Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
INTERVIEW Actor Yu Jae-myeong proud of taking meaty role in 'Voice of Silence'
Actor Yu Jae-myeong poses after an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Acemaker Movieworks
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Yu Jae-myeong, an actor having made strong impressions with the tvN dramas “Stranger” (2017) and “Itaewon Class” (2020), has taken on a meatier role in the crime drama “Voice of Silence.”
For his latest role ― as Chang-bok in the upcoming film ― Yu has gone deep and dark. He makes a living cleaning up crime scenes for criminals with his cohort Tae-in (Yoo Ah-in). But as the story unfolds the two find themselves stuck with a kidnapped girl named Cho-hee (Moon Seung-ah).
Yu said he liked how director Hong Eui-jeong uses comedic mise en scene and symbolism to lighten up the intense atmosphere and narrative.
“In the pre-production stage, director Hong and I discussed a lot about Chang-bok's character, like what caused him to limp and how he became close with Tae-in. But we later agreed that all of these details don't matter that much,” Yu Jae-myeong said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday.
“What's more important is that Chang-bok is the character that blurs the line between good and evil. Although he engages in criminal activities, he's a diligent, ordinary person who believes that he's blessed to earn a livelihood. This leads viewers to refrain from making moralistic judgment of him.”
The 47-year-old actor said he had to drive the storyline because the character Tae-in doesn't speak in the film.
“In contrast to Tae-in, who remains silent at all times, Chang-bok is a nonstop talker,” he said. “It was a bit challenging because I had to control pacing the story as a whole. And since there was no verbal reaction from Tae-in, I had to read the expression in his eyes and continue talking.”
Yu expressed satisfaction on acting alongside Yoo, commenting that his fellow actor is a free-spirited and approachable person.
“Ah-in was very engaging and always came prepared. He's just all-in. And he's really good,” he said.
Yu shared that he doesn't have a clear criteria in picking his roles. “Of course, I look at who's the director, what's the subject matter, what's the message? Then, I ask myself, Can I do it?” he said.
“But as an actor, I'm destined to be chosen by filmmakers, producers and the public, and it is through them that I can make my presence felt on camera. So I try to look at the positive sides of playing a certain role instead of looking out for a good script. I think there's no such thing as good or bad script.”
He said he will always be proud of taking a part in “Voice of Silence” because he did his best to reach the potential of the scenes. “When I re-watch the film a year after its release, I feel relieved because I feel like I've grown. I hope I feel the same way with this one too,” Yu said.