#my annoying brother
[part one]
[…] Do Kyungsoo built a solid filmography with appearances in SBS’s It’s Okay, It’s Love (2014), the film Cart (2014, Bu Jiyoung), and the film Unforgettable (2016, Lee Eunhee). He has drawn attention for transitioning into an actor without once suffering the controversy that typically shadowed new idols-turned-actors. Even then, the label of ‘idol-actor’ clung to him. EXO’s name may have been his biggest blessing, but it also presented a mountain by coloring how the general public would see him.
In this interview with Sports Chosun, held before the glow from the award faded, he shook his head to the cautiously broached question of whether he had ever felt frustrated with those who judged him before even seeing him act, just for being an idol.
“To be honest, it’s really not easy to be a singer and actor at the same time. As a profession, acting asks you to immerse yourself the best you can in sensitivity and emotion, and that needs the luxury of thought and time. I think if time is scarce from trying to balance both careers, then sometimes I will fall short on one side - so if I fail to deliver as an actor to the viewer, I can see why comments of “it’s because he’s an idol” are made. And it’s true that I am a singer-turned-actor. I am still a singer, so naturally that bias could follow me.
But I don’t want to be swayed by that judgement. I want to give my all from where I stand and do both sides justice. I don’t think there is anything else I can do, except not let comments get to me and quietly do my best. And meanwhile, be grateful because even the mean comments show interest in my acting.
Whenever I start on a new project, I think of it as a new start. I still fall short as an actor in many ways, and I have to experience and study more. That’s why I think giving my best for anything is so important. I think if I keep trying to do my best, the bias and prejudice will fall away on their own.”
When asked to tell us what his personal strengths are, he became shy and struggled to answer because he was not used to complimenting himself.
“I’m still not sure what my strengths are. (laughs) I just really like being on set. It’s fun and makes me happy. I’m just enjoying those moments of happiness. A director I worked with praised me once by saying ‘you have good focus when we begin to shoot,’ but I don’t think that’s anything unique. I feel like that’s something true of every actor. Whichever set I’m on, I just want to enjoy being there while acting with my all.”
Ahead of Do Kyungsoo is the premier of the first part of the awaited Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds. He plays Private Won in this fantasy world set in the afterlife. In a movie that centers around gods, Private Won is a real and relatable character - much like Do Kyungsoo’s previous roles in Cart and Room No. 7.
“Honestly, I haven’t been choosing characters like them on purpose, but it’s true that my heart goes out to them. I think about how nice it would be if the viewer could connect with and also find strength in these characters who aren’t strong or special, but overcome difficulties in their personal circumstances.”
During an interview for his previous film Unforgettable, he had revealed, “long lines were so hard for me that I’d had mental breakdowns over them before. So senior Ha Jungwoo gave me advice.” A year later, Do Kyungsoo had taken another step forward as an actor by overcoming that phobia.
“I think, to an extent, I’ve managed to deal with much of my phobia. When I was filming for Be Positive, it was the first time I had lines that long. I was overwhelmed. But until then, I think I had only been playing the lines inside my own head. If you want to get long lines down, you have to say them out loud, which I hadn’t been doing. So on senior Ha Jungwoo’s advice, I vocalized all my lines and made noise while I practiced, so a lot of that fear left me.
For our final question, we asked what his greatest goal or motivation for acting was. He mused quietly before saying, “I’m really happy when I’m acting. I enjoy it for what it is. I’m just happy to be able to act, and I haven’t thought about doing something amazing through it. So honestly, questions about special goals or motivations with acting are hard to answer and beyond me.
But if I had to have a goal, it would be to become an actor others could connect with. I want to become an actor who could make the viewer feel deeply for the character I’m acting as. I think connection is the most important part of acting. I’m satisfied if my acting is relatable and enjoyable. So for that end, I will do my best to become a Do Kyungsoo who can be that in the future.”
source:sports chosun | translation: fydk
[part two]
November 25, 2017 was an unforgettable day for actor Do Kyungsoo and EXO’s D.O. (24). Not just for the deeply meaningful year-end concert with the EXO members and their loving fans that was held that day, but because it was also when he could call the once-in-a-lifetime Best New Actor trophy of the 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards his own.
Before Do Kyungsoo debuted as an actor, he debuted in 2012 as D.O. (stage name) in the idol group EXO, which went on to cement itself as the best among idols with its international popularity. After debuting as a singer, he began to build a filmography with appearances in SBS’s It’s Okay, It’s Love (2014), the film Cart (2014, Bu Jiyoung), and the film Unforgettable (2016, Lee Eunhee), becoming actor Do Kyungsoo without once suffering the controversy that typically shadowed new idols-turned-actors.
Then he met “Brother” (Kwon Sookyung). In it, he plays the part of blind judoka Go Dooyoung perfectly. The judging panel for the Blue Dragon Awards commented, “His acting in Brother rose above the crowd. Even while acting remarkably, he didn’t stand out in that his balance with partner Jo Jungseok was perfect. From his intonation to his attitude, he is an actor with evident potential” - and from there, Do Kyungsoo was able to hold the Best New Actor trophy.
Do Kyungsoo’s schedule is so packed that it was hard for him to find the time for this interview with Sports Chosun. He gave his thoughts on the dream-like moment of giving his thank you speech not at the venue for the Blue Dragon Film Awards in Kyunghee University’s Peace Palace, but on stage at the concurrently happening EXO concert in the Gocheok Sky Dome.
“I hadn’t been expecting the award at all. Honestly, I hadn’t even been thinking about the Blue Dragon Awards because I was too occupied with preparing for the EXO concert on the same day. We were far into the concert when we got the news that I had been given the award through the in-ears that the EXO members wore. I was shocked. My mind was all over the place because we were on stage, and the news didn’t sink in at first. I hadn’t imagined once in my life that I would be awarded Best New Actor, and all I could think about was that I was so, so grateful. It’s even more meaningful for me because it’s once-in-a-lifetime. I don’t think I received it on only my own ability. I want to tell the many people who made this possible through their efforts about how thankful I am for them. And it makes me think that I need to try harder with acting too.”
He also talked about the first speech he gave on EXO’s concert stage and the response of the EXO members who shared in the happiness.
“The EXO members weren’t too invested when I was nominated for Best New Actor. Actually, they weren’t really aware of the nomination. (laughs) But nobody was happier for me than they were when I was awarded. We were holding a birthday party for Chanyeol that day too, and between his birthday and this news, we spent a really happy time together. The members weren’t really able to tell me their congratulations during the concert because I had rushed off to be at the ceremony, but gave me a lot during dinner afterwards.”
The team behind Brother did not hold back their delight with Do Kyungsoo’s award either. Director Kwon Sookyung and Jo Jungseok had also sent their heartfelt congratulations.
“On the day of the ceremony, I received a message from Jungseok hyung. He told me, ‘I knew you would get it, Kyungsoo!’ which made me feel even more grateful for him. And director Kwon Sookyung sent his congratulations as well. He had a large part in making this possible. I’m very thankful to him.”
Do Kyungsoo added his thanks to close friend Jo Insung, who accepted the trophy on his behalf while he was still in the midst of EXO’s concert. While accepting the trophy, Jo Insung had said, “Kyungsoo said he might be late or unable to attend, so I promised over drinks to accept the award in his stead just in case. I’m here because we’re close. I will get the award to him safely.”
“I’m really thankful to Insung hyung for accepting the award on my behalf. It was a passing thought while we were having drinks because I didn’t think it would actually happen - I didn’t even dream of it becoming reality - but I asked him if, by any chance, I was awarded but was absent because of the concert, he would be the one to accept it for me. He did, and that made me even happier. He said to me at the ceremony, ‘Now that you have this, you should treat me for once.’ (laughs) I should, to something really nice. And it was such a relief that I could thank him in person at the venue after the concert had ended.”
EXO swept newcomer awards at music awards at debut. Do Kyungsoo has also been awarded Best New Actor at the 3rd APAN Star Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards for his roles in 2014 SBS drama It’s Okay, It’s Love and the 2016 film Brother. He has set an unprecedented record, a ‘triple crown’ of best newcomer awards in music, drama, and film. He was unable to hide his surprise at the reporter’s request for his thoughts on this triple crown, asking “I have a triple crown?”
”I hadn’t realized that I have a triple crown. (laughs) I think I’m being given a lot of love as a member of EXO, and a lot of encouragement and love as an actor as well. All I can really say is ‘thank you’ to those who would help and love me.”
When asked about the secret to showing his best sides in music, dramas, and movies, he had said, “It’s not by only my own ability,” turning the focus to the ever-present project crews.
“To be honest, it can be hard on my body to keep up with both stages and dramas or movies. But I try to stay positive whenever that happens. And most of all, even if it’s a little hard to handle packed schedules, it helps that I’m doing what I love with music and acting. I believe that I’m able to balance them because the manager hyungs are always there to take care of me, and because of the support of the crews on site, the directors, and the countless others who are there to help and support me.”
source:sports chosun | translation: fydk
