Koo Kyo-hwan on 'The Escape': "While Lee Je-hoon Ran, I Practiced Piano"

▲ This photo provided by Plus M Entertainment shows actor Koo Kyo-hwan who stars in film "Escape." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, June 21 (Yonhap) -- The upcoming film "The Escape," set to be released on July 3rd, showcases the dynamic chemistry between actors Lee Je-hoon and Koo Kyo-hwan. 

Lee plays Kyunam, a North Korean soldier who deserts his frontline unit and races across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to the South in a desperate bid for freedom. Koo portrays Hyeon-sang, a security officer pursuing Kyunam, embodying a character with a more complex, multifaceted interior.

While Kyunam is driven by a fierce desire for freedom, Hyeon-sang represents a more complicated figure, torn between his role as a staunch defender of North Korean ideology and his past aspirations of becoming a pianist. A poignant scene in the film reveals Hyeon-sang’s hidden romantic side as he gracefully plays the piano.

"Watching Lee Je-hoon’s intense movements as he ran across the field under the night sky was awe-inspiring. What was I doing then? Practicing the piano," Koo Kyo-hwan shared with a laugh during an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the 20th.

▲ This photo provided by Plus M Entertainment shows actor Koo Kyo-hwan as Gyu-nam in the Korean action-drama film "Escape." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Koo emphasized the importance of Hyeon-sang’s approach to the piano, stating, "The way Hyeon-sang approaches the piano is as significant as playing it well. I paid a lot of attention to his posture while sitting at the piano, as it probably represents his most passionate side."

In "The Escape," Koo Kyo-hwan skillfully portrays Hyeon-sang, a character who appears contradictory yet seamlessly blends mystery and humor into the film. "I tried to express Hyeon-sang’s anxiety, but I’m not sure if it was conveyed well," he cautiously remarked.

Kyunam and Hyeon-sang share childhood memories, and even as Hyeon-sang chases the deserter Kyunam, he retains a lingering affection for his old friend. Koo found it easy to channel his feelings toward Lee Je-hoon into his character. "I just had to project the fondness and admiration I’ve always had for Lee Je-hoon onto Hyeon-sang," he explained.

Praising Lee Je-hoon, Koo said, "His concentration and immersion in scenes are remarkable. It’s crucial for an actor. When studying cinema, you can't overlook Lee Je-hoon." Koo, who is also a filmmaker, revealed his admiration for Lee, even writing a script with Lee in mind for a role. "Collaborating with him was an absolute delight," he added.

▲ This photo provided by Plus M Entertainment shows actors Koo Kyo-hwan (L) and Lee Je-hoon as Hyun-sang and Gyu-nam, respectively, in the Korean action-drama film "Escape." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Jokingly, Koo hinted at future collaborations, saying, "I don’t think this is the end of our work together. Maybe next time, I’ll get to do some running."

Koo Kyo-hwan’s portrayal of Hyeon-sang in "The Escape" may remind viewers of his role as Tae Joon-ki, the North Korean embassy counselor in Ryoo Seung-wan's "Escape from Mogadishu." Koo noted the differences, stating, "While Tae Joon-ki concealed his emotions, Hyeon-sang is more open."

Koo refrained from delving deeply into his character or the story of "The Escape," saying, "An actor’s job is to present their performance, not to define it. Explaining too much about one’s own acting can be uninteresting."

He also reflected on his most rewarding moments as a director. "During the Jeongdongjin Independent Film Festival, seeing the schoolyard packed with people watching my film outdoors at night was the best feeling. It felt like having a million viewers in my heart," he shared.

Koo concluded by mentioning his plans to start shooting a feature film later this year, asking for support from his fans.

▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows Korean actor Koo Kyo-hwan. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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