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| Taiwanese actor Hsu Kuang-han poses during an interview with local media in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Lucky Jane Title |
Taiwanese actor garners huge popularity through his role in romance series
By Lee Gyu-lee
Taiwanese actor Hsu Kuang-han, also known as Greg Hsu, rose to stardom in Korea playing the lead role in the 2019 romance and mystery series "Someday or One Day." The series was a sensational hit in the country after streaming on major local over-the-top platforms, creating a hardcore fan base which has held various events, leading the local distributor to hold special screenings in theaters last year. It's also set for a Korean remake, starring Jeon Yeo-been and Ahn Hyo-seop.
Amid his high tide of fame, the 31-year-old actor is having his very first fan meeting event in Korea, which is scheduled for Sept. 3 and 4.
"I've heard from other people that 'Someday or One Day' is popular in Korea. When I saw fans in Korea holding events and gatherings, I thought it was very cute and felt touched. I've been wanting to come ever since and I feel honored to have a chance to be here," the actor said during an interview with The Korea Times in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, Monday.
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| A scene from "Someday or One Day" / Courtesy of Korea Creative Content Agency |
However, it was not until he set foot in the airport upon his arrival in Korea on Sunday that he actually grasped his popularity.
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| A poster for actor Hsu Kuang-han's first fan meeting event in Korea, set to be held on Sept. 3 and 4 / Courtesy of Lucky Jane Title |
The Taiwanese time-travel series was made in 13 episodes originally but streamed globally in 21 parts on streaming sites like Netflix. It revolves around a complex love story between a couple, Huang Yu-hsuan (Ko Chia-yen) and Wang Quan-sheng (Hsu).
Huang, while grieving the death of her boyfriend Wang Quan-sheng, is taken back in time to 1998 and wakes up in the body of a teenage lookalike. She meets a friend who looks exactly like her late boyfriend and finds herself in a love triangle.
While trying to solve the mystery behind the time travel and the couple's relationship with their lookalikes, Huang and Wang travel in time to change their fate in the past and present.
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| The 2019 romance series "Someday or One Day" was a huge hit in Korea. Courtesy of Korea Creative Content Agency |
Hsu said that he came across a chance to take the series' role through the production team he had worked with previously.
"I liked the script itself and the subject (of its story). The story unfolds and is about a love that many would want to watch," he said. "The story feels like it develops at a slow pace but was on the right tempo enough to get viewers to empathize with it."
The series not only became a huge hit in Korea but also garnered popularity worldwide with its cliffhangers, heart-fluttering romance and compelling performance of its lead actors.
The actor expressed that working on his globally famous series has helped him grow and set a direction for his future.
"I didn't expect to get this much popularity … It changed me to have a different mindset generally about how I should approach acting and my life," he said.
"I feel I've grown through this series. Because I've started to get a lot of attention, I started to become aware of things that I haven't. I've grown to see which direction I should head going forward much more clearly (since) the series aired."
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| A poster for "Someday or One Day" / Courtesy of Korea Creative Content Agency |
When asked if there are any Korean actors or auteurs that he wants to work with, he said he wants to work with highly recognized directors like Bong Joon-ho or Park Chan-wook.
"I think Korean films are well-made in every aspect from the visual and cinematography to the directors. I really hope to take part in Korean films if I have a chance," he said. "I like director Bong Joon-ho of 'Parasite,' Park Chan-wook and Lee Chang-dong. I also want to work with actors Sol Kyung-gu, Song Kang-ho and Kim Yoon-seok, and there are many others I want to work with."
The actor, who debuted in 2013 and has starred in various films and series including the 2019 romance film "My Love," shared that his goal as an actor is to put his best effort into every project.
"I've never really made a serious goal in what I should exactly be in the future. I'm just trying to do my best in every opportunity that I meet," he said.
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