[Interview] The Boldest, Most Unconventional Attempt of His Career, 'Wild Sing' Kang Dong-won②

▶Actor Kang Dong-won's interview on 〈Wild Thing〉 continues from Part 1.

〈Wild Sing〉's Hyun-woo sees the 'headspin' as the symbol of a dream he can never give up; if Kang Dong-won has a dream like that, what is it?

I just want to be the best actor in the world; simply put, that's all there is. It's a dream. That's my headspin.

〈Wild Sing〉's Hyun-woo is a shabby, scraping-by everyman whose recognition has faded over time. For an actor like Kang Dong-won, who has largely held a top position since his debut, this character's emotional arc might have felt unfamiliar.

I think overall I've gradually trended upward, but there were still fluctuations within that. Saying "trended upward" sounds pretty funny, though (laugh). I don't think I've ever strayed from the 200-day moving average, but I might've hovered around the 50-day moving average a bit. From the very start of my career I acted with the thought, "Someday I'll be forgotten." Ever since 〈Temptation of Wolves〉 did well. It's lasted longer than I expected. Still, one day I'll be forgotten.

You still think you'll be forgotten, then.

Of course. Calls could decrease, work could gradually dry up, that day will inevitably come. And as a person, one day you'll be forgotten—people will wonder, "Was there such a person?"

In 〈Wild Sing〉 there's the line, "There are only three chances in life? That's too few." Given your past experiences, that line must have resonated even more.

It's my favorite line. It's a line that really hits home for everyone, and in the film I truly vent my frustration. If you compare it to filmmaking, it's like only getting three takes. I always think you can't strike out three times; you can't take three strikes in a row. Two strikes are dangerous too, and if you take one strike, then next time you absolutely have to get on base.

Then what was the first chance in your life?

Being born is the first chance. In terms of work, becoming an actor was my first opportunity. Fortunately the first chance went well, but I hope to make the most of the second and third chances if they come. First of all, I hope this film does well.

Looking at Kang Dong-won, he seems like a natural. But from this interview I felt he is actually a very hardworking actor. Aren't you disappointed that people don't recognize that?

No, it doesn't matter. There's no need for people to know about my efforts; they only need to see the end result. What does it matter that I practiced dancing for five months and learned to do the headspin? It doesn't matter if people think, "He was born able to do headspins"—as long as it's funny. I used to wonder why people didn't notice, but I realized as an audience member you can't know. It's just fortunate that people say anything, good or bad.

Actor Kang Dong-won is known to be so devoted to the film world that he hosted 'Kang Dong-won's Night' at the Busan International Film Festival.

To clear up misunderstandings about "Kang Dong-won's Night": I hadn't been going to the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) for a while, then I went and some acquaintances from abroad said they'd come. So I borrowed a bar from a younger acquaintance. I thought maybe about twenty people would show up and asked if I could rent it. Then senior Lee Byung-hun called and asked, "Are you having a party?" I told him it wasn't really a party, but that I had rented a bar. When I arrived, he was actually there first (laugh). Word spread and a few hundred people came; it grew. When guests are coming, you can't tell them not to come. The next morning I woke up and saw headlines saying "Kang Dong-won's Night" was a great success (laugh). Since it happened that way, the next year we rented the same place again.

I've heard that when you're not filming you mainly go to the U.S. to meet with various industry figures. News of Kang Dong-won's move into Hollywood has been circulating for quite some time.

I'd love to do overseas projects if possible. Simply put, I want to work with talented people around the world. People have been hearing about my move overseas for a long time. The delay in going abroad might be because I'm still looking for something I like, but more than that it's because I don't have recognition. In the U.S. they prioritize people with name recognition; no one there knows me. I used to hope someone would cast me, but now I'm more in a mindset of just creating the opportunity myself.

You're also very interested in producing. Has that changed how you see other actors?

That's why lately I've been trying to be very kind to other actors with a producer's mindset (laugh). Someday they'll have to appear in my projects (laugh). I tell them, "Please be sure to appear in my next film."