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| ▲ This photo provided by Netflix shows Korean actor Sol Kyung-gu who stars in the OTT giant's original series "The Whirlwind." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- "When I first received the script for 'Whirlwind,' it was very powerful and easy to read. However, I found myself hesitant to commit. I had preconceptions about the drama production environment. It felt like I would regret it whether I took the role or not."
On the 3rd, Sol Kyung-gu explained the reasons behind his first lead role in a drama series, Netflix's original 'Whirlwind,' during an interview at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
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| ▲ This photo provided by Netflix shows Korean actor Sol Kyung-gu who stars in the OTT giant's original series "The Whirlwind." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Sol expressed concerns about the drama production process. "I worried that the drama environment might exhaust me. The amount of dialogue to memorize and the tight filming schedule also made me apprehensive," he confessed.
Indeed, dramas often require actors to memorize large amounts of dialogue within a short period. Despite the challenges, Sol Kyung-gu took on the role of Park Dong-ho, who transitions from Prime Minister to President. As the lead character driving the narrative, he has a substantial portion of the dialogue.
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| ▲ This still photo of Netflix series 'The Whirlwind,' provided by the OTT giant, shows Korean actor Sol Kyung-gu who stars in the OTT giant's original series "The Whirlwind." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
He mentioned the difficulties of the drama's demanding schedule, "There wasn't enough time to monitor my performances each day, and I felt hesitant to ask for additional takes," highlighting the differences from film production. Despite initial concerns, Sol enjoyed the process, saying, "Once we started filming, it felt the same as any other set. I don't regret it; it was fun."
Currently, Sol is filming the Disney+ original series 'Hyper Knife.' After a few supporting roles in the mid-1990s, he had exclusively worked in films and theater until 'Whirlwind.'
'Whirlwind' begins with Park Dong-ho poisoning President Jang Il-joon (Kim Hong-pa). Although Jang survives initially, he falls into a coma, and Park becomes the acting president. A former prosecutor, Park was Jang's right-hand man but turns against him when Jang allies with corrupt businessmen. Framed for crimes he didn't commit, Park decides to take drastic measures to combat corruption.
Sol describes Park as a "fantasy character" with no real-life counterpart. "Park Dong-ho uses any means necessary, including committing crimes, to achieve his goals. Viewers find catharsis in his extreme actions," he explained.
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| ▲ This photo provided by Netflix shows Korean actor Sol Kyung-gu who stars in the OTT giant's original series "The Whirlwind." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Sol anticipated that viewers would empathize with Park's journey, noting, "His method of addressing wrongs through illegal and extreme measures provides a form of vicarious satisfaction since such outcomes are difficult to achieve in reality."
Reflecting on his career, Sol noted his breakout role in Lee Chang-dong's 2000 film 'Peppermint Candy,' which established him as a significant figure in Korean cinema. He starred in notable films like the 'Public Enemy' series, 'Oasis,' and 'Silmido,' Korea's first film to attract ten million viewers.
Despite his success, Sol experienced periods of struggle, especially during the 2010s with films like 'My Dictator,' 'Western Front,' and 'Lucid Dream' failing to perform well. Even recent films 'The Moon' and 'The Boys' fell short of breaking even.
When asked about his career's challenging moments, Sol admitted to frequent struggles. "As time goes by, it gets harder," he said. "It's not just physical exhaustion; it's about showing something new. Since my performances are ultimately based on myself, they can start to feel repetitive."
Sol compared acting to pottery, stating, "In pottery, if you do it for 30-40 years, you become a master. But with acting, it's different."
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