[TF Interview] Kang Yoo-seok in 'Final Interview', a New Face Carved on the Screen

Playing the role of mediator Lee Hee-chan, who has a unique sense of humor and friendliness"It was a fun project because I could show a side of myself I hadn't shown before."Actor Kang Yu-seok had an interview related to the release of the movie 'Final Interview'. /NEW[THE FACT|Reporter Park Ji-yoon] For actor Kang Yu-seok, 'Final Interview' held a meaningful significance as his first leading role in a commercial film, and it was a precious opportunity to fully demonstrate his acting potential with a new face he hadn't shown before. It also served as an opportunity to prove his expanded spectrum as an actor and clearly imprint his presence on the screen.Kang Yu-seok had an interview with at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, the day before the release of the movie 'Final Interview' (directed by Kim Jeong-hoon). He took on the role of Lee Hee-chan, a natural mediator who embraces the awkward atmosphere of the interview room with his unique sense of humor and friendliness, challenging himself as the lead in a commercial film.'Final Interview,' released in theaters on the 4th, is a story about six applicants gathered for a final interview who discover mysterious envelopes containing their personal revelations, leading them to suspect each other and fall into confusion. It is based on the novel 'Six Liars' University Students' by Akina Asakura.Kang Yu-seok delivered a passionate performance as Lee Hee-chan, a natural mediator who embraces the awkward interview room atmosphere with his unique sense of humor and friendliness. /NEWKang Yu-seok was drawn to the immersive and exciting script, and then to the character of Lee Hee-chan, who allowed him to act with depth. He said, "The process of finding the culprit is twisted two or three times, which made it more fun. And Lee Hee-chan is a character with a big twist who shows the duality of the movie the most, so I really wanted to play him," revealing his reasons for deciding to appear.Lee Hee-chan, who desperately wants to get the job more than anyone else but hides his impatience behind a smile, is a character who remains calm even in a situation where he has to choose only one successful candidate. Kang Yu-seok incorporated his unique friendliness into the work, brightening the atmosphere, and as the character holding the key to the twist, he revealed his hidden true self in the latter half and delicately built up his inner changes, increasing the immersion of the play."When I first started acting, I was told, 'There's good and evil in your face.' I've only played bright and kind characters so far, but this time it was so much fun because I could show a side of myself I hadn't shown before. It's better for an actor to show various sides."Of course, he couldn't immediately understand Lee Hee-chan's choice to destroy his competitors and himself due to his inferiority complex. To do this, he constantly approached the character's narrative of seeing himself as a failure for not being able to take responsibility for his family until the end, even while failing interviews more than twenty times, and had many conversations with director Kim."Since I've never had this kind of experience, it took a very long time to understand Lee Hee-chan's emotional line. At first, I thought, 'Is it worth going this far?' But then I realized that the feeling of hating someone so much and wanting to kill them ultimately starts from something trivial. I saw it as finding a new object of hatred after hating oneself."Kang Yu-seok revealed his reason for choosing the project, saying, "Lee Hee-chan is a character with a twist who shows the duality of the movie the most, so I really wanted to play him." /NEW'Final Interview' has built a lineup of rising stars in Chungmuro, including actors Jo Yi-hyun Kim Jaewon Shin Seung-ho, Kang Dong-yeon, and Bae Kang-hee, led by Kang Yu-seok, captivating audiences with their fresh synergy. Kang Yu-seok, who had been in the position of junior or youngest on previous sets, became the early mood-maker as the eldest this time, and gained new learning by becoming friends beyond colleagues."I went to an all-boys middle and high school, but I imagine it would feel like this if I went to a co-ed school. Over time, trust was built, and when we were shooting and breathing together, it was no different than when I worked with brilliant seniors. They acted fiercely and truthfully. I felt my acting improve by breathing in the same space with them. It also felt like doing theater by breathing together with friends my age for a long time. It was a rare experience."The six job seekers fiercely preparing for and debating interviews to get hired by the company reminded Kang Yu-seok of his past days, when he constantly auditioned to land even minor roles. He confessed, "There were times when I was frustrated, thinking that acting might not be a profession for me," and calmly reflected on the time he spent overcoming such periods and the experiences he had."I failed auditions more than 200 times. I even cried on my way to the salon. I told myself, 'It's okay. I'll do better next time,' but the accumulated damage festered in my heart. It was so difficult that I took a break for 3-4 months and thought, 'What did I do wrong? What should I fix?' After that, I started getting auditions. I'm so moved that the moment has come for me to film a movie and do interviews like this."Kang Yu-seok also found his own know-how through this process. He added, "It's important to just be myself rather than trying to do something. I always tried to show that I was working harder while telling myself it was okay, but this actually hid my charm and only conveyed my eagerness. I realized the importance of existing as myself."Kang Yu-seok said, "I don't have a special trick. It's tiring sometimes, but since I'm doing what I wanted to do, I'm working hard without any special methods." /NEWAlthough he has now firmly imprinted his presence on the public and is in a position to receive casting offers rather than auditioning, Kang Yu-seok remains humble and has not lost his thirst for acting. Instead of settling for the familiar path, he confronts each project head-on and steadily expands his own acting world."I don't have a special trick. I just work hard with a straightforward approach. Of course, there are tiring days and moments when I slack off, but since I'm doing what I wanted to do, I'm working hard without any special methods. I read the script a lot and spend a lot of time with the director to portray the characters given to me as realistically as possible. I also strive to be an actor who expresses characters more three-dimensionally than the writer's expectations."This year, Kang Yu-seok successfully expanded his range of activities by challenging himself in the variety show tvN's 'Sister's Farm Direct Delivery 3' and presenting his first leading role in a commercial film, 'Final Interview.' Along with this, he has lined up upcoming dramas such as 'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store,' 'Human X Gumiho,' and 'Solo Leveling,' signaling a busy period of work."I worked hard on what I was offered this year, and since I've sown good seeds, I think I'll be able to meet you consistently next year. I want to tell myself that I lived this year really well. It was my first commercial film, and doing over 20 stage greetings was physically demanding. But I felt so good until I got home. I will work harder by receiving energy from the audience."jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]