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| yna@yna.co.kr 2024-06-17 18:07:37
SEOUL, June 17 (Yonhap) -- "I want to hear people say, 'I saw a new side of Jin-goo,' or 'Jin-goo can handle such roles well.'"
Meeting with Yonhap News on the 17th at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Yeo Jin-goo shared his thoughts on his performance in the upcoming film 'Hijacking,' set to release on the 21st. The film, based on the 1971 attempted hijacking of a Korean Air passenger plane, portrays a hijacking incident on a flight from Sokcho to Seoul that nearly led the plane to North Korea.
Yeo Jin-goo plays Yong-dae, a hijacker who, disillusioned with life in South Korea, plants a homemade bomb on the plane and forces the captain, Kyu-sik (played by Sung Dong-il), and co-pilot Tae-in (played by Ha Jung-woo), to head to North Korea. His actions plunge the plane into extreme danger, marking a striking departure from Yeo's usual bright and good-natured image.
"I was drawn to the energy Yong-dae needed to show in the confined space of the aircraft. I was worried if I could handle that energy, but the desire to challenge myself was stronger," Yeo explained.
In 'Hijacking,' Yeo Jin-goo expresses Yong-dae's anger and madness through intense, burning eyes. He admitted, "I didn't realize my eyes' whites were so big until I watched the movie. It was a new feeling for me too."
Reflecting on his performance, Yeo said, "There was no other way but to show the energy of someone obsessed with their own goal."
Ha Jung-woo, who proposed Yeo for the role, did so while they were filming the TVING original variety show 'Ticketing on Two Feet' in New Zealand together. "He told me that Yong-dae is a character with special energy and suggested I read the script. I finished it the night we arrived in New Zealand."
The opportunity to act alongside Ha Jung-woo, his "role model," was another reason 'Hijacking' was an invaluable opportunity for Yeo. "I've always wanted to become a senior like him. He taught me that you can do well only when you're having fun. The filming set of 'Hijacking' was so pleasant and enjoyable that I didn't want to leave."
In 'Hijacking,' Yeo Jin-goo faces off against Ha Jung-woo, including an in-flight fight scene. He recalled, "Filming action scenes in such a confined space, with intense emotions flaring up, I ended up accidentally hitting him a few times."
Portraying the villainous Yong-dae was a significant challenge for Yeo. The hardest part was immersing himself in Yong-dae's emotions without glamorizing his actions. Yeo explained, "This was the point I discussed the most with the director. We created several versions of scenes by either adding more emotions or toning them down, and the director pondered over them during the editing process."
Although only 27 years old, Yeo Jin-goo is already celebrating his 20th year as an actor, having started as a child actor. With his mandatory military service approaching, he said, "I want to work on as many different projects as possible before I go."
Responding to being called the "nation's little brother," Yeo laughed, "I guess that's because there are more people older than me who see me that way, but I think the day when people stop calling me that isn't far off."
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