Ryu Seung-ryong Says His Role in ‘Chicken Nugget’ Is Affecting His Real Life

Ryu Seung-ryong Says His Role in ‘Chicken Nugget’ Is Affecting His Real Life: K-DRAMA&FILM / 연합뉴스 / 2024-03-19 15:24:48

▲ The profile photo, provided by Netlfix on March 19, 2024, shows South Korean actor Ryu Seung-ryong who starred the streamer's original series "Chicken Nugget." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Trembling like a leaf, he crawls to the refrigerator and opens the door, desperately calling out his daughter's name with tender eyes fixed on the chicken nugget (dakgangjeong). "Min-ah!"

Serious but funny, the show is just weird enough to keep you watching. It's the recently released Netflix original series 'Chicken Nugget.'

Sitting face to face at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 19th, Ryu Seung-ryong emphasized, "I immersed myself in the role just like Liam Neeson did in the movie 'Taken.'"

Based on a webtoon of the same name, 'Chicken Nugget' tells the story of Choi Min-ah (played by Kim Yoo-jung) who enters a mysterious machine at her father's company and transforms into chicken gangjeong.

Ryu Seung-ryong played Choi Seon-man, a devoted father struggling to turn his suddenly transformed daughter back into a human.

"I really felt like if I didn't believe my daughter had turned into Chicken Nugget, my acting would become ridiculous," he said. "I was so immersed in the story that I couldn't eat Chicken Nugget during filming. Because it looked like my daughter, I couldn't put it in my mouth. (Laughs)"

▲ A scene from Netflix's original Korean series "Chicken Nugget" is shown in the image provided by the streaming platform on March 13

'Chicken Nugget' is filled with absurd wordplay, surreal humor, and unexpected twists that defy expectations.

Ryu Seung-ryong reflected, "When I first heard about this project, I thought the director was joking."

He continued, "When I heard that Director Lee Byung-hun was writing a story about a daughter turning into Chicken Nugget, I thought, 'Why would he make such an unbelievable joke?' But a few months later, I received the script. I liked the unique setting and the way the story unfolds."

"It's a new kind of comedy, but to me, it was always a 'drama.' It wasn't just about funny settings; it expanded the theme consciously. I thought there was a beautiful love story transcending time and space in the script, a message that everyone could relate to."

Ryu Seung-ryong smoothly digested the bizarre settings with his effortless comedic acting and brought out Director Lee Byung-hun's unique 'flavor' through his theatrical dialogue delivery.

"It wasn't easy to digest these absurd lines," he said. "I think the skills I honed through training were very helpful." He particularly credited his breakthrough role in the musical 'Nanta,' which introduced him to the public.

"I did 'Nanta' for five years. It was tough doing the same production all year round back then, but looking back, I think what I learned then became valuable assets. The comedy techniques like breathing, timing, and turning that I learned back then are still ingrained in me."

▲ This image, provided by the Walt Disney Company, shows actor Ryu Seung-ryong who won Best Lead Actor for his role in the superhero webtoon series "Moving." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Despite being loved for his comedic acting, Ryu Seung-ryong plans to take a 'comedy sabbatical' for a while.

"I started this project with the intention of taking a break from comedy after 'Chicken Nugget,'" he said. "Until the audience starts missing the 'Ryu Seung-ryong-style comedy' again, I want to focus on acting without laughter."

Originally active as a stage actor, Ryu Seung-ryong made his screen debut in 2004 with the movie 'My Little Bride' and began to gain recognition with supporting roles in Director Jang Jin's films. Initially playing mostly supporting characters, he rose to stardom with consecutive box office hits like 'All About My Wife' (2012), 'Masquerade' (2012), and 'Miracle in Cell No. 7' (2013).

Ryu Seung-ryong is often referred to as a 'chicken specialist actor,' following his roles as a chicken restaurant owner in the movie 'Extreme Job' and Disney+'s 'Moving.' He smiled, saying, "I accidentally became a chicken specialist actor, but personally, I'm satisfied."

"When you try something new, some people find it unfamiliar because of its novelty, while others feel bored with repetitive images. I always feel like I'm on that boundary. I want to remain an actor with a diverse spectrum, showing both the acting I want to present and what the audience wants to see."

▲ A poster of Netflix's original Korean series "Chicken Nugget" is shown in the image provided by the streaming platform on March 13, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)