#interview newsen
(TRANS ) 161227 — interview with newsen (part two)
translated byfy!wdh+originally fromnewsen by kim myungmi
please do not repost translations on tumblr and always credit page 712, or fywdh when posting elsewhere. please obtain permission before translating into other languages.
click here for an alternate version with accompanying images.
From ‘The Man Living in Our House’ to 'Master’. Even though his appearances in the two productions he participated in this year weren’t that significant [screen time wise], he left a strong impact on viewers that did not pale in comparison to the lead actors. A large number of film fanatics even showed the reaction of 'I went to go watch 'Master’ because of Lee Byeonghun, Kang Dongwon and Kim Woobin, but ended up falling for Snapback’. They’re talking about rookie actor Woo Dohwan who has just made his television [drama] debut.
Actor Woo Dohwan took on the role of Kim Wansik, an employee of Dada Finance, in the recently finished KBS 2TV [drama] 'The Man Living in Our House’. He also left a deep impression on viewers with his uncommon [special] presence in the film 'Master’ which hit cinemas on the 21st, where he played Snapback who stood on President Jin’s (Lee Byeonghun) side.
In his recent interview with newsen, Woo Dohwan reminisced about the time during the casting for [the film] 'Master’ and confessed that “it felt like a lie”. He said “because I was [going to be] working with such senior actors, I was nervous from the moment I was cast [for the role]. I think I was more nervous than when I went for the audition. I went to the script reading with the nervousness and excitement that came with the thought that 'I really have to work on a production with those people [senior actors]’” and that “Everyone was reading the script while sitting down, but it felt like I was watching the whole film unfold. [It made him think] ‘Will I be able to act amongst these people?’. I worried that I would be throwing a spanner in the works [ruining something that was almost perfect]“.
Lee Byeonghun, Kang Dongwon and Kim Woobin. To rookie actor Woo Dohwan, they are senior actors who he learns from just simply by looking at them. He revealed that "I [he] learned [about acting] just by looking at them. Whether we were drinking coffee together, eating together, or just sitting together while on standby, it felt like I was learning just by listening to the sound of their breath [them breathing]. I gained a lot of strength from them, and thought to myself that I have to work even harder. I also thought to myself that I have to work hard so I can become cool actors like them”. He added “On set, I spent a lot of time with Jin Kyung sunbaenim and she took really great care of me. Despite filming in another country, she even gave me side dishes [to eat] and bought me coffee”.
While reminiscing about the set of 'Master’, Woo Dohwan said that “when I was curious about something and asked the sunbaenims 'would it be okay if I ask you something?’, none of them showed any kind of disgust [that they didn’t want to] and taught me kindly” and said that “they taught me a lot more than what I asked, which made me think that I would be able to get a lot of advice from them if I didn’t cross the line”. Woo Dohwan continued saying that “during filming for 'The Man Living in Our House’ (Kim) Youngkwang hyung helped me to relax” and that “I [he] filmed an action scene with Youngkwang hyung where I wrapped my hand around Youngkwang hyung’s, but like an idiot, I applied too much pressure and Youngkwang hyung ended being bruised. Youngkwang hyung joked saying that 'My [his] arm hurts so much that I can’t even lift it up’, so I felt really sorry”.
Even though he appeared as a strong [fierce] character in both 'The Man Living in Our House’ and 'Master’, in reality he is actually a 'home body’ who likes staying at home. Woo Dowan revealed that “On days where I don’t have filming, I like staying at home. I watch TV, movies, read books, and write in my journal at home, and [or] go to a cafe and play on my phone”. You’re [he’s] at the age where you should be out hanging out and having drinks with friends. Woo Dohwan replied saying “I don’t really like alcohol [drinking]. Even when I meet up with friends, I just drink water. I’ve never measured my alcohol tolerance [limit] either” and joked that “But if the sunbaenims are offering me a drink then I drink well”.
Woo Dohwan, who wanted to become a pilot when he was younger, started to dream of becoming an actor while he attended an acting academy when he was 19 [years old]. His father, who used to be a theater actor, had a big influence [on his decision]. Woo Dohwan said “I was just [only] studying during the time when I was about to attend university, but started to think about whether there was something [a job] out there that would make my heart race more. It was then that I told my father that I wanted to become an actor” and that “my father thanked me for making his dream come true on his behalf”. At the statement that he must have been popular during his school days, Woo Dohwan humbly replied “I played soccer, and went to [after school studying] academies. I was really normal [average]”.
The role model of Woo Dohwan, who has just taken his first steps as an actor, is Ryu Seungbeom. He [Woo Dohwan] said “Since I was 19, I’ve wanted to become an actor like Ryu Seungbeom sunbaenim. I don’t dare to critique his acting, but I think sunbaenim is really great at pulling off an aura that is free, but not light. It is my dream to one day become an actor who can exude that kind of aura”. He continued, saying “I want to become an actor who is like a friend to the public [audience]. An actor who everyone can easily approach without any feelings of objection. I want to become an actor who can make people laugh when I laugh, and cry when I cry”.
Lastly, to the question of whether he has goals for 2017, Woo Dohwan replied “I want to [film] a lot of productions regardless of the genre, [take on] a variety of characters, meet a lot of sunbaenims, and grow [develop] more. Because I [just] started this year, I think I need to keep it going [in a good direction]. I hope that it becomes that kind of year.” revealing his strong ambitions.
(TRANS ) 161222 — interview with newsen (part one)
translated byfy!wdh+originally from newsen by kim myungmi
please do not repost translations on tumblr and always credit page 712, or fywdh when posting elsewhere. please obtain permission before translating into other languages.
click here for an alternate version with accompanying images.
A fancafe and interviews - everything is a first for him. Woo Dohwan, who safely completed his drama debut through ‘The Man Living in Our House’, is a fresh rookie who says he is nothing but thankful even over the smallest [insignificant] happenings [other] celebrities would otherwise take as a given.
Actor Woo Dohwan played the role of Wansik, an employee of Dada Finance, in KBS 2TV [drama] 'The Man Living in Our House’ where he left a strong impression on viewers with his remarkable presence. In the interview he recently had with Newsen, Woo Dohwan said “I feel like I still have to be in front of the TV on Monday and Tuesday. It still feels like I have to watch the live broadcast at 10pm, and I still can’t believe it [that it’s over]. The set [of the drama] is a place that is only filled with great memories, so I hoped that it wouldn’t come to an end. I was really happy even up until the last day of filming” revealing his thoughts on the conclusion of 'The Man Living in Our House’.
'The Man Living in Our House’ is Woo Dohwan’s first production where he has been able to make his face [himself] known [to the public]. At the question of whether a lot of people recognize him, Woo Dohwan replied saying “Not a lot of people do, but sometimes when I’m sitting in a cafe there are some people who ask me 'are you by any chance the one [person] in the drama?’. When that happens I say ‘yes, thank you’.I’m still in disbelief and a bit embarrassed. I think I’m acting for those people. They’re people I’m really thankful for”. The thing he found most fascinating was that he even has a fancafe now. Woo Dohwan continued by saying “The fact that [someone] created a fancafe is such a thankful thing to me. I can’t describe it in any other words. I’m also thankful to every single person who presses 'like’ on even one of my posts on Instagram. I think I’m acting for those people” expressing his thanks to his fans.
His debut drama production on national TV. On top of that, he acted with [some] big name senior actors. Did you [he] feel burdened? Woo Dohwan revealed that “I [he] had a lot of thoughts. Like 'What do I have to do for me to do well’ 'Is there a way for my acting not to stick out [like a sore thumb] amongst the sunbaenims’ 'Won’t I be interrupting the smooth flow [of the drama]’” and that “Once I [he] got on set, Soo Ae sunbaenim and (Kim) Youngkwang hyung - everyone took really good care of me, which was different to what I had in mind. They taught me a lot personally, and also showed me by being good examples”.
In particular, Woo Dohwan learnt a lot from Kim Youngkwang. He [Woo Dohwan] revealed that “Youngkwang hyung was really considerate towards me. I should have taken care of hyung more, but he would always come up to me first and ask 'have you eaten?’ and ask me how I was doing. He would have been really tired, but he even made an effort to look after me, so I was thankful”. He continued by saying "I think he was the hyung that taught me the most while filming the drama. I learnt [about] the attitude of the lead [main actor] and the strength [needed] to take control of the atmosphere on set while watching Youngkwang hyung. It [watching Kim Youngkwang] made me think 'It’s only possible if you have a kind personality and good character like that’ and 'I understand why people say that Kim Youngkwang is the best’”.
Regarding Soo Ae, Woo Dohwan said “With Soo Ae sunbaenim, I don’t even need to look at the expression on her face to understand the situation - I would understand just by hearing her voice delivering her lines. She’s someone who is really perfect when it comes to things like diction and tone [of voice]”. He continued saying “It [Soo Ae’s diction] is to the point where you could say it’s the ideal of [every] actor. She made me realize again the importance of diction” revealing his respect for his senior actor.
In the drama Wansik (played by Woo Dohwan) is a loyal employee of Dada Finance CEO Bae Byungwoo (Park Sangmyun), and shares the past of growing up together with Go Nangil (Kim Youngkwang) back when he used to be in the cooperation. Woo Dohwan created an air of curiosity around the ambiguous relationship with Kim Youngkwang that saw them act like friends at times, and cat-and-dog at others. And with his uncommon [special] gaze [look in his eye] and charisma, he created a heavy sense of tension - allowing him to pull off his role as a scene stealer. However Woo Dohwan said that he wasn’t satisfied with his acting and gave [scored] himself a 20 out of 100. He said “I think there’s still a long, long way to go. I’ll have to work hard in order for the day to come when I can make up for the [remaining] 80 points” revealing his strong aspirations.
In contrast to the cold image of Kim Wansik, the Woo Dohwan we met in person had the aura of a fresh young man. When asked “What is your real personality like?” he replied with “It’s [his personality] a little different to Wansik. Unlike Wansik, I’m usually sort of more the "happy happy” type that is always smiling. That’s why I wanted to play Wansik even more". At the question of what he thinks his charm points to be, he replied saying “I think it’s my eyes. I think the eyes are really important, especially to an actor, when expressing feelings. I think I will be able to show a lot [of emotion] with my eyes”.
Woo Dohwan who just took his first steps as an actor revealed that he wants to film a school themed production before he turns 30. He said “I want to try a school themed production while I can still pull off a school uniform. I really enjoyed watching the 'School’ series that have been released up until now. I want to try the kind of role Kim Woobin hyung played”.
