Actor Seol Kyung-gu has returned with a 'rough face' in the Netflix series 'Rodent.' Known for his strong presence and sharp energy in films like 'Good News,' 'Windstorm,' and 'Ordinary Family,' as well as the drama 'Hyperknife,' he portrays Noja, a loan shark who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. In his pursuit of lost money, Noja becomes embroiled in unexpected events, revealing a character that is both cold and dangerous yet possesses human vulnerabilities. Seol Kyung-gu enhances Noja's risky and human charm with his unique charisma and raw energy.
"The character was challenging. However, Director Kim Hong-sun allowed me the freedom to express myself. I was comfortable working with Ryu Jun-yeol, as we knew each other personally. The director doesn't provide detailed notes and tends to let actors take the lead, which allowed me to explore my own ideas. While that could be a downside, it was comfortable for me," he said.
Seol Kyung-gu focused on balancing Noja's rough exterior with his human flaws. He aimed to show a range of expressions that varied depending on the situation and the characters he interacted with.
"I wanted the initial impression to be harsh. However, maintaining that heaviness throughout all ten episodes seemed unrealistic. I thought the interplay between a fierce appearance and a vacant demeanor would create a sense of humanity and depth. It wasn't a calculated division between scenes; it felt more natural, depending on the interaction. When I was with Jun-yeol, we became a bit clumsy together, and when meeting (Kim) Seong-o's character, I became rougher. I wanted to create a multi-dimensional character through these variations," he explained.
The contrast between Noja and Moon-jae, who are nearly opposites in personality and pace, became clearer through their interactions. Seol Kyung-gu believes this contrast enhances both characters.
"I couldn't do it alone. Moon-jae and Noja are completely different characters. From eating hamburgers to their personalities, Moon-jae is frustrating, while Noja is quick. That contrast was well portrayed, and we helped each other in embodying our characters," he noted.
His chemistry with Ryu Jun-yeol also developed naturally. Seol Kyung-gu described Ryu Jun-yeol as an actor who prepares not only for his role but for the entire scene, which fostered lively discussions on set.
"Jun-yeol comes prepared with a lot of ideas. Usually, actors only prepare for their parts, but he discusses the overall scene. At first, I thought, 'Oh, how cocky,' but then I thought, 'Let's try that.' After that, we would agree on what worked and what didn't, and it became enjoyable. I appreciated his input," he said.
Seol Kyung-gu's initial impression of Noja was that of a 'free-spirited human.' Unlike characters who are chased like a rodent or are in extreme anxiety like Moon-jae, Noja feels closer to a free individual after leaving his organization.
"After leaving the organization, he felt like a free man. He was less constrained than a rodent and didn't feel as pursued as Moon-jae. That might have made it easier for me. He had that sense of being unbound. However, the scene where he meets a character in a sushi restaurant felt a bit unsettling. It wasn't so much a calculated construction as it was a feeling I had," he shared.
Action scenes, particularly in confined spaces, posed challenges. Seol Kyung-gu recalled a scene in the backseat of a car, which, although brief in the final cut, was lengthy and strenuous during filming.
"The scene in the backseat of the car was a bit tough. The space was too cramped, and we bumped into each other. I told my co-stars, 'I might hit you, bear with it, I'm sorry.' I probably hit them a couple of times. Being a senior, I couldn't say anything, so I felt bad. The tight space made it hard to avoid punches, and that was a bit overwhelming. It passed quickly in the final cut, but the filming took quite a while," he explained.
Seol Kyung-gu believes that if 'Rodent' were to continue for another episode, Noja would need to face his consequences. He envisions Noja's ending as one of acceptance rather than escape.
"I think Noja should be held accountable. I believe he would accept it with dignity. That way, he could live a life before his wrongdoings. I don't think losing the use of one arm would suffice to erase his wrongdoings. If someone from the countryside came to arrest him, I think Noja would accept it. It's like when a mother sees her son after years and treats him like someone who just stepped out for a moment. That one line would validate the pre-wrongdoing version of me, so I think he could accept it afterward," he said.
Interestingly, despite Noja's clear wrongdoing, there are points where he garners audience support. Seol Kyung-gu attributes this to the 'human scent' emanating from the character.
"Perhaps it's because he has a human scent. He commits wrongdoings, but he also has a vacant and clumsy side. He seems to have many flaws. I think I wanted to add a human touch to the parts the writer intended to be heavier. The character of Moon-jae helped with that. He’s a character that requires a lot of care, and even though you want to hit and curse at him, you have to protect him. I think those aspects were viewed positively," he reflected.
Seol Kyung-gu does not believe that adding humanity to a potentially unlikable character was an overly calculated result. He explained that the visible traits within the character aligned with the writer and director's vision.
"I didn't force it; if the writer or director disagreed, they would have said so. But perhaps it aligned well. I think there were already visible traits within the character," he said.
For an actor who has shown various faces over the years, the phrase 'Seol Kyung-gu's acting' can sometimes feel burdensome. He understands the evaluations that seasoned actors inevitably face. Nevertheless, he stated that striving for variation is part of an actor's job.
"I think everyone knows that. But there are also comments like, 'He’s the same in every project, it’s boring.' I think seasoned actors hear that a lot. It’s unavoidable because it’s what I do. So, I struggle to introduce changes. I try to bring in variations, but I’m still me," he said.
There was a time when he felt a strong compulsion for change. However, Seol Kyung-gu now focuses more on gradually evolving within the story rather than trying to erase himself completely.
"I used to feel that way. But once I realized that it wasn't possible, I became more focused on the story. Of course, that feeling still lingers. I try not to repeat previous characters and aim for gradual variations. But now, I think that has diminished a bit. After all, it’s me, and I find it interesting to change and evolve within the story," he concluded.
Finally, Seol Kyung-gu urged viewers who might feel burdened by the ten-episode format to engage with the series with affection. He emphasized that 'Rodent' is a work that requires attention rather than passive viewing.
"Watching all ten episodes at once or within two days isn't easy. However, if you watch it with affection, I think you can appreciate it. Each episode has a well-crafted ending. However, it’s not a work that’s easy to watch at home. It’s not something you can watch while going about your daily life. It requires focus, and I believe that if you only watch the first two or three episodes, you’ll want to continue. It’s a work that can break if you lose focus, so I hope you watch it with affection.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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