InterviewUm Tae-goo showcases unexpected rapper charms in 'Wild Sing'
Actor Um Tae-goo / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment
Actor Um Tae-goo is widely recognized for his deep, husky voice and quiet personality.
Having built a reputation through intense, dark roles, the actor has rarely been associated with high-energy comedy. However, the 42-year-old is set to shock audiences by transforming into a rapper in the upcoming comedy film "Wild Sing."
Um portrays Sang-gu, who constantly talks in a high voice, loves hip-hop and even makes cute faces while dancing.
The actor said Thursday that taking on this unconventional character was a terrifying challenge that pushed him to his physical and mental limits.
"Everything about this role was a burden, including the comedy genre itself, the rapping and keeping the character's tension so incredibly high," Um told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul.
"Intellectually, I always knew that comedy is the most difficult genre of acting, but experiencing it made me realize how truly challenging it is to make someone laugh. I now deeply respect actors who specialize in this field."
Um Tae-goo performs as rapper Sang-gu in a scene from “Wild Sing.” Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment
Directed by Sohn Jae-kon, "Wild Sing" follows Triangle, a former idol group that attempts a comeback after 20 years out of the spotlight. Led by Hyun-woo (Gang Dong-won), the group attempts to reclaim their past glory.
For Um, who recently showed a softer romantic side in the 2024 JTBC drama "My Sweet Mobster," the sheer volume of dialogue required a lot of effort.
"I had to force my personal energy levels as high as I could do and this was the hardest part," Um said. “To make it convincing, I actually had to force myself into a genuinely joyful mood before the shooting began.”
The actor confessed that he had to force himself to deliver a charming performance, including the character’s frequent winks.
"The cute expressions weren't practiced in front of a mirror. These expressions were decided on set, after putting on the wig and costume," Um said. "Right before the camera rolled, I hadn't fully decided how to play it, but a sudden thought hit me, 'If I can't look cute right now, I’d rather die.' I tried every possible way to look cute.”
Regarding his performance as a rapper, Um clarified that he did not write the songs alone but collaborated closely with a hip-hop instructor provided by the production. He spent a total of five months learning to rap at JYP Entertainment's headquarters.
Um Tae-goo performs as rapper Sang-gu in a scene from “Wild Sing.” Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment
The actor said this dramatic transformation was possible because of his professional mindset, as he felt it was his job to make the character look real, no matter how silly he had to act.
When asked why he chose a role with such a high risk of failure, Um answered he wanted to bring joy to the audience.
"I just thought the script was incredibly funny, and I really wanted to make people laugh," Um said. "If I hadn't taken the risk, nothing would have changed.”
Before his breakthrough role in director Kim Jee-woon's 2016 period thriller "The Age of Shadows,” where he played a cold-blooded Korean officer hunting down independence activists for the Japanese colonial government, Um said he frequently contemplated quitting the profession entirely.
"Ten years ago, before 'The Age of Shadows,' I thought a lot about giving up acting because I felt my introverted personality wasn't a good fit for this industry," Um revealed. "But after that film, working alongside incredible veterans made me realize that I hadn't chosen the wrong path. It gave me the conviction that I needed to keep moving forward."
“Wild Sing” will hit local theaters on June 3.