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| ▲ This image of Korean actor Byun Yo-han is provided by TEAMHOPE. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Yonhap) -- "It felt like I was acting completely exposed. There were no devices or companions, like acting while facing a wall," said actor Byun Yo-han, reflecting on his role as Go Jeong-woo in MBC's drama Black Out (officially titled Death to Snow White: Black Out), which concluded on October 4.
In an interview on October 8 at a café in Gangnam, Seoul, Byun Yo-han shared, "Through this project, I felt my limitations, but I also realized I have room for significant growth."
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| ▲ This image of Korean actor Byun Yo-han is provided by TEAMHOPE. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Byun's role in the drama required complex and challenging acting. His character, Go Jeong-woo, wakes up from a drunken stupor only to find himself accused of murdering two friends. After being subjected to coercive police investigations, he is convicted and serves 11 years in prison. Upon release, he struggles with the stigma of being a convicted murderer.
Describing his character, Byun said, "Jeong-woo is probably the weakest character I've ever played. Every time he tries to speak up, people around him shout 'Shut up.' He’s truly a lonely character."
Black Out is a crime thriller that follows Go Jeong-woo's journey to uncover the truth behind the double murder that led to his 11-year incarceration. Based on the German novel Schneewittchen muss sterben, the drama explores Jeong-woo’s doubts about his own innocence until the discovery of his friend's remains prompts him to believe he didn't commit the crime.
Byun explained, "When his friend's remains are found, Jeong-woo becomes convinced that he wasn't the killer. Until then, he doubted himself, but this discovery changes him." Even as he faces obstacles from those trying to keep the truth hidden, Jeong-woo eventually proves his innocence through a retrial, aided by Haseol (played by Kim Bo-ra), a kind-hearted college student, and Detective Noh Sang-cheol (played by Go Jun), who is driven by a sense of justice.
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| ▲ This image of Korean actor Byun Yo-han is provided by TEAMHOPE. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Discussing the plot, Byun remarked, "It's a story where truth is concealed by selfishness, greed, and misguided beliefs, but ultimately, the truth prevails. At first, it seemed like a small light could never overcome a vast darkness, but in the end, many small, sincere lights came together to defeat the darkness."
One notable aspect of Black Out is that Go Jeong-woo, despite being wronged, does not seek personal revenge against those responsible for the cover-up or the true perpetrator, a contrast to many other dramas that focus on achieving cathartic revenge. Byun commented, "Some viewers might find Jeong-woo's actions frustrating. But I think he is a character raised by parents who understood the meaning of true love, making personal revenge seem out of place for him." He added, "Ultimately, Jeong-woo wasn't looking for revenge; he just wanted to uncover the truth and find out where his friends were. I believe this characteristic is why our drama leaves such a lasting impression."
In the final episodes, those who wronged Jeong-woo face legal consequences, while Jeong-woo, now cleared of all charges, enrolls in college to begin a new chapter. Detective Noh Sang-cheol encourages him, saying, "Just live an ordinary life." Reflecting on the ending, Byun said, "Filming those scenes, I felt an overwhelming sense of emotion, and I thought it captured the essence of our drama. I believe Jeong-woo would take Detective Noh's words to heart and live a normal life."
This year, Byun Yo-han has been busy with three consecutive projects: the film She Died released in May, Disney+ original series Uncle Samsik, and Black Out. He said with a sheepish smile, "Some of these projects were completed a while ago, but it just happened that they all came out this year." While She Died wrapped filming in 2021 and Black Out in 2022, delays pushed their releases to this year. "Despite the industry's challenges, being able to present three projects in one year makes this a special time for me," he added. Byun recently finished shooting the film Pavane, set for release next year.
Since his debut in a short film in 2011, Byun has consistently worked without taking much time off. When asked about his criteria for choosing roles, he replied, "I always find myself drawn to projects with a message." He emphasized, "Even if I had been offered a romantic comedy alongside Black Out, I would have chosen Black Out. I feel a sense of duty to portray stories with meaningful messages."
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