On June 17th, Yeo Jin Goo shared insights about his role in the movie 'Hijacking' during an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.

'Hijacking' tells the gripping story of a South Korean airliner hijacked in 1971.

Yeo Jin Goo tackled the role of Yoo Dae, a hijacker who has faced discrimination and contempt throughout his life. His portrayal of this complex villain role has been highly anticipated since his debut.

Speaking about his appearance in the film, Yeo Jin Goo remarked, "Perhaps due to my sleepy eyes, sometimes they look fierce when I raise them slightly. There were moments during filming when I had to look down."

He continued, revealing, "This time, it felt like I could fully open my eyes. I didn't realize my eyes had so much white or that my iris was small. It was a new experience for me. There were moments when I felt my gaze was chillingly intense."

When asked about the emotional challenges of playing a villain, Yeo Jin Goo explained, "Since childhood, I've been trained to separate roles from real life, so portraying a villain wasn't particularly difficult."

He elaborated, "This has been emphasized since 'Hwayi' (2013). Instead of merging with the character, I needed to maintain a distance to fully immerse myself."

Reflecting on the character Yoo Dae, Yeo Jin Goo shared, "Through this villainous role, I simply wanted to portray that even villains are human. Among the roles I've played, this is the one I felt most compelled to live."

He added, "Given the era depicted in the film, survival seemed impossible, and options were limited. I had to tread carefully not to immerse myself too deeply into the character."

Yeo Jin Goo expressed his hope that audiences recognize the character Yoo Dae rather than himself. He said, "I would be happy just to hear compliments like 'Jin Goo portrayed the role well.'"

Regarding his image as the 'nation's little brother', Yeo Jin Goo laughed, saying, "It feels like soon people won't refer to me as the 'nation's little brother' anymore, so I'm enjoying it while it lasts."

He concluded, "This role in 'Hijacking' challenged me to step out of my usual upright and good-guy roles. I hope viewers appreciate my performance and enjoy the film."

'Hijacking' is set to premiere in theaters on June 21st.

Source [1]

Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

Source: [1]