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| ▲ Actor Song Joong is seen in this photo provided by his agency, High Zium Studio. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Dec. 24 (Yonhap) -- “The full-location shoot in Colombia was a big factor," said actor Song Joong-ki during a roundtable interview on Monday at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, explaining why he chose to star in "Bogota: The Land of Last Chances."
"There were many Spanish lines, and although they don’t appear in the movie, I had numerous scenes with Colombian actors. These new elements and challenges really sparked something in me,” he added.
Film "Bogota" tells the story of Guk-hee, a man who, after the Asian financial crisis, moves with his family to Bogota, Colombia, in search of hope and struggles to survive in a foreign land. Filmed on location in Bogota, Song plays the lead role of Guk-hee.
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| ▲ Actor Song Joong is seen in this photo provided by his agency, High Zium Studio. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Song shared that his curiosity about the project was fueled by director Kim Seong-je’s ability to create dense character-driven stories, as seen in his previous film The Unfair, as well as his own desire for a new challenge.
To prepare for his role, Song learned Spanish and even improvised lines to deliver a more natural performance. His fascination with the language continues, and he is still studying it.
Guk-hee undergoes a transformation as he adapts to life in Bogota, shedding his initial naivety. His evolution is reflected visually through short hair, earrings, and a polished suit.
“Guk-hee left Korea with no hope,” Song explained. “He was just a clueless kid in a foreign land where he couldn’t speak the language or earn a living. His father was irresponsible, and his mother was powerless. It made sense that his survival instincts would kick in—he had to take care of his mother, his family, and himself. That’s where I focused my performance.”
Song revealed that during pre-production, he asked to visit Colombia, where he shared his observations with the costume director. He even got his ears pierced locally to add authenticity to his character.
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| ▲ Actor Song Joong is seen in this photo provided by his agency, High Zium Studio. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
The characters in Bogota ultimately find themselves trapped in a "hell of desire" in the foreign city.
“I kept wondering why they couldn’t escape,” Song reflected. “I realized it’s because they hadn’t seen a broader world. While the film is set in Colombia, I felt this idea applies anywhere. Once you cling to a place and settle in, you risk becoming a frog in a well.”
As an actor, Song actively seeks challenges to avoid being confined to his comfort zone. His recent roles in films like Hopeless and My Name is Loh Kiwan have showcased his versatility, and his relatively late start in acting highlights his daring nature.
“I try to avoid stagnation and take on things I haven’t done before. That’s just my nature,” he said.
This exploratory mindset was reinforced by his experience in the drama Deep Rooted Tree, where he played a young King Sejong opposite Baek Yoon-sik as King Taejong, generating buzz early in the series.
“Playing the main character who gets all the spotlight isn’t always the best. I think I realized that after experiencing the fulfillment I felt during Deep Rooted Tree,” he recalled.
One of his favorite actors, Brad Pitt, inspires him for his willingness to take on diverse roles regardless of their size.
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| ▲ Actor Song Joong is seen in this photo provided by his agency, High Zium Studio. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Song’s adventurous spirit also extends to his preference for exploring new genres.
“I believe that showcasing new faces comes from exploring new genres. So I’m very ambitious about genre work. Even if my character takes a backseat, I’ll do it if the genre feels fresh. My craving for a new face is satisfied by discovering new genres.”
At the same time, Song emphasized his sense of responsibility as a lead actor. He pointed out that this responsibility drives him, even to unexpected ventures like appearing on JTBC’s variety show Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, marking his first TV variety appearance in over a decade.
“Making movies involves other people’s money,” he said. “It’s irresponsible to pursue only personal desires without considering that. Introducing the film and asking viewers to ‘enjoy it’ is part of a lead actor’s job.”
Expressing gratitude for returning to theaters with Bogota, Song concluded, “It’s been a while since I’ve greeted audiences with a theatrical release. I intend to fully embrace this responsibility and do my part.”
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