INTERVIEW Son Suk-ku reflects on making character likable in new film 'Troll Factory'
Actor Son Suk-ku / Courtesy of Acemaker Movieworks
Known for his relentless pursuit of diverse roles, actor Son Suk-ku is set to return to the silver screen as a reporter in the upcoming film, "Troll Factory." All eyes are on how the esteemed actor will embody this new character, one whom he feels he shares much in common with.
Son embarked on his acting journey at the age of 35, late by industry standards, yet swiftly captivated audiences with his unique charisma and acting prowess. His performances in 2022, notably as the lead in the melancholic drama "My Liberation Notes" and his riveting portrayal of the antagonist in the film, "The Roundup," catapulted him into the spotlight.
The 41-year-old also recently captured people's attention by openly expressing admiration for entertainer Jang Do-yeon, then later appearing alongside her on the YouTube series "Salon de Lip 2." This collaboration sparked quite a buzz, with the video accumulating over 6.78 million views as of Friday.
Despite this nationwide acclaim, Son's upcoming project, "Troll Factory," remains his focus.
The film focuses on Im Sang-jin (Son), a determined reporter in pursuit of an exclusive story. The plot unravels as Im faces accusations of producing fake news about a prominent conglomerate, only to uncover evidence of manipulation and cyberbullying orchestrated by the company itself.
Reflecting on the role during Friday's interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Jongno District, Seoul, Son stressed the importance of a meticulous approach in portraying his character.
"I really felt the weight of portraying my character," Son reflected. "Unlike the dramatic action I've tackled in other roles, like the villainous character I played in 'The Roundup,' journalism is something everyone encounters in their daily lives. So, I wanted to approach it with precision, making sure every question and gesture from the reporter was depicted delicately."
A still from "Troll Factory" shows character Im Sang-jin, played by Son Suk-ku, in this photo provided by Acemaker Movieworks.
The perception of journalists among the Korean public isn't particularly positive. Mindful of this sentiment, Son emphasized his efforts to ensure that his portrayal of Im wasn't perceived as unlikable.
"I wish there weren't such biases toward any profession. Whether it's reporters, workers of large corporations, or even actors, there are prejudices that the public holds, but I believe most of those are baseless assumptions," he said.
"However, considering the movie's context, I thought certain aspects of my character might be seen as unlikable by the audience. So, after talks with the director, we decided to emphasize the character's emotional highs and lows, with exaggerated reactions almost like a cartoon character. Essentially, my aim was to amplify Im's personal traits to counteract the prejudices against the whole journalistic profession."
"So, I guess you could say my portrayal of Im was a mix of cute and somewhat pitiful qualities, especially as the story unfolds," Son explained.
A still from "Troll Factory" shows character Im Sang-jin, played by Son Suk-ku, in this photo provided by Acemaker Movieworks.
The actor also noted some of the similarities between himself and his character, Im.
"When I first read the script, I found comfort in the similarities between him and me — particularly the tendency to be influenced by others. I often seek evaluations from others about myself and deliberately let those judgments affect me," he explained.
"If you refuse to acquire different opinions, I believe one can easily become narrow-minded. While there's a certain charm in a firm attitude towards life, I personally prefer to listen to different stories."
The film's ending is designed to ask realistic and thought-provoking questions, according to Son.
"This film's story mirrors our society, so you can see it as 'my story.' I think its ending will be fresh and fun," he said. "This will be both intriguing and scary, expecially for the generation MZ, who take online access for granted."
A still from "Troll Factory" shows character Im Sang-jin, played by Son Suk-ku, in this photo provided by Acemaker Movieworks.
To date, Son has diligently expanded his filmography, appearing in diverse projects such as Disney Plus' "Big Bet" (2022), Netflix's recent hit "A Killer Paradox" (2024), and the theatrical production "Army on the Tree" (2023).
He has also been actively involved in founding his own one-person production company, Stannum.
"I've barely taken any breaks since January, except for the Lunar New Year holidays. Back-to-back immersion in projects while simultaneously setting up the company left me with little time to think about how I've progressed in my career," he disclosed.
He revealed that he is now contemplating taking some time off.
"I think I need a bit of a break. By next year, I'd like to take one or two months off after each project is completed," he said.
"It's physically draining. When there's too much work, scheduling must be meticulously coordinated to avoid overlap, which can be troublesome ... Therefore, I aim to avoid taking on multiple roles simultaneously."
Actor Son Suk-ku / Courtesy of Acemaker Movieworks
Possibly due to this considerate nature, Son is a cherished actor among numerous directors. Ahn Gooc-jin, the director of "Troll Factory," had Son in mind for the film's lead long before its inception.
"I believe the reason many people seek me out is because I don't cause trouble on set," the actor modestly remarked.
"To create good work, you need to collaborate with good directors, and becoming a good director involves having a steadfast work method of your own. So I strive to accommodate them as much as possible. I believe they appreciate that I don't disrupt proceedings and work towards harmony," he concluded.
"Troll Factory" is set to hit local theaters Wednesday.