400,000 viewers are expected to see the film 'Hope,' in which actor Eom Moon-seok plays a pivotal role that shifts the narrative. Set against the backdrop of Hopo Port near the Demilitarized Zone, the film depicts the struggle of villagers facing an unknown alien life form. Eom portrays 'Yang-bae,' a local carpenter, whose innocent actions lead to a catastrophic event that transforms the story's direction. In a brief yet impactful appearance, Eom has emerged as a scene-stealer, leaving a lasting impression.
"When I heard that I had successfully embodied the character of Yang-bae, my first thought was that meeting Director Na Hong-jin marked a significant turning point in my life. The audience evaluates the final product, but the director provided so many details. I am grateful for how he crafted the character, even capturing every nuance of my facial expressions," Eom said.
Eom's collaboration with Director Na left a strong impression from the audition stage. It was more than just a simple acting test; it involved deep conversations that explored the essence of the character.
"When I first met the director, we didn’t jump straight into the audition. We talked first. He asked about my life and who I am, and then explained the character of Yang-bae. The director described him as 'neither good nor bad, but the embodiment of evil.' He mentioned that the bad people I think of are amateurs compared to Yang-bae, who never gets caught. Hearing that sent me into a panic. I realized this character was not just a dramatic necessity but one that required deep contemplation. I analyzed the role, and the director chuckled. From my perspective, he was just smiling, but from Yang-bae's viewpoint, it felt like he was mocking my serious approach. That moment helped me focus even more on my performance. I was overjoyed when I received a call through my manager to join the project. I had been a fan of Director Na and was thrilled to be part of his film with a speaking role after a long time," Eom recalled.
Previously, Director Na had stated during a Q&A session that he initially found Yang-bae to be unlikable. He believed that if a character lacks human charm, it might not be interesting, but Eom's performance was so compelling that he had no choice but to cast him in the role. Within this meticulously calculated setup, Eom filled in the details of his character in strong collaboration with the director.
"I worked alongside the director to flesh out the details of the character he envisioned. Director Na is very clear in his vision. He doesn’t make choices on a whim; he has a solid framework and aims to fill it with details. I believe I filled in the gaps within the framework of Yang-bae that the director created, and it felt like our ideas aligned to complete the character. The chemistry on set was excellent. I felt we could jump into action at a moment's notice. Before rehearsals, he would clearly outline what needed to happen, allowing me to play within those boundaries," Eom explained.
Since Yang-bae is not given a specific backstory, Eom's unique mannerisms stemmed from keen observation and instinctive inspiration. He discovered that the answer lay in the 'pure instincts of a child.'
"The director didn’t provide a detailed backstory for Yang-bae, but he highlighted the character's distinctive traits and crucial points. 'Hope' is not a film that drags on someone's backstory; it unfolds over the course of a single day. Therefore, I had to find my own challenges within that framework. I integrated the details provided by the director with Yang-bae's instinctive reactions to situations. I felt I couldn’t approach him as a typical character found in any film. I observed my friend's child trying to put something in their mouth and getting it taken away. The child acted instinctively, not realizing the danger or wrongness of the action. That moment struck me as terrifying while I was searching for the character. I thought, 'This is it. Let's go with the childlike approach.' Even if there are mannequin-like objects in Yang-bae's home, to him, they are not perverse but merely toys and playthings. Such ambiguous traits seem to add an eerie and suspenseful element to the film," Eom shared.
During promotional events, the stark contrast between Eom's warm personality and his character's shocking visuals often leads to amusing moments.
"What I notice most is that many people don’t recognize me as much as I expected. When the director and seniors greet me, I can sense the atmosphere before it’s my turn, as if they’re thinking, 'Who is that?' So when I say, 'I’m from my house,' those who recognize me applaud and point me out to others, which is quite fun. Just being among Director Na and my seniors makes me feel great, and I’m grateful for the warm reception during these events. I wish I could greet and hug each person, but time is limited, which is disappointing. I truly appreciate everyone," Eom expressed.
Having portrayed a series of uniquely characterized roles, Eom focuses on the emotional nuances inherent in each character rather than categorizing them.
"I’ve styled myself so much that I could be called a specialist in special hair. Some people categorize me as an actor who often plays villains or comedic roles, but I don’t divide characters that way when I first approach them. Whether a murderer, a serial killer, an office worker, a lawyer, or an ordinary person, I believe every character has their own joys and sorrows. The question is what the strongest emotion is. I don’t think of characters as simply good or bad; I aim to create characters that embody a blend of emotions. I think audiences have particularly enjoyed the 'joyful' aspects of my characters. Within that 'joy,' I believe there are still thousands of nuances I have yet to show. I want to present more of those aspects in characters that resonate with the audience," Eom stated.
Despite the intense interest in 'Hope' and the praise for his character Yang-bae, Eom remains self-critical and vigilant.
"I feel like I’m being overestimated, which makes me anxious. This isn’t just a humble statement; I genuinely don’t think I’m that great of an actor. I often tell my friends that I hope my acting is revealed slowly over time. That’s why I practice intensely. I feel overwhelmed by the compliments and just try to stay grounded," he said.
Regarding the perception that he is too harsh on himself, Eom expressed his clear stance.
"People around me often say I should take it easy. But I think I’m not good enough. I feel inadequate in dancing, singing, and acting. Even after doing something ten times, I still feel it’s not enough. Some might call it perfectionism, but I know who I am. I believe I need to do something a thousand times to keep up with others. That’s how I feel free. It’s just my nature. If I let go, I feel like I won’t be able to perform. When I sing, I need to be a real singer; when I dance, a real dancer; and when I act, a real actor. I want to do it perfectly and well. However, I’m trying to let go little by little, though I can’t do it all at once," Eom concluded.
At the end of the interview, he urged audiences to appreciate the full experience that theaters offer.
"Personally, I hope those who haven’t seen 'Hope' will watch it in theaters. Once it’s gone from theaters, you can’t experience it the same way again. Watching it on TV would be a disappointment. I would be grateful if you could fully appreciate the film’s sound, scale, details, and texture in a theater setting," Eom emphasized.
"When I heard that I had successfully embodied the character of Yang-bae, my first thought was that meeting Director Na Hong-jin marked a significant turning point in my life. The audience evaluates the final product, but the director provided so many details. I am grateful for how he crafted the character, even capturing every nuance of my facial expressions," Eom said.
Eom's collaboration with Director Na left a strong impression from the audition stage. It was more than just a simple acting test; it involved deep conversations that explored the essence of the character.
"When I first met the director, we didn’t jump straight into the audition. We talked first. He asked about my life and who I am, and then explained the character of Yang-bae. The director described him as 'neither good nor bad, but the embodiment of evil.' He mentioned that the bad people I think of are amateurs compared to Yang-bae, who never gets caught. Hearing that sent me into a panic. I realized this character was not just a dramatic necessity but one that required deep contemplation. I analyzed the role, and the director chuckled. From my perspective, he was just smiling, but from Yang-bae's viewpoint, it felt like he was mocking my serious approach. That moment helped me focus even more on my performance. I was overjoyed when I received a call through my manager to join the project. I had been a fan of Director Na and was thrilled to be part of his film with a speaking role after a long time," Eom recalled.
Previously, Director Na had stated during a Q&A session that he initially found Yang-bae to be unlikable. He believed that if a character lacks human charm, it might not be interesting, but Eom's performance was so compelling that he had no choice but to cast him in the role. Within this meticulously calculated setup, Eom filled in the details of his character in strong collaboration with the director.
"I worked alongside the director to flesh out the details of the character he envisioned. Director Na is very clear in his vision. He doesn’t make choices on a whim; he has a solid framework and aims to fill it with details. I believe I filled in the gaps within the framework of Yang-bae that the director created, and it felt like our ideas aligned to complete the character. The chemistry on set was excellent. I felt we could jump into action at a moment's notice. Before rehearsals, he would clearly outline what needed to happen, allowing me to play within those boundaries," Eom explained.
Since Yang-bae is not given a specific backstory, Eom's unique mannerisms stemmed from keen observation and instinctive inspiration. He discovered that the answer lay in the 'pure instincts of a child.'
"The director didn’t provide a detailed backstory for Yang-bae, but he highlighted the character's distinctive traits and crucial points. 'Hope' is not a film that drags on someone's backstory; it unfolds over the course of a single day. Therefore, I had to find my own challenges within that framework. I integrated the details provided by the director with Yang-bae's instinctive reactions to situations. I felt I couldn’t approach him as a typical character found in any film. I observed my friend's child trying to put something in their mouth and getting it taken away. The child acted instinctively, not realizing the danger or wrongness of the action. That moment struck me as terrifying while I was searching for the character. I thought, 'This is it. Let's go with the childlike approach.' Even if there are mannequin-like objects in Yang-bae's home, to him, they are not perverse but merely toys and playthings. Such ambiguous traits seem to add an eerie and suspenseful element to the film," Eom shared.
During promotional events, the stark contrast between Eom's warm personality and his character's shocking visuals often leads to amusing moments.
"What I notice most is that many people don’t recognize me as much as I expected. When the director and seniors greet me, I can sense the atmosphere before it’s my turn, as if they’re thinking, 'Who is that?' So when I say, 'I’m from my house,' those who recognize me applaud and point me out to others, which is quite fun. Just being among Director Na and my seniors makes me feel great, and I’m grateful for the warm reception during these events. I wish I could greet and hug each person, but time is limited, which is disappointing. I truly appreciate everyone," Eom expressed.
Having portrayed a series of uniquely characterized roles, Eom focuses on the emotional nuances inherent in each character rather than categorizing them.
"I’ve styled myself so much that I could be called a specialist in special hair. Some people categorize me as an actor who often plays villains or comedic roles, but I don’t divide characters that way when I first approach them. Whether a murderer, a serial killer, an office worker, a lawyer, or an ordinary person, I believe every character has their own joys and sorrows. The question is what the strongest emotion is. I don’t think of characters as simply good or bad; I aim to create characters that embody a blend of emotions. I think audiences have particularly enjoyed the 'joyful' aspects of my characters. Within that 'joy,' I believe there are still thousands of nuances I have yet to show. I want to present more of those aspects in characters that resonate with the audience," Eom stated.
Despite the intense interest in 'Hope' and the praise for his character Yang-bae, Eom remains self-critical and vigilant.
"I feel like I’m being overestimated, which makes me anxious. This isn’t just a humble statement; I genuinely don’t think I’m that great of an actor. I often tell my friends that I hope my acting is revealed slowly over time. That’s why I practice intensely. I feel overwhelmed by the compliments and just try to stay grounded," he said.
Regarding the perception that he is too harsh on himself, Eom expressed his clear stance.
"People around me often say I should take it easy. But I think I’m not good enough. I feel inadequate in dancing, singing, and acting. Even after doing something ten times, I still feel it’s not enough. Some might call it perfectionism, but I know who I am. I believe I need to do something a thousand times to keep up with others. That’s how I feel free. It’s just my nature. If I let go, I feel like I won’t be able to perform. When I sing, I need to be a real singer; when I dance, a real dancer; and when I act, a real actor. I want to do it perfectly and well. However, I’m trying to let go little by little, though I can’t do it all at once," Eom concluded.
At the end of the interview, he urged audiences to appreciate the full experience that theaters offer.
"Personally, I hope those who haven’t seen 'Hope' will watch it in theaters. Once it’s gone from theaters, you can’t experience it the same way again. Watching it on TV would be a disappointment. I would be grateful if you could fully appreciate the film’s sound, scale, details, and texture in a theater setting," Eom emphasized.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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