Kwon Sang Woo Interview "Acting Becomes a Bigger Worry as I Get Older"

Interview with Kwon Sang Woo who played the character Ha Ryoo in the SBS drama "Yawang".

The SBS drama "Yawang" that ended recently featured top actors like Kwon Sang Woo and Soo Ae. The drama "Yawang" was one of the hottest dramas that aired. The last episode received approximately 25.8% viewing rate

Regarding the popularity of the drama, Kwon Sang Woo stated, "I don't think there will be many other dramas that will be able to break this record." A lot of people who were present during the interview seemed to think the same especially since it is extremely rare to see a weekend drama go over 20% viewing rate.

Even though the drama "Yawang" was a huge hit and Kwon Sang Woo contributed a lot to the successful completion of the 24-episode-drama, he appeared to be somewhat discontent.

** "I Wouldn't Have Taken Revenge If It Were Me"

The drama "Yawang" received a lot of attention for Kwon Sang Woo's hopeless love for a woman who was only interested in taking advantage of him.

Kwon Sang Woo stated, "I was very happy that the viewing rates were always high. The atmosphere on the set was good as well. However, it always felts like I went into the shower but came out without washing away the dirt. Stories of long dramas like ones with 24 episodes tend to drift off pointlessly at one time or another but I was disappointed because it felt like the drama didn't find its way back."

Why does Kwon Sang Woo feel discontent?

He answered, "First off, actors should film after understanding their characters so that they can convince the viewers to follow along. However, Ha Ryoo began to lose his character and it felt as though the drama could continue even without him. I would show up on set after reading the script all night but I was delivering the same thing over and over again to the viewers. Even if the lines are long I can get it into my head and work to portray those emotions.. " but he explained that he felt that he couldn't portray his character well enough.

Kwon Sang Woo continued, "I don't know how far I've come as an actor. I don't think it will be easy for another drama to receive over 25% but I don't think the viewers liked Kwon Sang Woo the actor as much as they liked the drama. To be honest, I think everything about Ha Ryoo's character became revealed in the first four episodes. I think viewers got hopeful from seeing Ha Ryoo in the beginning and continued to cheer for me. I heart was rejecting half of the script... actors are human too... I was rejecting them before I could get a chance to memorize them. Those times were actually the hardest (laugh)."

When Kwon Sang Woo was asked to pick which revenge felt the best, he answered, "I don't think there was a revenge that felt good. He should have killed her way at the beginning..." Then he was asked what he would do if he were in Ha Ryoo's situation, he stated, "I it were me, I would just forget about her. What will I get out taking revenge on a woman who deserted her husband and child.."

Kwon Sang Woo spoke, "After each project, I should feel 'Yeah, I worked hard' whether it is successful or not. However, I don't think I feel that way. I still don't have complaints about the system though. If there are people who say the system should change, they shouldn't' film dramas. There are some good things about the rushed system and from this system; a special bond between the staff and the actors is created. Of course, it would be good to begin filming after the script has been completed. Also, as the story progressed further and further, the main male character didn't see much of the main female character. They should have constantly been around each other to argue and hate each other more but "Yawang" lacked the ability to do its job as a love drama."

** "Soo Ae Deserves the Award. The Atmosphere on Set Was So Great."

Kwon Sang Woo explained that he was discontent because of the lack of progress he made as an actor and he did not intend on speaking ill of the drama. He also mentioned that laughter was always present on set.

Kwon Sang Woo added, "To be honest, I didn't want to go against 'The Horse Heeler' (laugh) since the viewing rate remains pretty constant for historical dramas. When the viewing rate came out to be very similar to 'The Horse Heeler', I was very surprised and thought we won. The atmosphere on set was so great. The people were great and laughing didn't end. We were able to film happily since the viewing rate was always high. Even if the story is great, the atmosphere on set can't be good if the viewing rate is bad in reality."

He continued, "Soo Ae must have been very stressed. She was referred to as the national antagonist but that was only possible because she is a very talented actress. If an actress without the appropriate skills had to portray Joo Da Hae, she might have been hated even more and she could even lower the viewing rate. I told the director the same thing, that Soo Ae deserves the award with the highest honor. From the remaining half of the story, Soo Ae was leading the whole drama. Ha Ryoo didn't have much screen time to be honest. It would be embarrassing for me to get the award."

Kwon Sang Woo continued, "Yunho was under a lot of pressure but he is so polite and great. He is so innocently kind and very loyal as well. In a way, he is like a God in singing industry. He is a very attractive person. At the end he was a very good actor as well. I think he matured a lot through this project. Of all the people I met, he was the most surprising person I've met."

Kwon Sang Woo continued, "As I grow older, I think I need to win with my acting. That is, if I get a chance to keep acting well into my 40s. I think that's why I worry more. I like me. No matter who I meet, I want to be honest and approach them as a human being. I don't want to change myself."