[TF Interview] Bae Hyun-sung, Firsts Carved with 'Paradise Lost'

Bae Hyun-sung, who plays Ryu Seon-woo, who returned to his mother after 9 years, makes his screen lead debut."'The Paradise of the End' will be a long-lasting memory and a cherished recollection."Actor Bae Hyun-sung held an interview regarding the release of the movie 'The Paradise of the End'. /CJ ENM[THE FACT|Reporter Park Ji-yoon] Actor Bae Hyun-sung has added a special line to his filmography: his first-ever leading role on the big screen. Along with this, he has proven his expanded acting spectrum and infinite potential, and has gained meaningful experience meeting audiences worldwide through renowned domestic and international film festivals. Through 'The Paradise of the End,' which has accumulated such unforgettable moments, we take a look at the new challenges and moments of change he has faced as he has grown further.Bae Hyun-sung, who is meeting audiences with the movie 'The Paradise of the End' (directed by Yeon Sang-ho), held an interview with on the 20th, the day before its release, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. As the lead actor playing Ryu Seon-woo, he expressed his excitement and nervousness about releasing his first-ever leading role on the big screen, which he will never forget, and shared various stories related to the film.'The Paradise of the End,' which was released on screen on the 21st, is a psychological thriller that begins when Ryu Seon-woo, who was presumed dead, miraculously returns to his mother, Ryu So-young (played by Kim Hyun-joo), who lost her son in a camping school bus disappearance incident 9 years ago. The film has been officially invited to the Special Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival and the Gala Presentations section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival.Bae Hyun-sung played the role of Ryu Seon-woo, a son who returned to his mother after 9 years, and delivered a passionate performance. /CJ ENMBae Hyun-sung first opened up about his feelings of meeting audiences through the unfamiliar big screen rather than the familiar TV. He said, "I am grateful to have participated as the lead in such a great film. I watched the movie in Toronto, and I still felt awkward seeing myself on the big screen. I plan to secretly go to the theater alone to watch it again after the release," he confessed honestly.Previously, Bae Hyun-sung made a special appearance in Netflix's 'Hellbound 2,' briefly working with director Yeon Sang-ho, and has now continued that connection in earnest. He, who has always liked director Yeon's works, said, "'The Paradise of the End's' dark and profound story was interesting," and added, "Also, through the charming character of Seon-woo, I felt a desire to take on the challenge because I thought I could show a completely different side of myself than what I've done so far."Ryu Seon-woo, the sole survivor of the camping school bus disappearance incident that shook the nation, is a character who returns to his mother after many years. However, he showed no trace of the innocent child that Ryu So-young remembered, and what he experienced during his lost time remains a mystery, raising questions for the viewers.Bae Hyun-sung, who played this role, completed a transformative visual appearance with a messy hairstyle and freckles, erasing his innocent and pure face, immediately capturing attention. This was imbued with his desire for the audience to think, "Is that Bae Hyun-sung?" while completely erasing his own appearance. To achieve this, he had numerous discussions with the makeup team and made extraordinary efforts, spending one to two hours on makeup each time.Bae Hyun-sung expressed his feelings about presenting his first-ever leading role on the big screen, saying, "I am grateful to have participated as the lead in such a great film." /CJ ENM"At first, I found my appearance unfamiliar, but as I gradually got used to it, it helped me express Seon-woo. The challenge was very fun. I met a character whose way of expression is very direct, and it was fun to express emotions and acting directly. It was also very fun to show a different side of myself than usual. Now, I think I can take on various characters more freely."Furthermore, Bae Hyun-sung shared that he had many conversations with director Yeon about Seon-woo's backstory, which allowed him to approach the character by understanding the complex inner world of the character, from resentment towards his mother for not looking for him to jealousy of AI having normal conversations. In this way, he creates a sense of coolness within his restrained demeanor with a languid tone that makes it difficult to read his emotions, completes his suspicious gaze with his unique glint, and consistently creates an uncomfortable atmosphere, injecting tension into the film."I tried to create that uncomfortable atmosphere every time Seon-woo appeared to make the audience doubt until the very end, 'Is he really her son?' I also wanted the actors I worked with to feel that atmosphere. I walked and acted slowly, blinked slowly, and didn't avoid the other person's eyes when speaking. I made them want to avoid my gaze first. I thought that if a person's actions were slow, they would pay more attention and interest, so I gave them that point."'The Paradise of the End' is director Yeon Sang-ho's second low-budget project, following 'The Face,' which captivated 1.08 million viewers with a production cost of approximately 200 million won. The net production cost was about 500 million won, and filming was completed in 14 takes. Although the schedule was compact, leaving little time to get close to co-star Kim Hyun-joo, Bae Hyun-sung found that this environment actually helped him immerse himself more in the character.Bae Hyun-sung said of 'The Paradise of the End,' "I think it will be a long-lasting memory because I went to various film festivals for the first time and showed a new side of myself as an actor." /CJ ENM"The filming period was short and intense, so it wasn't difficult to pour out my emotions. If we had acted out the uncomfortable relationship between mother and son for a longer period, it would have been more difficult for both of us. Also, if I had met the senior actor frequently and become close, it would have been detrimental to portraying So-young and Seon-woo. By pushing when needed and receiving when needed, the tension decreased, and I focused on the role without being preoccupied with the fact that she was a senior actor."Having firmly imprinted his presence on the new stage of the big screen, he plans to continuously reveal new faces through the TVING drama 'Mock Exam' to be released on November 23rd, the movie 'Taste of the Prison,' and the drama 'The High School Queen.'Bae Hyun-sung, who also instilled anticipation for his future endeavors, did not forget to encourage viewing, reiterating the special meaning of 'The Paradise of the End,' saying, "It will be a work that will be remembered for a long time and become a long-lasting memory.""If you don't let go of your suspicion towards Seon-woo until the end, and focus on the mother-son relationship, the narrative of the young Seon-woo and the older Seon-woo, and their emotions and conversations, you will be able to enjoy it more. It's a movie that sparks a lot of curiosity, and it would be even better to discuss your impressions and thoughts with each other after it ends."jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]