Actor Koo Kyo-hwan, known for his unpredictable roles in films like 'Gunchi,' 'If We,' and 'Escape,' takes on a new challenge in 'Resurrection Man: The Red,' where he portrays a character who gains superhuman abilities after being resurrected 72 hours after death. The character, Seok-hwan, maintains a sense of humor even in extreme situations, balancing tension with Koo's unique rhythm, grounding the film's fantastical elements with his vibrant performance.
"I hope the audience feels even more exhilaration than I did. Every time I take on a role, there’s a thrill in becoming that character. This time, I gained superhuman strength with just a light touch, and I want the audience to feel that dopamine rush as well," Koo said.
While portraying the cartoonish aspects of Seok-hwan, Koo did not exaggerate the character. The bright red hair and the resurrection premise already set the film's tone.
"I didn’t have any grand plans. The mise-en-scène and all the elements surrounding this film were already helping me. Just looking at the bright red hair conveys the film's tone, and from the start, it declares, 'I died and came back to life.' My goal was to faithfully convey the story rather than create something new," he explained.
Seok-hwan's abilities and the stages of his resurrection were developed by the production team over a long period. Koo focused on acting within the established world rather than adding his own interpretation.
"This film has a clear purpose, and the power levels after resurrection are well-defined. The production team’s settings, which were prepared longer than I’ve known, are more precise, so I followed those guidelines closely. My role was to act within that framework," he noted.
Koo did not emphasize the contrast of Seok-hwan's transformation from an ordinary job seeker to someone with superhuman abilities. Instead, he aimed to stay true to the character's emotions and situations.
"I don’t think I want to be that 'useful person.' Seok-hwan's experiences are unfortunate and challenging, but they are necessary for the story and part of his growth. I focused on being true to the situation rather than expressing contrast," he said.
Interestingly, Koo believes Seok-hwan's greatest achievement is not his superhuman strength but rather his success in finding a job after a long journey.
"I’m really happy that Seok-hwan succeeds in getting a job. That feels like the biggest ability he has gained. He doesn’t need to die to become stronger. I appreciate that he succeeds through personal achievement and uniqueness rather than superhuman abilities. That’s why I like the ending," he shared.
Koo's criteria for choosing projects are straightforward: he looks for stories that pique his curiosity and whether he can enjoy working on set. This time, he was particularly interested in the cast and crew.
"What matters is whether I’m curious about the story and if I can enjoy working on it. This time, I was curious about many of the collaborators, including the actors and director, which played a significant role in my decision. I had a lot of fun working on it," he said.
Working in a heavily VFX-driven environment required a different kind of imagination from the actors. Koo found excitement in waiting to see how his movements would be enhanced in post-production.
"There are results that come from the set, but some scenes are completed in post-production. It was enjoyable to wait for that, like developing film. When you have to imagine a lot, sometimes the best expressions come out, and I felt that the possibilities were limitless rather than constrained," he explained.
Even within the fantasy world, the relationships between Seok-hwan and other characters feel realistic. Koo naturally responded to the energy brought by his co-stars Kim Si-ah and Kang Ki-young, building those relationships on screen.
"I think it’s thanks to Si-ah. She has a face that makes me react with 'Why, why?' and her unique, sisterly charm. Ki-young always brings fun elements that inspire me, and I just had to respond to that. I met various characters but focused on the relationships, which made the fantasy elements stand out even more," he said.
Koo's natural rhythm may give the impression of a lot of improvisation, but he clarified that he values the results crafted with the director and co-stars up until just before filming.
"I’m not the type to throw out unplanned improvisations. The text isn’t just the script. Even right before the shoot, things can change, and I think of it as a result of the agreements made with the director and co-stars. It’s not like I’m just improvising like in a talent show," he stated.
To achieve natural performances, Koo actively listens to his co-stars and utilizes the environment around him. He particularly focuses on raising his concentration just before filming.
"I try to observe my surroundings and genuinely listen to my co-stars. Every actor does this, but I think I concentrate very well in the 10 minutes before we start shooting. During that time, I touch the props and see how they are arranged, trying to use them. I’ve often been told that I’m a good actor for the first take," he said.
Koo also values the way he connects with audiences. He believes that promotional commitments should be enjoyable and not forced, allowing for a genuine experience with viewers.
"Promotional commitments should be fun and a promise to keep, so I think it should come from the heart. Doing it just because I have to wouldn’t be enjoyable. If I’m going to do it, I want it to be fun and think of ways to enjoy it with the audience," he said.
Koo actively engages with audiences during promotional events because he enjoys the opportunity to meet them in person, treating it like a festival.
"It will be obvious that I enjoy it. I go to meet the audience because I like it, and there aren’t many chances to greet them outside of the theater. I think of promotional events as a festival. I enjoy wearing fun costumes that fit the movie. I’ve always liked the culture of dressing up when going to see movies like 'Star Wars.' I hope we can enjoy the movie together as a festival," he said.
Meeting audiences through film during the holiday season is a new experience for Koo. He looks forward to enjoying the holiday spirit with viewers rather than focusing on competition.
"I think this is my first experience with a movie coming out around Chuseok. It’s a very fun season. I’m honored that 'Resurrection Man' is being released at that time. I hope everyone has a joyful holiday and if you feel moved, please come to see 'Resurrection Man.' I hope that day is enjoyable for everyone," he concluded.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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