[Interview] 'Pro' Kim Eui-sung's Principle: "Even Jokes on Set Must Be Careful, You Have to Earn Your Pay"

Kim Eui-sung / Photo by NEW

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "I am happiest when sitting on a chair on set."

Actor Kim Eui-sung said this, describing the appeal of being an actor. Although he is a veteran who has made acting his profession for over 30 years, he still finds acting the most fun and exciting.

In a video interview conducted on the morning of the 5th, Kim Eui-sung viewed "appearance fees not simply as material value but as a form of respect for the actor."

'Special Delivery' is a crime action film depicting a chase that unfolds when Eun-ha, a special delivery driver, gets caught up in an unexpected delivery accident. The film is set to be released on the 12th.

Kim Eui-sung plays Baek Sa-jang of Baekgang Industry, a special delivery company. Baek Sa-jang is a professional businessman who accepts any special delivery requests as long as they are profitable. He bickers with Eun-ha over profit distribution but throws himself into protecting her when she gets caught up in an unexpected incident.

On this day, Kim Eui-sung said, "I liked that the role was a lighter character in terms of weight. More than the role itself, I was drawn to the scenario where the female lead takes charge of the action."

He added, "There have been female action films before, but they mostly relied on imagination, whereas 'Special Delivery' has female characters that feel more tangible and relatable, which I liked."

Regarding Baek Sa-jang, Kim Eui-sung added, "He is not simply a good person; I found his sharp edge interesting."

Previously, Kim Eui-sung showed a strong presence by playing roles such as the ruthless Yong-seok in the film 'Assassination' and 'Train to Busan,' and the pro-Japanese collaborator Lee Wan-ik in the drama 'Mr. Sunshine.'

He laughed and said, "The roles available for male actors in my age group are mostly villains. Maybe because middle-aged men in society often behave badly, villain roles come my way a lot."

Kim Eui-sung said he was surprised by Song Sae-byeok’s acting, who plays Kyung-pil, a veteran detective and gangster.

"At first, I thought Song Sae-byeok might take the role somewhat loosely on set, but after watching the completed film at the preview, I learned a lot. I realized how solidly he built his character. I was amazed at how he used his unique slow speech as an aggressive weapon, and his approach to acting is remarkable. I want to applaud him a hundred times."

Park So-dam, who plays the protagonist Eun-ha, recently underwent thyroid papillary cancer surgery and was unable to participate in promoting 'Special Delivery.'

Kim Eui-sung said, "I am in contact with Park So-dam almost every day. She feels regretful about not being able to join the promotions. She is trying to do her part within the given circumstances," adding, "Although she had a major surgery, her progress is very good, and she is recovering well."

He began acting in a theater troupe in 1987 and gained recognition the following year with the film 'Success Era.' As a 34-year veteran actor, Kim Eui-sung said, "When choosing projects, I consider many factors, but how much they pay for my acting is also important. It’s not just about money but about respect for me."

He continued, "I want to be known as an actor who performs as much as he is paid. That way, I can continue to work more and more," he said with a smile.

"Acting is a truly attractive profession. I still enjoy going to the set. When I get there, there is a cloth chair, and the moment I sit on it is the happiest. It’s also a blessing to be paid well when you work hard. Even as I get older, I want to act more passionately as an actor."

Known for mingling casually with juniors, Kim Eui-sung said, "If they are the same age or younger, I treat them like friends, but I tend to be cautious with seniors."

He said, "I am in my late 50s and one of the oldest on set. Moreover, I am a male actor. I am one of the strongest among the strong. Even when I make sharp jokes, I try to be careful because I know that people might feel bad or shrink back."

When asked about his New Year’s wish for 2022, the Year of the Black Tiger (Im In Year), Kim Eui-sung chose the end of COVID-19. He said, "I want filmmakers to gather, bump shoulders, and chat excitedly. I hope the day when we can be together and laugh like before comes soon."

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