▲This photo provided by Ace Maker Movie Works show actor Son Suk-gu. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL March 22 (Yonhap) -- "This film is like a mirror reflecting our society. Since it tells a story that resonates with people, I think audiences will feel like it's their own story when they watch it," said actor Son Suk-gu, who plays the lead role in the movie 'Troll Factory,' during an interview at a cafein Jongno-gu on the 22nd.

He added, "Especially for the MZ generation, who are awfully closely tied to online society, I think it will be entertaining and scary at the same time."

Directed by Ahn Gooc-jin, the film raises intense suspicions about whether someone is controlling the cyberspace where public opinion is formed in our society. It's a crime thriller.

Son Suk-gu plays Sang-jin, a social affairs reporter who is cornered by a public opinion manipulation force after writing an article exposing corruption in a large corporation.

Describing Sang-jin, Son Suk-gu said, "He's someone who thought he was in control of the steering wheel, but realizes that the car is heading where it wants to go." 

 

▲This photo shows scene from 'Troll Factory.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

Director Ahn casted Son for the role of Sang-jin even before he gained widespread attention through dramas like "My Liberation Notes" and movies like 'The Roundup.'

Initially feeling burdened by the thought, "Can I really be the lead?" Son Suk-gu eventually gained confidence in the director, believing that he was chosen not for his popularity but for his unique qualities.

He said, "I felt a lot of pressure to portray the role of a 'realistic' journalist. Journalism isn't a profession where you can take action like in an action movie. I thought the key would be in the details. Although the dialogue was quite extensive, I had to bring each line to life, which was quite challenging."

Before filming, Son Suk-gu met with real journalists to discuss their lives and watched documentaries about journalists to research how to portray the character. He also met with Jang Kang-myoung, the author of the original novel on which the film is based.

Unlike the typical journalists depicted in the media, Sang-jin is a character who is far from typical. He doesn't attack powerful figures out of a sense of justice, nor does he get involved in politics out of greed. He simply tries to recover from the disgrace of being labeled a 'fake journalist,' but the more he struggles, the deeper he falls into a conspiracy.

Son Suk-gu admitted that he, like Sang-jin, has a "personality that easily succumbs to pressure" and said, "I felt comfortable watching the movie because I felt like he was someone similar to me." 

 

▲This photo shows scene from 'Troll Factory.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

He said, "Characters with clearly defined good and evil sides can feel boring to watch. I want to hear people say that when Son Suk-gu plays a role where the line between good and evil is blurred, it becomes even more interesting."

He added, "I thought Sang-jin might come across as unlikeable in the movie. So, I thought about how to remedy that and decided to 'act like a cartoon.' I expressed his emotions in a way that the audience could read his expressions. Later, the director even said that Sang-jin was cute."

Since gaining public recognition with the drama "Be Melodramatic" in 2019, Son has been continuously appearing in both films and TV shows, including Netflix series like "D.P. 2" and "A Killer Paradox," Disney+ series like "Casino," and movies like "Nothing Serious" and 'The Roundup.'

 

▲This photo provided by Ace Maker Movie Works show actor Son Suk-gu. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)
Reflecting on his career, Son said he hadn't had much time to look back and reflect on himself. However, amidst his busy acting schedule, he's nurturing his dream of becoming a scriptwriter. Having studied documentaries during his study abroad in the United States, Son wrote and directed a short film called "Rebroadcast" as part of the 'Unframed' project in 2021.

"Being on a movie set, I kept witnessing the production process," he said. "As a result, my dream of becoming a scriptwriter has continued to grow."

 

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