Shin Seung-ho takes on new challenge with priest role of patience and restraint
Actor Shin Seung-ho attends a press screening for the film “Only God Knows Everything” at Megabox Coex in Seoul’s Gangnam District on Aug. 13. Yonhap
Actor on 'Only God Knows Everything': 'It came with positive difficulties'
Actor Shin Seung-ho is challenging himself with a new transformation, stepping into the role of Father Do-un in the upcoming film “Only God Knows Everything.” For Shin, the film’s appeal lies not in surface-level intrigue but in its heavy narrative and the inner struggles of its characters.
“When I first read the script, I thought this wouldn’t be an easy film to watch,” Shin said in a recent interview. “Do-un is a character who has much to show, but at the same time, there are many aspects that require restraint and patience. That difficulty worked positively for me and gave me a chance to learn a lot.”
In contrast to earlier performances that often included explosive emotional outbursts, Shin explained that this role demanded a more subdued approach, requiring him to convey restraint and inner conflict.
“Looking at my filmography, this was an area I had little experience in, which made it more appealing. In the end, it became a very positive project for me,” he said.
“Only God Knows Everything” marks Shin’s second collaboration with director Baek Seung-hwan after “Double Patty.” “I personally think of him as a director of great character,” Shin said. “But my decision wasn’t based on personal ties. The strength of the script drew me in. It’s hard to sum up in one word, but it was powerful writing.”
To embody a Catholic priest, Shin sought insight from actual clergy, despite coming from a Protestant background.
“I didn’t know much about Catholicism, so I tried to see the human side by meeting priests directly,” he said. “When I first put on the cassock, I felt a vague sense of reverence — and also realized some of its inconveniences in daily life,” he said.
Rather than conducting formal interviews, he engaged priests in casual conversation. “We shared meals and talked about daily life, and through that I could observe their everyday side,” he said.
Actor Shin Seung-ho in a scene from “Only God Knows Everything” / Courtesy of Triple Pictures
The toughest scenes
One of the most challenging scenes, Shin recalled, was when blood splattered across Father Do-un’s face. Beyond shock value, the scene symbolized the character’s moral contamination.
“The blood had to spatter in a visually impactful way,” he said. “Because the meaning of a clean face being tainted was so important, we repeated the take more than ten times. After wiping and reapplying over and over, I felt drained. But in the end, I was satisfied with how it came out.”
Another hurdle was an intense church sequence with veteran actor Yoo Sung-joo. “My part in the scene was clear, but my ambition was big,” Shin said. “I didn’t want it to be just about ferocity. I wanted to capture the burden Do-un carried and the pity surrounding him.”
The film’s final scene avoids resolving Do-un’s fate. “Whether he chooses revenge or remains faithful is left open,” Shin said. “I didn’t aim for it, but my ambiguous expression ultimately gave the ending more power.”
He resisted pinning down a single message from the film. “I wasn’t looking for the right answer,” he said. “It’s a film that allows multiple interpretations, and that’s what made it fascinating.”
Shin also appeared in the recently released “Omniscient Reader.” Having two films out in theaters during a difficult time for the industry carried special weight.
“I’m just grateful these films were released in theaters,” he said. “Of course, there can be regrets about box office scores, but in the end, I’m happy to have shown my face and met audiences.”
“Only God Knows Everything” was released on Aug. 22.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.