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| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-06-25 15:35:43
SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) -- "When I receive an offer for such a comic character, I feel deeply moved. It means they believe I can do it, even though I've never shown this side of myself before," said actor Lee Hee-joon in an interview on the 25th at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
He recalled the moment he was cast in director Nam Dong-hyub's comedy film "Handsome Guys," which premieres on the 26th.
The movie tells the story of two men, practically like brothers, who experience strange events in a rural house they managed to scrape together funds to buy. Lee Hee-joon plays Sang-gu, a simple-hearted man from Gyeongsang-do, despite his rugged physique and sharp features.
Lee, who recently played intense villains in the Netflix series "The Good Detective" and the film "The Wilderness," takes on a comic character armed with so-called B-grade sensibilities. Unlike his typical non-handsome appearance, Sang-gu believes himself to be a "sexy guy," which adds to the character's charm.
"I was confident it would be fun," Lee recalled, saying he decided to take the role without hesitation as soon as he read the script. He humorously mentioned, "I was worried my handsome looks might get in the way of the humor," so he grew his hair and painted his face dark.
To avoid being outshined by his co-star Lee Sung-min, who plays the self-proclaimed "tough handsome guy" Jae-pil, Lee also strived to stand out visually. "On the shooting day, senior Lee Sung-min came with a ponytail and a tan. I felt a sudden competitive spirit, thinking I should at least get some cupping marks," he laughed. Park Ji-hwan, who plays a police officer in the film, was reportedly shocked by their appearances.
"Handsome Guys" has been praised for offering a fresh kind of humor not seen in traditional Korean films, particularly due to the actors' performances and their flavorful delivery of lines. Lee Hee-joon shared, "I always prepared three versions of each scene," emphasizing the cast's enthusiasm and improvisational efforts.
Reflecting on his experience with comic roles, Lee said, "I've realized that to be funny, actors must be very serious. The moment you think 'this will be funny,' it becomes weird." His new comedic face has earned praise from colleagues and family alike. Actor Jin Seon-kyu, a long-time friend, sent a long message congratulating him on his hard work's fruition.
Lee Hee-joon has a special relationship with co-star Lee Sung-min. Having performed together on stage since Lee was in his late twenties, they naturally embodied their characters' relationship without needing much explanation. "During filming, we had an intuitive understanding. If his expression was off, I knew immediately why," said Lee, reminiscing about their time together.
Despite his busy schedule with films and dramas, Lee Hee-joon continues to perform in theater, currently starring in "Flower, Star Pass." He describes the stage as his playground and a place where he can return to his roots. With a deep love for performance art, he left his chemical engineering studies at Yeungnam University to pursue acting in Seoul.
"Recently, I've been so busy and tired that I felt frustrated. Then a few days ago, I suddenly remembered my 21-year-old self, living in a goshiwon and roaming Daehakro, dreaming of becoming a stage actor. It was a moving moment, thinking what he would say if he saw me now at 46," Lee reflected. "It's almost unreal to be starring in a film with Lee Sung-min. I'm incredibly happy."
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