Why Byun Yo-han took a break from acting and what he learned from it

Actor Byun Yo-han / Courtesy of Megabox Plus M

By Kwak Yeon-soo

It's been a decade since Byun Yo-han stepped into films with "Working on Holiday (2011)," but the actor said he is still driven and hungry to learn. Recalling that every project felt like hitting a wall, Byun took a two-year hiatus from acting before returning to the big screen with director Lee Joon-ik's new period film, "The Book of Fish" (2021).

"After a few years of acting, I was tired and felt like I needed time to reassess my career. Having taken some time off, I now want to focus on acting that I love so much," he said during a recent interview with The Korea Times held via Zoom.

Byun said he chose "The Book of Fish" as his first project back because the slow-paced, black-and-white film challenged him as an actor.

In the film, the 35-year-old actor plays young fisherman Chang-dae who helps exiled scholar Jeong Yak-jeon (Seol Kyung-gu) write a book about sea creatures during his time on Heuksan Island.

Chang-dae's character is more dynamic compared with the main character Jeong, who appears more considerate and quiet. Their opposite personalities are the result of their different social classes and ideologies.

A strong advocate of Confucianism, Chang-dae clashes with Jeong, who is keen on accepting Western principles and Catholicism. Despite their differences, the two characters interact and share an intrinsic connection.

Actor Byun Yo-han in a scene from "The Book of Fish" / Courtesy of Megabox Plus M

Byun discussed his preparation for the role and starring in a black-and-white film for the first time. "It was honorable just to be part of this project, but a little challenging because an actor's voice and gestures are important in a black-and-white film. It's harder to convey emotions with just your facial expressions. However, I tried to represent the character as truthfully as possible," he said.

The actor revealed that he visited Heuksan Island before shooting the film. "At first, I was pretty excited about going to the island and exploring my character in a more in-depth way. But as I approached the island, I could feel how solitary Jeong must have felt to be confined to a remote island," he said.

Byun expressed admiration for Seol, personally and professionally. "A big part of the story was our connection, and I think we had that because Seol was really all-in. He is a disciplined actor who does 1,000 jump ropes every morning regardless of the weather. Also, he was always prepared with his scenes and lines."

He also thanked director Lee, who believed in him and gave him the opportunity to go a bit further with his character.

"Director Lee looks at actors' positive sides. He closes his eyes to their weaknesses. Also, he always stresses that actors are his friends. I could really feel it in my heart. I was able to access the emotional dynamics of Chang-dae's character thanks to his direction," Byun said.

The actor revealed that he still has a lot of concerns about showing off "good acting," and that frequently bothers him. "Many tell me to be easy on myself, but I constantly push myself further. I really hope I can enjoy the process after all," he said.

Since making his debut in 2011, Byun has starred in many hit drama series, such as "Misaeng: Incomplete Life" (2014) and "Mr. Sunshine" (2018) as well as films including "Socialphobia" (2014) and "Will You Be There? (2016).

"The Book of Fish" will hit local theaters, March 31.

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