Actor Eom Tae-goo: ′I′m a Huge Introvert, But Gotta Do My Job′

Actor Eom Tae-goo: 'I'm a Huge Introvert, But Gotta Do My Job': K-DRAMA&FILM / 연합뉴스 / 2024-08-06 09:18:37

▲ This photo of Korean actor Uhm Tae-goo is provided by Teamhope on Aug. 6, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, August 6 (Yonhap) -- Actor Eom Tae-goo, known for his introverted personality, was met at a cafe in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, on the 5th. When asked if he would choose to be an actor again if he could go back in time, he hesitated before responding, "I think I would look for something else. This isn't easy. Haha."

Eom Tae-goo, who is famously shy among celebrities, greeted with a barely audible "Hello." Despite his introversion, he transforms in front of the camera, delivering natural performances. In an interview to mark the end of the JTBC drama "My Sweet Mobster," Eom shared, "I don't think I become a different person when acting; I just prepare as best as I can. It's never easy," he said with a shy smile.

Due to his shy nature, acting in front of others is always challenging, and this project was particularly difficult for him. Known for his charismatic and heavy roles in genre films, Eom made a lively acting transformation as the male lead Seo Ji-hwan in his first romantic comedy "My Sweet Mobster." Seo Ji-hwan, who runs a company for ex-convicts after overcoming a dark past, appears cold at first but has a boyish purity. As an inexperienced lover, he often ends up looking foolish in front of his first love, Go Eun-ha (played by Han Sun-hwa).

▲ This still photo of JTBC's romantic comedy series "My Sweet Mobster" is provided by the broadcaster on Aug. 6, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

"I was instinctively drawn to this bright script after doing so many dark projects," Eom said. "Honestly, even during filming, I wasn't sure. I felt like this might be my last project if it didn't go well." He continued, "Because it was my first time trying this kind of acting, it felt unfamiliar. Every scene felt embarrassing, even if I thought I got used to it. The next day would feel like starting over. It was like that for the entire eight months."

Despite his embarrassment, Eom's acting transformation was quite successful. He ranked first for four consecutive weeks in the TV-OTT actor buzz rankings by Good Data Corporation, with viewers praising his fresh take on the role. "I tried to act sincerely, no matter how comic the scene was," Eom explained. "Acting sincerely makes it look more grounded."

"This was a big challenge, but the positive reception gave me a lot of courage. As much as the viewers gave me courage, I want to repay them in some way," he added.

Eom Tae-goo debuted in 2007 with the film "Epitaph" and gained recognition with memorable roles in films like "The Age of Shadows" and "A Taxi Driver." He admitted he had seriously considered quitting acting multiple times due to feeling unsuited for the profession. "I wasn't satisfied with my acting, and it was hard to make a living," he said. "Other actors seemed to adapt quickly and perform comfortably, which was frustrating for me."

▲ This photo of Korean actor Uhm Tae-goo is provided by Teamhope on Aug. 6, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

"When I was younger, I tried to force myself to fit in, but it only made things more awkward. So, I did things my way and ended up on the variety show 'House on Wheels.' For eight months, I didn't meet anyone or work, but senior actor Kim Hee-won convinced me to join, saying all I had to do was eat. It was overwhelming with so many people and cameras, but some viewers found it endearing. It made me realize that I'm not necessarily wrong."

The reason Eom Tae-goo continued acting despite feeling unsuited for it was surprisingly simple. "I started acting because it looked cool, not knowing how hard it would be. By the time I wanted to quit, too much time had passed," he said. "I wasn't good at anything else."

When asked if he ever finds acting enjoyable, Eom hesitated before answering, "It's gratifying when I capture human experiences in my performances. However, the moments of joy are brief and surrounded by difficult times. I think all jobs are similar in this way. Haha."

Eom emphasized, "Regardless of whether it suits me, I believe I must do well because it's my chosen profession." He added, "It's embarrassing to act, but watching myself awkwardly on the monitor is even worse. I try to act sincerely, focusing only on the performance without overthinking."

"When I was younger, I envied colleagues who had a natural talent. But everyone has unique strengths that no one else can replicate. I believe I have my own, and so does everyone else."