In the series, Choi Hyun-wook portrays Lee Gang, an engineering student who sits at the back of the classroom and exudes an enigmatic presence. He creates a palpable tension opposite veteran actor Choi Min-sik, showcasing a solid presence that goes beyond youthful exuberance.
"It was released exactly one year after we finished filming. I’ve been waiting for this project, so I feel both nervous and excited. Now that it’s out, I feel relieved and happy. I’ve looked at some reactions to the work, and it seems like people are enjoying it. Each viewer brings a different perspective and interpretation, which I find fascinating," he said.
For a young actor, performing alongside Choi Min-sik could be daunting. However, Choi Hyun-wook expressed that he felt more joy in acting than pressure, extending his gratitude to his co-star.
"Opportunities for a young actor to work with Choi Min-sik are rare. The genres and roles available are limited, so I was eager to take part. When I actually acted alongside him, I found the experience more enjoyable than burdensome. He treated me in a way that allowed me to feel that way. This experience has been a driving force for me to continue in 'The Boy in the Last Row.' I believe I will keep searching for answers within myself as I act in the future," he shared.
Choi Hyun-wook noted that he was deeply impressed by Choi Min-sik's ability to shift between youthful and mature expressions during their conversations.
"When talking or acting with him, I paid close attention to his expressions. Even a subtle change in his face conveys so much depth from his years of experience. When he smiles, he radiates youthful charm, but when he offers advice, he feels like a wise elder. At times, he even seems playful. It was surprising to see how he could embody different characters in conversation without even acting. I thought, 'A senior with this level of experience is indeed different,'" he remarked.
From the beginning of filming, Choi Hyun-wook chose to embody the emotions that arose from interacting with Choi Min-sik rather than sticking rigidly to his initial preparations.
"In the early stages, I prepared by thinking about the scenes at home. But, as with all productions, the situation on set changes. Standing in front of Min-sik, I naturally felt a bit intimidated during the classroom scenes. That feeling matched well with Lee Gang's character during the one-on-one lessons. Relationships are formed through interaction, and I think that process helped reveal Lee Gang's character gradually," he explained.
Choi Hyun-wook gained more than just acting skills from 'The Boy in the Last Row.' He observed how Choi Min-sik's mere presence changed the atmosphere among the cast and crew, leading to a greater focus on the work.
"When he’s on set, there’s a positive energy. I could feel that not just I, but the staff were also happy and enjoying themselves, and that atmosphere seemed to enhance our focus on the project. I thought about wanting to be an actor and a person who positively influences the set like him. I realized that it’s not just about effort; it comes from the character and strength of the person," he said.
Lee Gang is a character who intrigues others through silence and gaze rather than revealing his thoughts directly. Choi Hyun-wook aimed to convey Lee Gang's emotions subtly through small gestures and expressions, making it difficult for viewers to easily determine his thoughts.
"I believe Lee Gang needs to convey a lot through atmosphere rather than direct dialogue. I wanted viewers to wonder, 'What is he thinking?' rather than showing forced expressions. So, I tried to express a lot through my gaze and small actions. He’s a peculiar character, so I focused on observing others and capturing the thoughts and feelings that arose in those moments," he explained.
In the latter part of the series, the real Lee Gang and the imagined version created by Heo Mun-oh intersect. Choi Hyun-wook aimed to create a contrast between the two characters by gradually adding familiarity to the real Lee Gang while differentiating the imagined version through actions, speech, and voice.
"The final scene can be viewed as not entirely fictional. The real Lee Gang, while taking private lessons with Heo Mun-oh, would naturally become more familiar over time. In contrast, the imagined Lee Gang at the end was portrayed with differences in behavior, speech, and voice to create a contrast," he said.
Although Lee Gang uses others' emotions to push his plans forward, Choi Hyun-wook does not define him as an emotionless character. He interprets that Lee Gang has his own feelings, as evidenced by his kindness towards the orphanage director.
"When reading the script and filming, I didn’t think of Lee Gang as a complete psychopath devoid of emotions. I didn’t want to define him by just one trait. He shows kindness and care towards the orphanage director, so I believe he has some emotions, and I acted with that in mind," he said.
Choi Hyun-wook believes that even after achieving his plans, Lee Gang's life would not change significantly. He interprets that Lee Gang would continue his ordinary life without feeling guilt or emptiness.
"I think after his plans succeed, Lee Gang wouldn’t feel disillusioned or empty. He would likely continue living as if nothing had happened. I believe there wouldn’t be a significant change for him. Lee Gang is a character who is hard to love. He clearly has negative traits, and I acted with that understanding. So, I think it’s reasonable for viewers to see him negatively," he explained.
To portray Lee Gang's exceptional writing skills, Choi Hyun-wook developed a habit of reading books and recording his thoughts. Given the story's exploration of human psychology, he remained sensitive to his surroundings and attentive to his co-stars' subtle expressions and actions.
"I read a lot of books. While I can’t read every day, I’m trying to cultivate a reading habit and record my thoughts and feelings. Since the story delves into human psychology, I think I was particularly alert on set. I tried not to miss any actions or expressions and experimented with various versions of narration," he said.
As he approaches his thirties, Choi Hyun-wook has noticed gradual changes in his daily life and interactions with others.
"I think it’s a natural change. As I approach my thirties, I still have energy, but I feel I’m better at distributing it than before. I want to focus my energy more on my close relationships, and I’ve become somewhat more introverted. I ask myself questions more often and occasionally write in a journal. Recently, I’ve started exercising at home and have begun yoga. I’ve only done it three times, but I really enjoy it. Fast-paced workouts can cause emotional fluctuations, but I’ve heard yoga helps stabilize emotions. I’ve felt my body loosening up and my mind calming down, so I want to keep it up," he said.
'The Boy in the Last Row' also serves as an opportunity for Choi Hyun-wook to transcend his familiar image as a boy. He expressed a desire to showcase a more masculine side that he hasn’t fully revealed until now.
"I believe 'The Boy in the Last Row' is a work that allows me to break away from my boyish image. I definitely have a masculine side, and I hope viewers can see that in this project as well," he concluded.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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