ACTOR BYUN YO-HAN DESCRIBES FILM 'FOLLOWING' AS 'LIVELY THRILLER, EVEN HILARIOUS'
| ▲ Actor Byun Yo-han, starring upcoming film "Following," shows in this profile photo provided by Content Zio on May 9, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, May 9 (Yonhap) -- In the age of social media, modern individuals observe countless others, yet nobody truly understands them.
Opening on the 15th, the thriller "Following," directed by Kim Se-hwi, features the protagonist Jung Tae, played by Byun Yo-han.
Jung Tae, a real estate agent, harbors a pathological habit of secretly entering customers' homes while they are away, indulging in voyeuristic tendencies to peek into their private lives. With an incessant penchant for observing others, Jung Tae fails to form human connections such as friendships or love.
| ▲ A still photo of upcoming film "Following," provided by Moving Pictures Company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
The story unfolds as Jung Tae encounters Sora, an influencer who constantly exposes herself to others.
Speaking about his character Jung Tae, actor Byun Yo-han remarked, "There is an aspect of him that is closely linked to the rapidly changing world."
Regarding Jung Tae's obsession with peering into the lives of others and extracting various information, Byun explained, "It's because of a complex where he wants to feel superior to others."
Despite being a pathological character, Jung Tae is not entirely dark. His light-hearted and comical actions, along with his absurd self-absorption expressed through narration, sometimes evoke laughter.
"'Following' is a movie that is both lively and amusing. It's heavy yet light. I think that's the differentiating factor compared to typical thrillers," said Byun Yo-han.
| ▲ A still photo of upcoming film "Following," provided by Moving Pictures Company. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Byun took on the role of Jung Tae in "Following" right after filming Kim Han-min's "Hansan: Rising Dragon" (2022), where he portrayed the Japanese invader Wakisaka. Considering shedding weight for the role of Jung Tae, Byun decided against it as the production team felt that a somewhat robust physique suited Jung Tae's character better.
Similarly, Shin Hye-sun's character, Sora, is also pathological. She portrays a double-faced personality, living contrary to her online persona. Byun described Jung Tae and Sora as "like-minded spirits" with a laugh.
He praised Shin Hye-sun as a "very professional actor who puts in tremendous effort" and noted her delicate yet strong presence.
"Following" marks Kim's directorial debut. Byun praised Kim for his unwavering focus and ability to maintain control despite any chaos. He expressed joy whenever he sees talented rookie directors emerge.
The 15th, the release date of "Following," also marks the premiere of Byun Yo-han's starring Disney+ original series "Samshiki Samchon."
In this drama set in 1950s-1960s Korea, Byun plays an elite young man dreaming of a country where everyone eats well and lives well, acting alongside Song Kang-ho.
Reflecting on his simultaneous appearances in movies and dramas, Byun expressed gratitude, saying, "I'm very happy and grateful."
At 38, Byun still considers himself in a learning phase regarding acting, speculating that with age, his thoughts may become more organized, his decision-making quicker, and perhaps he might become a bit more detached. He believes that when that time comes, he may be able to create his own characters.
| ▲ A poster of film "Following," provided by Content Zio, Artist Studio and Moving Pictures on May 8, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |