The Disney+ original series "Killer's Shopping Mall Season 2" continues to gain global popularity, surpassing the buzz of its predecessor. The return of Jin-man (Lee Dong-wook) and the new representative Jian (Kim Hye-jun) leads a massive counterattack against the global force "Babylon." Among the highlights of this season is the impressive performance of newcomer Yoo Hyun-soo, who plays Woo-jin, a young resident managing various affairs in Hanam-do. His character provides crucial support for Jian's awakening as a true leader. Despite sharing the screen with seasoned actors, Yoo has made a significant impact, proving his unwavering acting skills and earning the title of "the discovery of Season 2."
"I was thrilled and honored to participate in the sequel of such a beloved work as 'Killer's Shopping Mall.' I am grateful to the director for giving me the opportunity to portray Woo-jin, and I felt a high level of satisfaction during filming, realizing that I made the right choice in pursuing acting," Yoo said.
Yoo secured the role of Woo-jin through auditions, which included submitting non-face-to-face video auditions followed by in-person auditions where he showcased various versions of the character to the production team.
"Initially, I sent a lot of monologue videos to the director remotely. After that, I met in person and demonstrated all of Woo-jin's scenes. When sending the videos, I prepared versions in both standard Seoul dialect and regional dialects," he explained.
Once he passed the auditions, Yoo faced the challenge of thorough physical preparation. He had only two weeks before the first shoot in Tongyeong. During this short period, he had to master the regional dialect, obtain a motorcycle license, and learn boat handling skills.
"When I heard the news of my casting, I expected to feel joy, but the pressure was immense. I had only two weeks before the first shoot in Tongyeong. During that time, I had to prepare the dialect, get my motorcycle license, and train for boat handling all at once. I practiced with a dialect coach every day, except when I was sleeping. Even after filming in Tongyeong, I would return to my accommodation and practice the dialect until bedtime. When I couldn't meet my coach, I practiced over the phone for more than three hours. I also had to rush to get my motorcycle license before heading to Tongyeong, but I slipped during the test on a rainy day and failed. I retook it and barely passed, and the day before filming, I received boat handling training from a local captain. I felt a strong sense of responsibility not to disrupt the excellent ensemble and storyline created by the senior actors and the director from Season 1," he said.
In the series, Woo-jin navigates the fine line between being an innocent young man and a mysterious figure. Yoo adapted to the direction of director Lee Kwon, creating a multi-dimensional character.
"The performance I prepared for filming was focused on Woo-jin's justification. It portrayed his innocent emotions when he was caught helping with smuggling or illegal immigration. However, the director suggested that this part needed to be more thrilling and mysterious, reminiscent of the character Baek Jeong-min from Season 1. So, I filmed two versions: one that preserved Woo-jin's justification and another as a villain. The director felt that the performance focusing solely on innocence was lacking, so he encouraged me to take a bolder approach as a villain. In that moment, I acted as if I were a spy dispatched from Babylon, setting aside the character of Woo-jin," he shared.
Woo-jin's death in the middle of the story shifts the narrative flow. While it might seem disappointing for a newcomer to exit midway, Yoo understood the inevitable impact of his character's death on Jian's storyline.
"I wasn't disappointed at all. I thought it was a very meaningful character. Looking back at Season 1, I believed Woo-jin was a character who briefly fulfilled the deficiencies of Jian. In the scene where Woo-jin dies, he asks Jian for her real name and says, 'That name is beautiful too.' I think that line conveys the message of loving someone for their existence, regardless of their past. It likely provided great comfort to Jian in her later life and gave her confidence in her identity. I believe Woo-jin served as a significant awakening and healing agent for Jian," he reflected.
Kim Hye-jun, who plays Jian, was a strong support for Yoo, helping him blend naturally into the production despite his initial nervousness.
"Kim Hye-jun is very cheerful and kind. After our first shoot, she arranged a meal with the director and treated me to bossam (Korean pork belly). We also went to a brunch café together and even got a one-day gym pass to work out together. Spending that time together made it easy to find our acting rhythm. I learned a lot from her, realizing that, like Jian, she has a significant influence on the set," he said.
The synergy between the two actors is evident in their contrasting tones and intense emotional exchanges. Particularly, the scene of Woo-jin's final moments on the boat is highlighted as a standout moment of their powerful chemistry.
"The scene where Woo-jin meets his death on the boat took nearly 6 to 7 hours to film. It was a deeply emotional scene, and I was focused. Kim Hye-jun provided intense energy, crying whether it was one take or ten. Receiving that energy allowed us to fully pour our emotions into our performances, resulting in a level of satisfaction beyond what I had anticipated," he said.
Yoo's experiences on stage during his school years led him to the intense world of acting. The thrill of fully exchanging emotions, even in fictional situations, solidified his conviction to become an actor.
"I have always enjoyed being in front of others. During middle and high school, I would always participate in talent shows and dance. While contemplating a career in the arts, I joined the drama club. There, I learned acting and performed, and the thrill of expressing my emotions to the audience and having them focus on my breath was immense. After going through auditions, I studied acting in college, and I found it incredibly enjoyable to feel and exchange emotions along with my roles. In this work, I felt that joy fully during scenes with the captain in the middle of the sea and in deep emotional scenes with Jian," he said.
Having primarily portrayed lively and unique characters in previous works, the role of Woo-jin provided Yoo with a valuable stage to showcase the full spectrum of emotions.
"In my previous works, I played brighter, livelier, and unique characters. While I have grown through diverse roles, in 'Killer's Shopping Mall 2,' Woo-jin embodies all emotions, allowing me to perform dynamically. The fact that I could deeply express what I had practiced and trained for was significant for me. I believe my strength lies in expressing large-scale events and emotions. I think the skills I developed through focused training on Greek tragedies and emotionally intense scenes in college have become my weapons," he said.
With a solid foundation established in a large-scale action series, Yoo's gaze is now set on exploring a wider range of genres. From intense tragedies to lighthearted everyday stories, the potential faces of newcomer Yoo Hyun-soo are limitless.
"In the future, I want to portray tragic characters in historical dramas, roles that allow me to fully express my emotions. Conversely, I would also like to take on bright and kind student roles or intense melodramas. I believe there are many more faces I can show. Through this work, I hope my sincerity as a young actor who is serious about acting comes across. I will continue to strive to be an actor who showcases a diverse spectrum and a variety of characters," he concluded.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.