연합뉴스
| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-09-25 17:38:12
SEOUL, Sept. 25 (Yonhap) -- Director Hur Jin-ho's new film A Normal Family tells the story of lawyer Jae-wan (played by Sul Kyung-gu), his brother, doctor Jae-gyu (Jang Dong-gun), and their wives Ji-soo (Claudia Kim) and Yeon-kyung (Kim Hee-ae).
The central scene involves the four characters gathering for a meal, where they discuss how to handle the shocking discovery that one of their teenage children has committed a serious crime, exposing the hidden facets behind their outwardly composed appearances.
Although the film features veteran actors Sul Kyung-gu, Jang Dong-gun, Kim Hee-ae, and Claudia Kim, known for her Hollywood work, the dinner scene proved to be challenging. In an interview on the 25th at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Sul said, "We were all highly tense, fully focused on filming that scene. There were many takes." In this pivotal moment, the actors not only deliver lines but convey their characters' inner emotions through subtle facial expressions, sometimes creating a chilling atmosphere when captured in close-ups.
In A Normal Family, Sul Kyung-gu plays Jae-wan, a highly successful lawyer who will stop at nothing to win in court, characterized as cold-blooded yet pursuing his own sense of rationality. Regarding his character’s potential change in judgment on his child's issue, Sul explained, "It’s not really a shift in mindset. Jae-wan remains consistent. Any perceived change is likely a result of his ongoing logical deliberation."
When asked if he personally relates to his character’s cold demeanor, Sul responded, "I'm not that cold-hearted. I may seem that way, but I’m not really a cold person."
Sul also reflected on working with Jang Dong-gun, who plays his brother in the film. "Our usual dynamic of calling each other 'hyung' (older brother) and 'dongsaeng' (younger brother) helped us get into the rhythm of playing siblings." Recalling his reaction upon first hearing about their casting as brothers, he laughed, "I thought, 'Will people believe we're brothers?' But I just went with it, thinking 'Eh, who cares?' After all, siblings don't always look alike."
Though A Normal Family is a dark thriller, there are plenty of moments where unexpected humor shines through, with Kim Hee-ae often delivering the most natural comedic moments. Sul, who previously worked with Kim in The Moon and Netflix's Storm, described her as "appearing meticulous but surprisingly easygoing, with an endearingly clumsy side that makes her charming."
Sul mentioned that while he usually chooses projects based on how interesting the script is rather than the character, he accepted A Normal Family due to his trust in director Hur. "The film's tone could vary greatly depending on who directs it, and I trusted Hur’s ability to bring out the subtlety that’s always present in his works."
The Normal Family touches on more than just the hypocrisy of the elite; it also delves into Korea’s educational challenges. Sul emphasized, "It’s a movie I hope parents and their children watch together."
Initially slated for release on November 9, the film’s opening has been postponed to November 16. It was first unveiled at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival last year and will be screened at the Busan International Film Festival on October 2.
Recalling the positive reception at the Toronto Film Festival, Sul shared, "There was a lot of surprise at the film's shocking ending." Sul, who gained recognition for his role in Lee Chang-dong's Peppermint Candy (2000) and went on to star in blockbuster hits like Silmido (2003), Public Enemy (2002), Voice of a Murderer (2007), and Haeundae (2009), is now considered one of Korea's leading actors.
When asked how he would like to be remembered as an actor at the age of 56, Sul responded, "I want to age well. I’m not young anymore, and whenever I’m asked what kind of actor I want to be, that's always my answer."
[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]