[On The Record] Lee Seon-gyun: "Feel Free to Enjoy 'Killing Romance'"

Interview with Jonathan, the character in the movie 'Killing Romance'

Long hair and smoky transformation even ignored by family
"It's good" ad-lib inspired during physical therapy

Actor Lee Seon-gyun Photo by Lotte Entertainment

The pure-hearted romantic who once wore a neat suit and shouted 'Bonggole Hana' is gone. Actor Lee Sun-kyun (48) has returned as a wealthy man with thick eyeliner and a mustache, exclaiming "It's good." He gained attention as the lead in "Parasite," which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and four Oscars. Naturally, interest turned to his next move, and he accepted the comedy film "Killing Romance" as his next project. I was curious. What made him turn to comedy?

Recently, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Lee Sun-kyun recalled, "I wondered why director Lee Won-seok gave me the script for 'Killing Romance.' On my way to the U.S. to attend the 'Parasite' Academy Awards ceremony, I met the director to refuse the offer."

Lee said, "'Killing Romance' script was really fun. I laughed a lot while reading it, but I felt burdened because Jonathan seemed to have to do a lot. If a strong character actor played it, the variations would be easier, so I wondered why it was me. When I met the director, he persuaded me, saying, 'No, you can do it.' I fell for his lip service," he laughed.

He added, "Now, the director and I have become close like older and younger brothers, but back then, we weren't that close. I enjoyed the director's previous work, 'Man's Manual' (2013). It was unique and impressive. I expected synergy between the director and me as an actor. When Lee Ha-nee joined, there was no reason not to do it."

'Killing Romance' Appeared Like Fate

Actor Lee Seon-gyun Photo by Lotte Entertainment

In February 2020, "Parasite" (directed by Bong Joon-ho) won four awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, at the 92nd Academy Awards. Afterward, at an after-party held at a venue in Los Angeles (LA), Lee Sun-kyun happened to meet Lee Ha-nee. Recalling the moment, Lee said, "Lee Ha-nee asked me, 'Are you really going to do Killing Romance?' I replied, 'If you do it, I will.' Then Ha-nee said, 'If oppa does it, I will too.' So, 'Killing Romance' came to us like fate."

"I tend to believe in fate. Today, I went to a restaurant for lunch, and on a napkin, it was written, 'Virtue is sharing with others.' It reminded me of a scene from the movie, so I took a photo and posted it in our chat room (laughs). Passing by a cheonggukjang (fermented soybean paste stew) restaurant, I saw people waiting. Cheonggukjang also appears in the movie. I thought maybe good energy was coming our way."

The film is a comedy that presents itself as a fairy tale for adults. Jonathan is a character free from dramatic plausibility. Lee said he felt free while acting. "Until now, I played roles that carried the movie, but this time, the character was exaggerated and unrealistic, so I could do whatever I wanted. I did as I pleased, and it was fun," he said.

He continued, "I treated the director more like an older brother than just a director-actor relationship, so I felt freer. I could talk without hesitation, so the set was enjoyable. The catchphrase 'It's good' was ad-libbed. One day, I had a herniated disc and went to the hospital for manual therapy. The therapist, who had lived abroad, said 'Good, good. It's good' during the treatment. It was funny, so I immediately brought it into the role. I played well according to the given situation."

To express Jonathan's striking appearance, Lee attached hair and wore heavy makeup. He laughed, saying that his wife, actress Jeon Hye-jin, and their two sons turned their backs on him because of his ridiculous look.

"We considered 5 to 6 hairstyles for Jonathan. The style was fixed a month before shooting, so I attached the hair in advance. I wanted it to look real, not like a wig. I wore the long hair style for four months, including filming. I went anywhere comfortably with that hair. But my family ignored me by the Han River. They pretended not to know me (laughs). I also wore thick eyeliner, and after filming ended, I felt empty every time I looked in the mirror."

Reserved for a Million Memes... Will It Captivate the 10-20 Audience?

'Killing Romance' stills
[Photo by Lotte Entertainment]

Director Lee Won-seok's previous work, "Man's Manual," is regarded as a film ahead of its time. If that film were released now, it would have generated a million memes (images or pictures circulated on the internet). In this context, expectations for "Killing Romance" are high.

Lee Sun-kyun said, "I hope the audience plays freely with the movie. Please actively use it." He added, "Recently, YouTube content has gained more interest and consumption than terrestrial TV or variety shows, so secondary characters or scientific characters are gaining popularity. In this era, I think 'Killing Romance' will comfortably approach young audiences."

Watching his two sons, a second-year middle schooler and a sixth grader, he feels the changing content consumption environment even more. Lee said, "My kids don't watch TV much. They only watch YouTube. The promotional environment has changed too. When I said I was going to appear on the YouTube channel 'Pisik University,' they asked, 'Dad, how can you go on that?'" he laughed. He continued, "Platform expansion is good for consumers, but I hope young people feel the fun of watching movies and the feeling of traveling in a theater, which is a different space."

"Please don't say 'What are these guys?' at the absurd developments and excessive characters of 'Killing Romance.' Just open your heart for 20 minutes and watch. You'll find it very fun. As Lee Ha-nee, Gong Myung, and I start to harmonize, the movie flows more entertainingly. After the VIP premiere, fellow filmmakers said it was good. I know whether that's genuine or not. Recently, after a screening, the atmosphere was really good. Industry people blessed us, saying, 'A unique Korean film has been born after a long time.'"

He did not hide his concerns about the box office. Lee confessed, "Of course, I feel pressure about the results." He added, "The growth of Korean cinema so far is thanks to the love of the audience." He continued, "After the COVID-19 pandemic, online video services (OTT) have risen, and short-form content has emerged, weakening the endurance for specific media. Short videos and stimulating content are favored. Young audiences not going to theaters is partly due to increased ticket prices, but also because other living costs have risen. I will work hard to repay with good works."

Open to Variety Shows, Feels Like Receiving a Gift

Actor Lee Seon-gyun [Photo by Lotte Entertainment]

Until recently, Lee Sun-kyun was an actor somewhat distant from variety shows. He revealed, "In the past, actors hesitated to appear on variety shows because they were worried about revealing their personal side. They weren't confident about having fun on air and felt pressure about personal skills." He added, "Recently, travel variety shows edit the participants' relaxed interactions well. You don't have to worry. The broadcast itself feels like a gift. It’s like receiving an album, which is fun."

Lee Sun-kyun recently appeared on the tvN variety show "Very Private Southeast Asia" alongside director Jang Hang-jun and actors Kim Do-hyun and Kim Nam-hee. Following the Cambodia episode currently airing, a Thailand travel story will be featured. He expressed confidence, saying, "Ten days after returning from Cambodia, I left for Thailand. The Thailand story will be fun too." He added, "After one trip, we became close, so the Thailand trip was even more enjoyable."

"Among people I know, the funniest are directors Jang Hang-jun and Lee Won-seok. I suggested to the production team that Jang Hang-jun hyung join the trip. 'Rebound' (directed by Jang Hang-jun) had already secured distribution, so he promised to help promote the film as much as possible. But when we went to the second destination, Thailand, suddenly the distribution for 'Killing Romance' was confirmed. From then on, competition began. I think a fierce rivalry will unfold on the show (laughs). Both in theaters and Korean cinema, since we are going through a slump, we support each other. I also took my kids to see 'Rebound.' I hope both films do well and signal the revival of movie theaters."

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