 |
| ▲ This photo of Korean actor Yoon Kye-sang, a lead actor of Netflix original series "The Frog," is provided by the OTT giant. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Aug. 26 (Yonhap) -- "Just as Jang Chen is the character that comes to mind when thinking of Yoon Kye-sang's villain roles, I hope that when people think of 'a sad role played by Yoon Kye-sang,' they think of Gyu Sang-joon from 'The Frog.'"
In an interview held on the 26th at a café in Jongno, Seoul, to mark the release of the Netflix original series "The Frog," Yoon Kye-sang expressed his thoughts on his role in the new drama.
Jang Chen, a villain Yoon portrayed in the 2017 film "The Outlaws," is an unforgettable role that has become synonymous with Yoon Kye-sang as an actor. His intense and threatening portrayal of the Joseonjok gang leader earned him widespread acclaim.
 |
| ▲ This photo of Netflix original series "The Frog" is provided by the OTT giant. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Yoon Kye-sang expressed similar hopes for his role as Gyu Sang-joon in "The Frog," suggesting that this character could become as iconic for his sad roles as Jang Chen is for his villainous ones. "I found the image of Gyu Sang-joon, crumbling under sadness, to be compelling," he said. "I hope when people think about the range of emotions Yoon Kye-sang can express, they recall 'The Frog.'"
"The Frog" is a suspense drama that revolves around ordinary people who find themselves unwillingly entangled in crime. Yoon's character, Gyu Sang-joon, ran a motel 20 years ago, where a serial killer committed horrific murders. Despite being kind-hearted and well-liked in his rural community, the incident leaves Gyu Sang-joon and his family in ruin, with the motel becoming notorious as a "murder motel."
 |
| ▲ This photo of Korean actor Yoon Kye-sang, a lead actor of Netflix original series "The Frog," is provided by the OTT giant. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Yoon Kye-sang depicted Gyu Sang-joon's despair and frustration following the tragedy. A standout scene that Yoon himself highlighted is when Gyu Sang-joon, after a fight with his wife, vents his pent-up rage by smashing objects in the empty motel. This scene vividly portrays the character's bottled-up anger and hopelessness.
Another powerful moment in the drama is when Gyu Sang-joon confronts the imprisoned serial killer, asking, "Why did you do this to me?" The line poignantly captures the bitterness of a man whose life has been destroyed through no fault of his own. Reflecting on filming this scene, Yoon described the experience as "hellish," explaining that it was particularly challenging because it was the first scene shot, requiring him to convey deep emotional turmoil without having lived through the character's preceding events.
Later in the series, Yoon Kye-sang portrays Gyu Sang-joon as an older man, struggling with the trauma of the past two decades. To prepare for these scenes, Yoon revealed that he lost about 14 kilograms in three weeks, believing that Gyu Sang-joon, who remains trapped in his tragic past, should not appear overweight. However, this weight loss made him look too youthful for the role. Even director Mo Wan-il commented on set, "You look too young, and that's a problem." Yoon candidly admitted, "I started worrying that I had made a mistake by losing weight, but I have no regrets because I did my best."
 |
| ▲ This photo of Korean actor Yoon Kye-sang, a lead actor of Netflix original series "The Frog," is provided by the OTT giant. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Yoon Kye-sang, who debuted in 1999 with the group GOD and is celebrating his 25th anniversary this year, continues to thrive as both an actor and a singer. As an actor, he has recently begun filming the SBS drama "Try: We Become Miracles," which is based on rugby. As a singer, he will be performing at the upcoming GOD concert from September 27 to 29, which has already sold out all seats, reflecting the group's enduring popularity.
When asked how he manages the physical demands of dancing at concerts while simultaneously filming a drama in his mid-40s, Yoon joked, "I'm gradually removing one dance move at a time to cope."
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
