Interview: Rising Star Choi Hyun-wook of ‘Notes from the Last Row’ ②

※ This interview with 〈Notes from the Last Row〉 star Choi Hyun-wook continues from Part 1.

〈Notes from the Last Row〉 sets up Lee Gang’s decision to take revenge after an offhand remark from Heo Mun-o, whom he met at the orphanage as a child, becomes a wound. Some viewers say the emotional justification for that revenge feels a little weak. As an actor, how did you understand his motive for revenge?

When I read the script and imagined the situation, I thought that, having grown up without parents, the betrayal Lee Gang felt from the first adult he had ever opened up to sincerely would be far greater than people might think. So I felt it would be a sufficient driving force.

Interpretations also differ about the ambiguous affection scene between Heo Mun-o and his wife Hyun-sook (Jin Kyung). Did it actually happen, or was it a twisted fantasy born of Mun-o's jealousy? How did you decide on an approach while acting that scene?

I think the fact that interpretations differ is the correct answer, because it’s coming from Mun-o’s imagination. It could have happened, or it could not. When Mun-o comes home, the blanket is already tossed and Hyun-sook is fixing her makeup, so it’s a scenario his mind could easily conjure. Mun-o suffers many nightmares and is prone to vivid fantasies, so I thought it was likely his imagination.

I’m also curious about the behind-the-scenes of the ending scene. In the end Lee Gang returns to Heo Mun-o saying, “I have something I want to tell you.” How did you prepare for that moment?

At first, I played Lee Gang as someone who went there with slightly worse intentions — for example, coming because he was curious about Mun-o’s collapse. But ultimately I performed it as if Gang truly had a story he wanted to write. Choi Min-sik’s bust shot in that scene was truly tremendous; it left a deep impression on me.

It sounds like you put a great deal of thought into your performances and approach roles carefully. Have you ever thought about exactly what Lee Gang wanted to tell at the end?

I considered several possibilities. Maybe, after some time, Gang found someone else he wanted revenge on and visited Mun-o for that reason. Or maybe he really wanted to hear Mun-o’s lectures. Or perhaps he went back because he wanted to give Mun-o another chance — any of those could be true.

You attempted a striking transformation in this role, playing an odd, inscrutable character. What’s the secret to pulling that off?

I try a lot to see myself objectively. I also know that people aren’t limited to a single emotion, so I believe Gang could plausibly hold many different feelings at once. That multiplicity of emotion is part of what the work communicates. As an actor, I try to stay objective about myself and to bring out a range of emotions without shame.

You must have received a lot of performance advice acting alongside Choi Min-sik. Is there any advice that stuck with you?

He told me I need to see a lot and experience a lot. Go to musicals, travel — those kinds of experiences add layers that make your acting richer. I agreed completely; I think varied experiences help my work, so I was very grateful for that advice.

Looking back over Choi Hyun-wook’s filmography, what would you like 〈Notes from the Last Row〉 to mean for you?

I hope it becomes a label people attach to me. For a while I was known as the Choi Hyun-wook of 〈Weak Hero〉. I worked very hard on that part, and I hope people will look kindly on the role of Gang.

Lee Gang said he had something he truly wanted to tell. What is it that Choi Hyun-wook himself wants to tell?

It’s a very distant future idea, but like the film 〈Baram〉 (2009), telling the story of my life is on my bucket list. I’m not sure which period it would cover exactly, but perhaps from when I played baseball up until before I became an actor — something along those lines.

Then how would this moment appear in that film?

I’d like it to be used as a montage — a montage of moments toward the end of the film.

You briefly mentioned your baseball days. In your next project, 〈Greenlight〉, you’ll play a baseball player. That must feel meaningful.

We’re preparing now but haven’t started filming. I’m slowly getting my body ready. Playing a baseball player has been on my bucket list since I began acting, so I’m grateful to meet a good project.

Earlier you said you hope people look kindly on Gang. From the perspective of the actor who played him, what would you like to say to viewers?

A lot of people may hate him, but he’s someone who grew up in a heartbreaking environment from a young age. I hope people can hold a place in their hearts for a character like him and give him some affection. Like the “to be continued” at the end of Gang’s writing, I hope people will occasionally wonder where he is and what he’s doing.

A word to viewers looking forward to what Choi Hyun-wook does next.

There are many kinds of projects I haven’t tried yet, so if opportunities come I won’t hesitate to take them on. I want to challenge myself and return showing a new side of myself. To be continued.