[Interview①] Yoojin "Ahn Sung-ki Fulfilled His Role by Winning the Baekgeum Award... Health Comes First"

Photo by Road Pictures

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actress Yoo Jin expressed concern upon hearing about Ahn Sung-ki's hospitalization.

On the morning of the 21st, Yoo Jin shared various stories about the film during an interview held at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of the release of the movie Paper Flower (director Ko Hoon).

Paper Flower is a film depicting the story of Seong-gil, a mortician living with his son who has mobility difficulties due to an accident, who meets a mother and daughter who move in next door and regains hope for life he had forgotten. The film gained domestic and international attention by winning the Platinum Award, equivalent to Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Actor at the 53rd Houston International Film Festival.

Regarding her return to the screen after 11 years with Paper Flower, Yoo Jin said, "It doesn't feel real," adding, "I didn't think it had been that long; I just thought I was doing a movie after a long time," with a smile.

Recalling her return not only to film but also to the filming set after a long time, Yoo Jin said, "The atmosphere was good, so I remember having fun and feeling comfortable during filming," and added, "I was happy just to be back at work. I thought, 'So this is a movie set.' The horror film I did before was a tougher shoot than a drama," reflecting on the special meaning.

When asked why she chose Paper Flower as her comeback work, Yoo Jin laughed and said, "It was a long time since I received a film offer, so I was glad." She continued, "The script was good. Although it deals with a heavy subject, it was portrayed beautifully without feeling heavy. It's a story that all of us have to face and might want to avoid, but it approached it beautifully and sincerely, so I wanted to try acting in it."

Yoo Jin nodded and said, "Above all, when senior actor Ahn Sung-ki said he would be in it with me, I just said 'Thank you' and accepted it wholeheartedly. I thought it was a great opportunity."

Veteran actor Ahn Sung-ki, with 63 years of experience, plays the mortician Seong-gil, anchoring Paper Flower, while Yoo Jin portrays Eun-sook, Seong-gil's neighbor who has hidden pain but lives positively, conveying warm energy.

"There is probably no one who doesn't know Ahn Sung-ki's acting. It felt very real. It happened naturally. It felt comfortable. I think just the fact that he makes you feel comfortable is a great consideration. This is why he is a great actor, and I felt he deserves everyone's respect."

Yoo Jin added, "At first, I couldn't believe I was acting with senior Ahn Sung-ki. While acting, I was captivated and amazed by his character. I found myself acting without tension without realizing it. I felt that the senior made that happen. It was a good experience. I felt I should become an actor and a person like him."

The cheerful atmosphere on the set is fully reflected in the work. Yoo Jin said, "The atmosphere was the best. I really felt like good people had gathered. There was never a loud voice or anyone getting annoyed on set."

"Even senior actor Ahn Sung-ki did not show any sense of alienation or authority. Working with him, I thought, 'So this is the kind of person he is, as expected.' He treated the actors like close friends and colleagues, which was nice. Although the budget was very small, the set felt rich. Snacks and refreshments kept coming. Many people supported us. I think it was because good people gathered."

Earlier, news of Ahn Sung-ki's hospitalization due to health reasons caused concern among many. Yoo Jin said, "I heard it was due to fatigue from filming," and asked, "He must not be very sick, right?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoo Jin shook her head and said, "Not at all during the film preparation." She added, "I am worried, but that's all I knew. Maybe it was just overwork." She continued, "I sent a message saying it must have been hard filming, and he replied that he was okay."

She added, "It would have been better if senior Ahn Sung-ki was here for the Paper Flower promotional activities, but I think he has already done enough by winning the Platinum Award."

Regarding releasing a film amid COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection), Yoo Jin said, "A different world has come. We can't go to theaters freely, but I think our country's quarantine measures are better than abroad," and cautiously continued, "It's hard to find someone not wearing a mask in the theater. If we follow the quarantine rules well, maybe we can gradually go to theaters."

Finally, Yoo Jin said, "The theme of hope fits well in this time. After watching, the film warms your heart, so you can laugh lightly, think, and it ends on a hopeful note. Please watch it comfortably."

Paper Flower opens on October 22.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.