On a warm day in September 2009, we had the pleasure of interviewing actor Oh Yeong-su for his role in the MBC TV series “Queen Seondeok.”
During his interview, he had asked us a question of his own. With hesitation, he asked,
"Did.. any of you think I went a little overboard with my acting?”
Today marks thirteen years since he asked us that question. Thirteen years ago, way after his success as a seasoned veteran in the acting field, he still had doubts regarding his work.
“It’s easy to over accentuate or exaggerate your acting if you’ve done musicals and theater. It’s my responsibility to close that gap. I still have a long way to go before I’m at ease with myself and my acting.”
What was astounding about Oh Yeong-su, was his attitude towards his acting and himself. He was well into his 41st year in the business when we had the chance to interview him in 2009. However, he was unpretentious and as modest as one can be. He was his best critic when it came to his craft. Eventually, Oh Yeong-su would go on to become the international superstar that we all know and love.
Then one day, the inevitable finally happened. He would go on to make history on January 10th, 2022. Actor Oh Yeong-su was awarded for his performance in the hit Netflix series, “Squid Game” at the 79th annual Golden Globes. He plays the role of 001 in the popular series.
Although the actor achieved international stardom, he didn’t let it get in the way of his views concerning acting. After “Squid Games”, he simply went back to his old routes, in the theater business.
“I complimented myself for the first time, after I heard the news regarding the award (Golden Globes). It’s no longer us inside this world, it’s the world inside of us. I’m clutching onto my culture, embracing the love for my family a little tighter, and I thank everyone who has shown me immense support, all over the world. I hope you all continue to live a beautiful life. Thank you.”
Oh Yeong-su plays the character of “Freud” in his upcoming theater release, “Last Session.” Tickets are available from January 7th, 2022, till March 6th, 2022.
Regarding his acting career, he remarked, “I’m in the theater business. It’s where I first embarked on this long journey, and where my goal continues to lay.”
He continued to be modest throughout the interview,
”Taking on the role of Freud and making it my own was an incredibly difficult process. I feel as if I am lacking in the sense that I haven’t completely transitioned into my character, for that, I am sorry to the audience.”
Actor Oh Yeong-su is a skilled actor and critic to his art. He still continues to view his craft through the scope of an inexperienced actor. We conclude this article with a phrase he left us, thirteen years ago.
“The first steps I ever took in this route was theater, and I intend for it to be my last as well. I think acting in theater has really broadened my view of this world in ways that paint it beautifully, and of value. An actor can live many different lives through their work, and in turn, the audience always has something to take and learn from the acting. This is why I act, and why I feel like it’s a sense of duty.”
Actor Oh Yeong-su is a superstar in the acting and entertainment world. However, as luxurious as a Golden Globe award is, we aren’t sure if that’s what we can use as evidence of his ongoing dreams. Oh Yeong-su is a beautiful and kind-hearted actor who views the audience’s perception of his acting as more useful and of value than an award, no matter how big it may be.
<Photo credits= Dispatch DB, KBS screenshots, Netflix>
<Translated by=Justina Kim(Dispatch)>
