[Limelight] "Breaking Up with Acting Mannerism and Decision to Leave"

Movie 'Decision to Leave' Park Hae-il plays detective investigating death case
Engages in strange emotions after meeting victim's wife
"Felt like I learned something from director Park Chan-wook"
Confirmed potential for freshness and originality despite appearing in over forty films

Detective Jang Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) fiddles with the deceased's smartphone in the autopsy room. He traces lines here and there with his index finger, trying to unlock the pattern. A woman who seems to know the answer arrives. "I'm Song Seo-rae (Tang Wei), the wife of Ki Do-su (Yoo Seung-mok). I'm Chinese, so my Korean is limited." "You must be very shocked."

Song Seo-rae shakes her head without taking her eyes off the body. "I was worried when he went to the mountain and didn't come back. Finally... I feared he might die." "Finally... You speak Korean better than I do?" Song Seo-rae turns her gaze to Jang Hae-jun. The two silently stare at each other for a long moment.

In the film Decision to Leave, there is no trace of sadness or distress in Song Seo-rae. She remains consistently upright and resolute like a steel rod. Her eyes are filled with determination. Captivated by her charm, Jang Hae-jun's mind goes blank. The deeper his suspicion grows, the more intense his interest becomes. The love that sprouts is strong enough to cure his chronic insomnia. It grants both excitement and vitality, making it hard to escape. Like a deer caught in a trap, his whole body struggles. Even when he decides to part ways, the same happens. The enchanting aura invades again, tightening every nerve. "Am I really that easy?" "Am I really that bad?"

Actor Park Hae-il portrays Jang Hae-jun's heart as damp and gloomy. Sometimes it is faintly obscured by fog. When the droplets clear, a complex mix of emotions is revealed. Before meeting Song Seo-rae, he was cold and rational. As he becomes emotionally shaken, his face softens. Even a dependent tendency emerges. After parting with Song Seo-rae, he resembles a withered blade of grass. Hollow eyes and gaunt cheeks. Even his smile is dry and lonely. He takes on a new murder case to regain his beastly nature. But in front of Song Seo-rae, whom he meets again, the wall of reason crumbles weakly. Like a sandcastle built by the sea. In an interview with Asia Economy, Park Hae-il reflected as follows.

"During the process of completing the script, it seemed that characteristics of the roles I had played before were subtly reflected. It was interesting because it was presented fluidly without any special point. Honestly, when Director Park Chan-wook first explained Jang Hae-jun, I didn't fully understand. I just tried to follow relying on experience. But I didn't completely exclude subjective interpretation. I wanted to make good use of the feelings of love that someone my age can feel. I was worried it might not blend well, but fortunately, it seems to have turned out fine."

The highlight is the midwinter scene on Homisan Mountain where he kisses Song Seo-rae. The faint mist that surrounded them is nowhere to be seen. Rather thick snowflakes fall fiercely enough to awaken the senses. Jang Hae-jun straightforwardly expresses his feelings and confirms his love. On the way home, no snowflakes are visible. Only a thick fog fills the air. Jang Hae-jun asks his wife Jeong-an (Lee Jung-hyun), "Did it not snow here?"

Park Hae-il brings a duality to the interpretation with a doubtful expression. Director Park Chan-wook described it as "the moment when dream and reality become ambiguous." "Hae-il acted so that his visit to Homisan could be mistaken for a dream. It's like the expression of someone trying to recall, 'Did I really kiss Seo-rae?' But from another perspective, the conversation with Jeong-an in the fog also feels like a dream. The beginning of Decision to Leave is the song 'Fog' by Jeong Hoon-hee, specifically the lyrics 'Open your eyes in the fog.' Hae-il expressed well the desperate effort to face reality and inner emotions squarely."

The flexible expression also stands out in the language barrier scenes that Director Park often showcases. Since Song Seo-rae is set as a Chinese woman, much effort is put into creating irony through this. For example, lines like "Please bring me the kind detective's heart." The translation app converts the Chinese word for 'mind' into the Korean word for 'heart,' intensifying Jang Hae-jun's confusion. The tension, rhythm, and wit in this meticulously calculated setup are the actors' responsibility. Park Hae-il said, "I thought of it as a process of feeling a sense of affinity with Song Seo-rae and acted accordingly."

"Song Seo-rae often uses literary language. I thought Jang Hae-jun needed to emphasize that refined feeling to bring out the contradictory atmosphere. So I tried to speak slowly and clearly for easy understanding. I also maintained a kind tone as if teaching Korean to a foreigner. Tang Wei's linguistic sense is exceptional, so it was done smoothly. She learns Korean quickly and has excellent instantaneous sense and judgment. Especially her wit in expressing frustrating emotions before words is superb. Even when speaking the same language, misunderstandings naturally occur, and I think this difference adds unique fun. It's amazing to see this unfold in a detective drama. From the first time I read the script, it felt extraordinary. It wasn't just a sketch for filming. It was an independent work. I wanted to bring out the flavor of every single line more than ever."

Park Hae-il regards this unique experience as a lifelong asset. He has already reflected on himself and set a new milestone. Mannerism and Decision to Leave. Even after appearing in over forty films, he confirmed the possibility of capturing freshness and originality. Filled with anticipation, he repeatedly smiled like a child.

"When filming approached, I used to think, 'Let's get through this well again.' Looking back over time, it was mannerism. I don't know how many times I pulled myself out of the mire on my own. That repetitive flow changed when I met Director Park Chan-wook. It feels like inheriting the secrets of a master filmmaker. I will remember and save it to use well. For a better me."

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