[Interview] Lee Kwangsoo on Leaving 'Running Man' and Returning to His Main Career: "My Passion Remains the Same"

Movie 'Sinkhole'
Interview with Lee Kwang-soo

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] I remember him quietly swallowing dry saliva and sipping water. Unlike his lively image on variety shows, Lee Kwang-soo is a shy actor in real life. Every time we met before the movie release, he was nervous for different reasons. Meeting him again after two years, his nervousness was evident even through the monitor. He hunched his shoulders and smiled, saying, "I'm nervous about this new format of interview."

In a recent interview ahead of the release of the movie Sinkhole (directed by Kim Ji-hoon), Lee Kwang-soo said, "I am grateful to be releasing the film during the difficult times of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). Although promoting it during this period feels heavy, I want to convey a healthy energy through a movie that cheerfully depicts people overcoming disasters."

Sinkhole is a disaster blockbuster about a man whose newly purchased home, prepared after 11 years, falls into a massive sinkhole 500 meters underground. It is the new work by director Kim Ji-hoon, known for Tower (2012), released after 9 years. Since its release on the 11th, it has maintained the number one spot at the box office for six days, gaining popularity.

Lee Kwang-soo plays Deputy Manager Kim, a company employee who has given up on both home and love. Lacking confidence and luck, he is timid and too preoccupied with managing himself to care about appearing selfish to others. He falls into the sinkhole along with a villa during a housewarming party for his boss Dong-won (played by Kim Sung-kyun), who succeeded in buying his first home.

He shared, "Filming disaster scenes on a gimbal set was not easy. I suffered from severe motion sickness. There was a lot of mud and dust, so I cleaned my nose for the first time in my life. Fighting the cold in midwinter was also tough." He added, "During the water tank shoot, there was a strong fishy smell. It was a smell I never want to smell again, and I still remember it vividly," revealing the difficulties.

Having appeared in various works such as Tazza: One Eyed Jack (2019), My Special Brother (2018), and Detective: Returns, Lee Kwang-soo took on his first disaster film challenge with Sinkhole.

He said, "It's my first disaster movie, so I'm thankful to be part of a film with a unique subject. While filming, I realized the importance of harmony with fellow actors and the production team. In the past, I couldn't be as comfortable as with family, but thanks to senior actor Cha Seung-won, we got along very well this time. The chemistry with the actors was excellent."

He first gained recognition through a telecommunications company commercial in 2008 and made a mark the following year in the sitcom High Kick Through the Roof. Despite his cheerful appearance, his real personality is shy and quiet.

He confessed, "I'm not usually talkative, but I felt that people expect a certain image from me when they first meet me. They expect me to be honest and straightforward, so they get disappointed when they meet me. I used to feel stressed about that. Recently, as I get older, I feel more comfortable dealing with people. I'm gradually realizing that actions taken to appear polite can actually make others uncomfortable."

Previously, Lee Kwang-soo was loved for his comedic charm on the popular variety show Running Man, where he was active for over 10 years, as well as in numerous films and dramas. The public feels familiar with his cheerful face, a strength he fully demonstrates in Sinkhole.

"I tried hard not to look at my phone on set, and Director Kim Ji-hoon praised me a lot for that. Even when not filming, I tried to prepare. I enjoyed the feeling of working together while chatting. Thanks to the director's compliments, I felt encouraged and think he viewed me positively."

The scene where the taxi handle comes off was an unexpected event not in the script. Lee Kwang-soo recalled, "Kim Sung-kyun actually pulled off the taxi handle during acting. We looked at each other, momentarily surprised, but then continued acting. Once pulled, it can't be undone. If we weren't comfortable with each other, we might have been flustered and unable to respond, but because we were close, we exchanged it playfully and completed the scene. It remains memorable."

Lee Kwang-soo diligently ran on Running Man for 12 years since its first broadcast on July 11, 2010. Recently, he gave his final farewell. As an actor, he is determined to continue acting earnestly as before.

He said, "Some say I've returned to my main profession, but nothing has changed from before. My mindset is the same. I don't feel burdened or have any determination to show a different side. I hope that by doing my best as an actor on set for each project, people will view me positively."

Lee Kwang-soo met actress Lee Sun-bin as a cast member and guest on Running Man in September 2016 and confirmed their relationship in 2018. He shyly smiled, saying, "Like others, we're having a similar kind of relationship. We meet outside, share delicious food, and are doing well together."

Photo = Showbox

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