[Interview①] Yoo Ah-in "A Challenge Giving Up Handsomeness, I Didn't Want to Be Consumed as a Tool"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Yoo Ah-in reflected on the unique meaning of transformation and challenge.

On the afternoon of the 17th, during an interview held at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, he shared various stories about the film '#Alive' (directed by Jo Il-hyung).

'#Alive' is a survival thriller depicting the story of people isolated alone in an apartment, cut off from data, Wi-Fi, text messages, and phone calls, as people with unexplained symptoms begin to attack and chaos ensues. It is adapted from the original screenplay by Hollywood writer Matt Naylor. Director Jo Il-hyung, an AFI (American Film Institute) graduate who has worked in the United States, took the helm.

Yoo Ah-in plays the survivor Jun-woo, who narrowly survives while avoiding mysterious entities. He realistically and vividly portrays the familiar and human side of an ordinary young man who could be around us, as well as the desperate and bleak situation of a character pushed to the extreme crisis. Yoo Ah-in, who has shown impressive acting and a distinctive presence in numerous works such as 'Veteran,' 'The Throne,' and 'Default,' takes on the genre film challenge for the first time through '#Alive.'

Fighting against unknown entities and zombies, Yoo Ah-in said, “I usually like absurd humor. I enjoyed 'Zombieland,' '28 Days Later,' and 'I Am Legend.' The setting where the protagonist carries the story alone until the middle and later parts is similar to 'I Am Legend.' It’s a film about living in dystopian despair, and there were plenty of reference points in terms of having the main character carry the story interestingly alone.”

Previously, Yoo Ah-in took on roles with intense energy in many works, but through '#Alive,' he reveals a new side with natural acting that is more relaxed. Yoo Ah-in said, “I lost my prejudice against genre films and gained enough composure to try something comfortably. Although it has the characteristics of a genre film, I felt it was not a work that consumes the actor. Some genre films treat actors like tools, but this film felt different. I wanted to do it because it strongly and stylishly drives the film genre-wise while the actor’s emotions play a significant role,” explaining his reason for appearing.

In '#Alive,' Yoo Ah-in focused on the raw emotions felt in the situation. Some scenes even reflected his ideas. He said, “During the process, I tried many first attempts. Before shooting the scene where I dance drunk, I recorded a practice video at home the day before and sent it. It wasn’t a requested scene, but since adjusting on set takes a long time, I showed it in advance. The script said, ‘Play music for about 10 minutes and dance an unknown wild dance,’ so I tried to be a bit more proactive. It was fun to create,” adding, “The director might have felt burdened, but I think he accepted it well.”

He continued, “Since I had to do a lot alone, I progressed more than planned in pre-production. I felt that pictures alone were insufficient and that I had a responsibility to pull the audience in more strongly. We were able to discuss and create on set. The unknown identity of the zombies was interesting, and their characteristics were fun. The elements reflecting the times were also fresh. I saw clear pros and cons as a genre film,” he said.

He also reflected, “Compared to other films, it’s light and relatively not serious, yet expressed in a diverse way. I gave up being handsome but it’s a character with many newly gained points.”

'#Alive' opens on June 24.

Photo=UAA

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