Actor Lee Do-hyun says ‘Every scene is challenge’ on Silver Screen Debut

연합뉴스 / 2024-03-06 16:46:20

▲ A profile photo of actor Lee Do-hyun, provided by Yuehua Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, March 6 (Yonhap) -- "I think my screen debut in the movie 'Exhuma' is very successful."

Actor Lee Do-hyun, who appeared in director Jang Jae-hyun's film 'Exhuma,' shared his impressions of challenging a movie for the first time through distributor Showbox on the 6th. He enlisted in the military just before the movie's release.

'Exhuma,' which has recently surpassed a cumulative audience of 6 million, is a work that depicts mysterious events unfolding among a Feng Shui expert, a funeral director, and a shaman, who are tasked with relocating a lucrative grave.

Lee Do-hyun took on the role of Bong-gil, a disciple of the mysterious shaman Hwari (played by Kim Go-eun). Unlike the typical image of a shaman, he is a trendy shaman with tattoos all over his body, wearing headphones while exercising at the gym.

▲ This still photo from film "Exhuma," provided by Showbox on March 6, 2024, shows actor Lee Do-hyun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Regarding Bong-gil, Lee Do-hyun introduced him as "seemingly 'hip' and very delinquent in appearance, which may evoke some aversion, but in reality, he is the most humane," and emphasized that "he is not just following money but has a strong sense of responsibility."

Bong-gil assists Feng Shui expert Sang-deok (played by Choi Min-sik), funeral director Young-geun (played by Yoo Hai-jin), and mentor Hwari in confronting evil spirits. He delivers numerous scenes requiring acting skills, including possession and rituals, and even handles lengthy Japanese dialogue.

Lee Do-hyun reportedly studied Park So-dam's acting in director Jang's previous work, 'The Priests' (2015), while preparing for possession scenes.

He emphasized, "I observed that when real shamans are possessed, even their way of speaking changes drastically, so I felt that even for a moment, Bong-gil's speech should not be mine."

Having previously been active in dramas and series such as 'Sweet Home,' 'Youth of May,' 'The Baddest Mother in the World,' and 'The Glory,' Lee Do-hyun's appearance in a movie marks his first in seven years since his debut.

He confessed, "I have always acted while imagining how I would appear on television. This time, I'm really curious about how my image will be reflected on the big screen," and admitted, "(Before shooting) it was a bit scary because I had never experienced it before."

However, he expressed gratitude for being able to complete his first movie well thanks to director Jang and senior actors like Choi Min-sik, Yoo Hai-jin, and Kim Go-eun.

Lee Do-hyun said, "Since the seniors led me well, I promised to follow them well," and added, "It was an honor just to meet the seniors I wanted to work with once, and to have conversations with them."

Looking back on the filming, Lee Do-hyun reflected, "The most important thing for me during filming was to 'listen well to Teacher Hwari's words,'" and concluded, "Every scene in 'Exhuma' was a difficult challenge for me, but thanks to the advice from the director and seniors, I was able to prepare well."