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| ▲ This still photo of film "The Plot," provided by star management AA Group on May 24, 2024, shows the film's lead actor Kang Dong-won. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, May 24 (Yonhap) -- Actor Kang Dong-won is known for films that leave a lasting impression through his expressive performances. In director Lee Yo-seob's new film 'The Plot,' set to premiere on the 29th, Kang introduces a new side of himself -- a face devoid of any warmth, increasingly consumed by rage, and ultimately lost.
Reflecting on the completed film, Kang shared his thoughts during an interview on the 24th at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. "Watching the finished product, I thought, 'Now I have a face that can portray such a character.' While there are always things to improve, I could see significant growth."
'The Plot' is a thriller about individuals who earn money by disguising contract killings as accidental deaths. Kang plays Yeong-il, a meticulous planner who designs murders to look like simple accidents. His character gets entangled in unforeseen events after taking on a high-profile assassination contract.
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| ▲ This still photo of film "The Plot," provided by star management AA Group on May 24, 2024, shows the film's lead actor Kang Dong-won. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Yeong-il leads a team consisting of Jackie (Lee Mi-sook), Wol-cheon (Lee Hyun-wook), and Jeom-man (Tang Jun-sang). These characters appear more like experts in a dark world than typical criminals. "Yeong-il is like an entrepreneur, a CEO with sociopathic tendencies," Kang explained.
Known for his dynamic action roles in films like 'Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard' (2009), 'Kundo: Age of the Rampant' (2014), and 'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' (2023), Kang relies more on his expressions than physical action in 'The Plot.' "Expressing through facial expressions is much harder than action scenes," he noted. "Most actors would agree. To convey the precise psychological state, I internally recite self-created lines. Overdoing it even slightly can ruin the character."
The film features many close-up shots of Kang's face, which he finds challenging despite his confidence in his appearance. "Close-ups are always tough and nerve-wracking. Staying still can make your body tense, so proper breathing and eye movement are crucial," he said.
Director Lee recently joked about Kang, calling him a 'black handsome man' due to his dark character in the film. Kang stars alongside Lee Jong-suk, who makes a special appearance as Yeong-il's former colleague. "When I heard someone referred to me as 'black handsome' and Lee Jong-suk as 'white handsome,' I burst out laughing. Lee is quite pale, and I'm darker. Our contrasting appearances worked well together."
Expanding his acting repertoire, Kang is also interested in story planning beyond acting. "I watch a lot of news, so I know a bit about everything. I enjoy creating and sharing unusual stories with people."
While 'The Plot' is a remake of the Hong Kong film 'Accident' (2009), it diverges in many aspects. Unlike the low-budget original, 'The Plot' is a large-scale commercial film that incorporates contemporary elements like conspiracy theories prevalent on social media. "When I first read the script, I felt the concept was fresh. I wanted to try playing a protagonist who disguises murders as accidents."
Kang introduced 'The Plot' as a "fresh film" and expressed his anticipation for a positive audience response.
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| ▲ This still photo of film "The Plot," provided by star management AA Group on May 24, 2024, shows the film's lead actor Kang Dong-won. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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