[On the Record] "I'm definitely getting exhausted" The dilemma of trending Son Seok-gu

Actor Son Seok-gu Interview

Netflix Series 'D.P.2' Captain Im Ji-seop Role
Captivated by the Conflicted Human Side
Life Experience Matters... Memorizing Lines While Walking in the City

Actor Son Seok-gu (40) is Son Seok-gu. This phrase best expresses what I felt while covering him. Son Seok-gu is currently on fire. Last year, he sparked the 'Chuang Syndrome' by portraying the alcoholic Mr. Gu in the drama My Liberation Notes. He then drew 10 million viewers to theaters as the villain Kang Hae-sang in the movie Crime City 2. His steadily built filmography has now exploded with potential. Through his delicate face shines a straight spirit. Female fans cheered for his captivating charm. When you turn on the TV, his face appears in various commercials. Now, there is no one who does not know his name.

Son Seok-gu [Photo by Netflix]

Recently, I met Son Seok-gu at a cafe on Bongeunsa-ro in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. He was honest. Without getting lost in his works and characters, he clearly knew what he wanted as an actor. He also did not hesitate to reveal himself as he is. He did not hide or embellish his thoughts while calculating how he might be perceived.

"Popularity? I feel it. Clearly, more people recognize me than before. My parents and company members say, 'How do people recognize you when you wear a hat and mask?' Since the public has seen me a lot, I guess they recognize me even from afar."

When asked about the public's expectations toward Son Seok-gu, he said this. Although many recognize him, Son Seok-gu enjoys walking around various parts of the city. He does not hesitate to walk with just a backpack.

He said, "Walking is important to expand life experiences." He added, "Even if I always go to the same convenience store, I try different routes or visit different convenience stores today. If I use navigation and move by car, my experiences become limited. Walking frequently activates the brain."

He said he sometimes memorizes lines while walking for 30 minutes to over an hour. He emphasized, "Great insights come from small experiences."

[Photo by Netflix]

The Netflix series D.P., released on August 27, 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, gained popularity by depicting the story of military deserter capture team (D.P.) members Ahn Jun-ho (played by Jung Hae-in) and Han Ho-yeol (played by Koo Kyo-hwan). It sharply highlighted violence and injustice within the military, creating a strong impact.

Due to its popularity, a sequel was quickly confirmed. In D.P. Season 2, released on the 28th of last month, Captain Lim Ji-seop, played by Son Seok-gu, has changed. The elite Lim, a graduate of the Korea Military Academy, forms a new axis by teaming up with Sergeant Park Beom-gu (played by Kim Sung-kyun). His role has also increased.

Son Seok-gu recalled, "Director Han Joon-hee said that if Season 2 were made, he wanted to tell a story through Lim Ji-seop. He said it would be good if the amplitude of change was large, and I agreed." He continued, "I was drawn to the human aspect of Lim's changes, which are not linear but wavering. I wanted to portray a human like a reed, not 'Day 1 of being reborn from today,' but someone who continues on afterward."

How did he view Lim's relationship with Sergeant Park Beom-gu? Son said, "Lim feels most comfortable with Sergeant Park. Sometimes a bad superior-subordinate relationship develops into a brotherly bond over a meal. I have many close older brothers in real life, and that resemblance is there. Because we are close, we speak freely and sometimes cross lines, which is exactly like me."

He cited the incident with Corporal Na Joon-seok (played by Lim Sung-jae) as the turning point for Lim's change. Son said, "Lim must have had many thoughts after learning the truth about his close friend Corporal Na, who led him into the military path."

Son Seok-gu continued to develop Lim Ji-seop through ongoing conversations with Director Han Joon-hee. He said, "We discussed who the villain in our drama is and agreed it is the 'system' or 'institution.' There's a line in the drama, 'Someone has to take responsibility.' It questions why young men come to the military. In a closed group, someone has to stay awake because everyone knows anyone can be a victim."

Son Seok-gu [Photo by Netflix]

Since debuting in the 2017 drama Sense8 Season 2, he is enjoying his best days. The label 'top actor' fits him perfectly. Son Seok-gu is thriving in every project he appears in, whether movies, dramas, or OTT platforms. What state is he in now? I asked if he ever feels drained or thirsty for more. He quietly nodded and continued.

"As someone in popular arts, I tend to enjoy life. My personal philosophy is, 'Before the public gets tired of me, I should get tired of myself first to stay ahead.' Recently, I have had many exposures and increased projects. I am definitely getting exhausted. I need to live a new life to show new sides through experience. I think it's time to live well as an individual, travel, make new friends, and take on challenging experiences."

Directors are also busy trying to catch the 'trend' Son Seok-gu. Putting aside the flood of scripts, he headed to the stage. He recently completed the play Army on the Tree. For the past four months, he performed on stage, interacting with the audience. In December 2021, he also challenged directing a short film through the short project Unframed.

Son said, "Doing theater helped me a lot in terms of acting." He added, "I felt a new mindset toward acting and technical aspects. It was very refreshing as an actor."

The path of 'director' Son Seok-gu is also anticipated. Among the four works released through the Unframed project, his directed piece Rebroadcast received the most positive response. He smiled happily, saying, "I want to direct quickly. It's really fun."

Setting directing his next work as a major goal, he said, "I am writing a script. Although it was just one experience, I want to do it again soon. The casting process itself is an art. It involves timing and relationship skills. I learned a lot as an actor. Though I still lack experience, I want to keep directing."

Son Seok-gu [Photo by Netflix]

Among viewers who remember the lingering impression of Mr. Gu, there are reactions wanting to see Son Seok-gu's romance again. Son was well aware of this. He expressed his willingness for romance acting through the words of My Liberation Notes director Kim Seok-yoon.

"I want to do romance before I get older. I will do it. (laughs) I am actually looking for it little by little. Director Kim Seok-yoon is a clear-minded person with a unique perspective, so I often consult him when making important decisions. He told me, 'I want to see you do melodrama.' But I can't force myself to do something that doesn't resonate with me, so I don't know when that will be."

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