'Hyung, your acting was great today. Good job,' and hug me. I think this is the first time I've hugged a male actor so much while filming. (Laughs) There was a silent communication, like we could understand each other just by looking into each other's eyes. Because we were grateful to each other, we could express those feelings. Just as Jun-hyuk said, I want to treat him to endless meals now that I'm doing well."He also did not forget to mention his collaboration with the junior actors who formed Sales Team 5 with him. In particular, senior actors like Seo Hyun-woo and Lee Jun-hyuk would share their lines with actors who didn't have any dialogue or brainstorm ways to make the scenes richer. Seo Hyun-woo said, "We all thought about how to make the scene richer, rather than who had more lines. Although they were junior actors, we actually received a lot of positive influence from them."Actor Seo Hyun-woo mentioned Lee Jun-hyuk and his fellow actors with whom he collaborated on the TVING series 'Welcome to the Class of Lotto Winners.' /TVINGHe also reflected on his past as an actor. His days as an unknown actor, when he felt no one recognized him through theater and independent films, shared a similar resonance with Yang Jun-ho's emotions, even if not exactly the same.Seo Hyun-woo said, "There were times when I felt fulfilled and wanted to showcase my acting brilliantly in front of someone, but it felt like the world didn't recognize me. It would be a lie to say I never felt frustrated," adding, "Fortunately, I had many colleagues around me who didn't give up. I spent my unknown days with fellow actors like Byun Yo-han, Lee Hyun-wook, Lee Dong-hwi, Ryu Jun-yeol, Lee Sang-hee, and Kim Joon-han, and we encouraged each other."For him, a project is like a lottery in life. Seo Hyun-woo said, "There are times when meeting people feels like a lottery, and there are times when encountering a project feels like a lottery," adding, "Projects that have made me grow more feel like the lottery of my life. 'Flower of Evil,' 'The Man Standing Next,' and 'Decision to Leave' were opportunities for me to clearly show my color as an actor. They are the strength and nourishment that allow me to work to this day."His criteria for choosing new projects also lie in growth. For Seo Hyun-woo, acting is a 'safe playground' where he can fully exert his capabilities. However, he doesn't want to repeat the same methods within it. Rather than repeating roles he can already do well, he chooses to meet difficult and unfamiliar characters to test how far he can express himself. On the other hand, he also worries that repeating familiar roles could lead to stagnation in his acting. Therefore, 'stamp breaking,' where he faces and overcomes new challenges with each project, is his way of continuing his acting career.He said, "I increasingly prefer roles with higher difficulty. I want to learn and grow by successfully portraying characters that seem difficult," adding, "If I get engrossed in a character I've previously gained favor with, I might only look for roles with a similar tone next time. Then, wouldn't I stagnate? I also find it difficult to feel enjoyment if I repeat the same kind of acting myself."Actor Seo Hyun-woo met with and conducted an interview regarding the TVING series 'Welcome to the Class of Lotto Winners,' which concluded on the 13th. /Just EntertainmentHis appearance in several projects this year, including special appearances, is also linked to his thirst for acting. Seo Hyun-woo pointed out that special appearances are actually more challenging tasks. This is because he has to play a role that influences the plot within a short period and then exit.In his next project, 'Gift,' he will also make a special appearance as a character who brings trials to Kim Woo-bin. He hinted, "Although the role is not large in scale, it is an important one. It's a completely different character from Yang Jun-ho, so I had a good experience. I even got to stand on an actual baseball mound and go into the dugout."What was particularly impressive in Seo Hyun-woo's answer was the statement, "There are no promotions in the acting profession." He thought that moving from minor roles to supporting and then leading roles would make things progressively easier, but he has to practice again for each project to learn and naturally portray new professions and characters. The experience gained in one project can be a starting point for the next, but it doesn't substitute for the next challenge.Seo Hyun-woo said, "I thought it would be easier next time after working diligently on one project, but something new comes again. I have to practice and train to learn new professional fields and make them look natural," adding, "Before I know it, there are junior actors on set. Now, I also have to think about how to collaborate with them and what kind of responsible image to show them."The genre he wants to challenge someday is melodrama. Seo Hyun-woo said, "I want to do an adult melodrama where emotions deeply fluctuate, rather than focusing on elaborate mise-en-scène or technical acting," adding, "I really want to do an emotional and psychological melodrama where emotions like longing, tenderness, and regret are clear, even without much direct physical contact with the female lead.""Through this project, I got a real taste of being a corporate employee. I want to say that real office workers are truly amazing and respectable. I want to offer comfort to those who are struggling and coming to work every day, contemplating conflicts and choices in their company life. I will also strive to be a little bit of strength by showing my diligent activities."[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]sstar1204@tf.co.kr
