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Gong Yoo, shedding his softer image

He’s back! He went off to the military as a sweet loverboy boss in Coffee Prince, and came back a different man in his upcoming movie, The Crucible. If you’ve seen the trailer, damn — he takes his acting skills up a notch…or two…or three. In this Star News interview, Gong Yoo talks of his years in the military, what it’s like to be back and shedding his image as the typical leading romantic actor.

Gong Yoo has been typecast as the gentle and romantic guy in his previous projects.  And why not?  He was boyishly charming in Coffee Prince, and adorkably cute in Finding Mr. Destiny.  But he has taken a huge leap in his acting with The Crucible, which is based on Gong Ji-young’s novel of the same name.  The novel is based on a true story of the terror that went on behind closed doors at a school for the deaf.  (It makes me just shudder to think that the ones you should be able to entrust your chidren to can turn out to be the definition of evil in human form.)

The movie is reportedly dark, chilling, and terrifying.  Gong Yoo read the novel during his days in the military and was shocked and horrified. He decided that if the novel was ever made into a movie, he would become a part of the project. Then his personal magic genie (a.k.a talent agency) went on to buy the rights to the film, and a movie was in the making.

Receiving wide attention for this movie, Gong Yoo states that he is merely a person who relays the story, and that he was lucky enough to be brought into the project when there were so many others who have put their hearts and soul into making the film.  Hot, talented, and now modest?  Tell me he can cook, and I’ll be putty in his hands…

Even though this project is of a dark and disturbing subject, it is the first project you ran to.  Is it because you were trying to shine a light on this dark story to bring to others’ attention, or did you just find yourself going along for the ride?

I lost my sense of individuality in the military.  When I thought of getting involved in the movie, I didn’t think about how difficult it would be.  All I knew was that I wanted to do the project with every breath I took, and every move I made.  It is true that I had concerns of how to tackle the project when the filming started.  But I knew that this was a story I wanted to tell no matter how long it took to tell it.

Did you feel a sense of duty to tell the story?

It wasn’t because I felt the need or sense of duty as an actor to tell the story.  It also wasn’t because of the attention this character may bring me.  All I felt was this surge of compassion for those students in the story.  It was the images of those students who couldn’t do anything for themselves in those terrifyingly darkened alleys.  Even the people around me were wondering why I would want to do such an ominous project.  […and I guess that’s why those people aren’t Gong Yoo.]

After your discharge, you went back to the safety net of films such as Finding Mr. Destiny, but you shocked us by following that up with The Crucible.

Finding Mr. Destiny wasn’t really a safety net either.  I’m not one to keep going for safe and easy projects.  People tend to think romantic comedies are simple and easy projects.  All I thought was that I wanted to make a really good quality romantic comedy.  That’s what made me go for Finding Mr. Destiny.  It wasn’t because the movie was a feel-good fluff film which I thought I’d be good at.

The Crucible is an adventure for the actors, writers, and the investors alike.  Like the movie Voice, movies based on true stories have a weighted ambiance that is felt by the audience.

I told myself the same story before the filming started, as well as after it wrapped.  If this movie ends up doing well, then of course it is a good thing.  However, if I go into this project just hoping for a box office success, then I probably shouldn’t do it.  We all made this movie with the same thoughts and hearts.  I’m just so thankful to have been a part of it.

The image you’ve had as the gentle ladies’ man must come with a certain preconceived notion. You must have some interest in knowing how that image may have changed.

If I were to say I didn’t feel a certain amount of apprehension regarding how my image perception may have changed, I would be lying.  However, since returning from the military service, I have become more accepting and comfortable about how others may view me.  I have never had the thought to pick a project just because it was a the type of project I was used to and comfortable with.  I never had those thoughts from the beginning.  If you were to take a look at my list of projects in the past, you may think there’s quite a bit of contradiction in that.  I even had disagreements with my managers because of this and there was even an instance when I ran away because I didn’t want to do a project.  

In saying so, I hope that the first thing people talk about regarding the movie isn’t about Gong Yoo.  If the movie becomes about how Gong Yoo came to do this movie, or how Gong Yoo told the story in the movie, that really won’t do.  I worry that such talk would interfere with what The Crucible really is meant to portray.  How I have transformed for the movie isn’t what’s really important here.

As you’ve mentioned, you’re not someone who easily shows your emotions. This couldn’t have been an easy role for you to play.

Because of that reason, I had a lot of concerns.  Even working to the point of exhaustion, I still felt the pull of the character.  Even when the director told me it was fine, I couldn’t shake it off… Therefore, it was really difficult.

What did Gong Ji-young, the author of the novel, have to say?

I was worried that writer Gong Ji-young was being given the impression I was trying to negotiate doing a movie of her novel or something… but that isn’t what happened.  Just that if the novel was to be made into a movie, I wanted to become a part of it.  Luckily, she was thinking of turning the novel into a movie herself.  When it came to my acting, I was told she said it was a movie that I could tackle as an actor.  When I met her myself, she cheered me on and told me to give it my best.  I felt as though she was proud to be there to watch me bring this character to life onscreen.

How much are you hoping this movie will succeed?

I don’t think it’s right to say “Please enjoy the movie.”  I just hope that through this movie, we can increase the awareness of such heinous acts as told in the story about these students.  It would be nice if more people could feel what I felt after being made aware about this story.  If that happened, maybe such crimes could be prevented in the future… I would like to believe that.

As a popular artist, I’m sure there’s a need for you to do more popular commercial projects in the future

I would like to do an independent film sometime as well. Re-Encounter [혜화,동] was a really enjoyable movie to watch.  I really want to do a project with director Min Yong-geun.  There are a lot of people wanting me to do a television drama too.  However, my last drama, Coffee Prince, was so popular that there’s a lot of pressure in doing a television drama versus a feature film.  I would like to become an actor who can be a positive addition to the Korean film industry.

Catch Mr. Delish in his new move, The Crucible, when it opens in theaters September 22.

Via Star News

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Will be sad not to see his 'softer side' but looking forward to see his reinvention after army duty.

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Can Mr. Delish do a drama sometime soon despite wanting to do more movies? Please?

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Agreed, pretty please? Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy made me fall so hard for him!

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Hubba hubba. With cherry on top right?

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I want to watch The Crucible so bad xD too bad the day's won't pass by faster...OwO

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I have a feeling he won't be doing another drama. If that's indeed the case I'm gonna miss seeing him.

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You can't really blame the actors, either.

Why spend all those grueling hours under inhuman conditions on a 16-20 episode drama when you do films and have a life?

Ha Ji Won did SG in the middle of a bunch of films. Wonder why she came back?

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I wonder if these actors and idols get picked on or bullied in the military

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I suppose that "opens in theaters September 22" is in Korea only *sigh*. But here's to hoping they'll screen it at my local Korean Cultural Centre in London sooner rather than later....

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We can always request a showing once it comes out in DVD.

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i guess this means he's not coming back to Dramaland anytime soon. but that aside, i love his conviction and heart about wanting the story behind Crucible to be heard - not to see him in there and get caught up, but to really be digesting the story-at-hand. definitely will be watching.

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Why should he subject himself to the abuse of actors in K
dramaland such as no sleep,drips, accidents, etc when he doesn't have to? I hope he speaks up about that if appropriate someday.

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It's exciting to see him take the conscious step into films rather than tv drama. If The Crucible is the hit that it looks like it's going to be, he'll have his choice of top-level films and directors to work with for future projects. Good for him. He's worked hard and deserves his success.

(On a purely shallow note, did Finding Mr. Destiny have any obligatory post-service shower/abs scenes?) :)

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I don't remember any, but I guess it's because his role was this uberdorky dude with a mean case of OCD...but he did seem a little "buff-ier", and adorable as always... :)

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I am yet to see an actor who does cries and laughs on the camera as easily as GY. I loved him everytime he smiled in Coffee Prince, and every tear he dropped seemed so real and perfect timing.

I would really like to see him in a TV show, will help me watch him for six-eight weeks rather in a movie which is only a couple of hours.

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Oh this man. . .words can't even describe just how amazing he is. <3

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I have not read this post yet.

But I came here to say, damn he is one fine man.

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I was JUST thinking about him like 5 minutes before clicking onto dramabeans! No other TV actor has ever quite captured my heart the way Gong Yoo did in Coffee Prince. Yep, that includes my teen crushes on Noel in Felicity and Dawson in Dawson's Creek. I know...it makes me want to gag a little too. Choi Han Gyul is the ultimate romantic flawed hero. I hope a TV project comes along that is too good for him to pass up. We seriously need 16-20 hours of this man :)

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I wish that gong yoo will have a new tv drama .. i agreed with isabelle' s wrote : I would really like to see him in a TV show, will help me watch him for six-eight weeks rather in a movie which is only a couple of hours. Really miss you Gong Yoo

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:D My 1st Kdrama crush ever. *swoon* I still love him and he's still #1 in my book– always will be!

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His acting ability is no surprise to anyone(or at least to me, for I think the beach scene in CP is one of the most brilliantly executed scenes in a tv series ever, just with his eyes he conveyed such intensity that is simply moving and unforgettable), and I am glad that even though we probably won't see him in a drama in a near future, he's developing and growing as an actor and broadening his acting chops.

And now I'm going in fangirling mode: QUEEEEE BELLOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! MARRY ME GONG YOO!!!! Hahahaah....

PD: his hands are so beautiful. Men with pretty hands=turn on! :D

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aside from respect for his acting and attitude

i just keep looking at these pictures above

because he has a really solid sense of style
confident, masculine, and comfortable

its a look
i could see myself in

which
cant be said about most other hallyu stars

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I really love this guy! He's my first k-drama crush!

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Sigh, such pretty pictures!

Oh, the article... such handsome pictures!

Yes, the article was good too.

Hmm... such a gorgeous Gong Yoo!

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He decided that if the novel was ever made into a movie, he would become a part of the project. Then his personal magic genie (a.k.a talent agency) went on to buy the rights to the film, and a movie was in the making.

LOL. in other words, his talent agency was like, 'speak, gong yoo! we're here to do your bidding.'

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I didn't have a particularly good impression of GY being that first exposure to him were in the films "My Tutor Friend" (where he played the high school boss) and "Spy Girl" (awful, couldn't get past the 1st 15 minutes).

Didn't think much of his acting ability, nor did I think he was particularly good-looking (esp. to be "leading-man" material).

But my view of GY did a 180 degree turn after seeing him in "Coffee Prince" - what a superb job in acting.

It's difficult to play the arrogant son/grandson of a chaebol and yet be endearing, but boy, did GY hit it out of the ballpark - showing all the subtleties of his character's emotions.

Good for him that he cares about his craft and the quality of the project that he chooses to do.

While I don't begrudge him doing mostly films (due to exhausting work schedule a drama entails), I think we'll see him in another drama down the road if the right project comes along.

Quality scripts/projects are in short supply and I think he won't hesitate to do another drama if he feels the script is a good one.

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On a whim, I decided to rewatch My Tutor Friend, not remembering Gong Yoo's role in it. Mwahaha! Good thing he had Coffee Prince later.

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Gong Yooo
I miss yooo
I'm so blooo
Without yooo

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LOL!

You're a poet
And you don't know it?!
:)

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I had a horrible day at work...until now...*SWOONS*
Thank you:))))
Gong Yoo...Good luck with your new project :)

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Wah!!!! Gorgeousness is back!!!! So excited! Can't wait for dogani!!! Off to read!

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a very good actor with very good intentions. rare.

how do you love Gong Yoo any further? this is how.

can't wait for the movie - in english subtitles, while I continue to learn Korean.

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Great interview!

Loved this line:

"There are a lot of people wanting me to do a television drama too. However, my last drama, Coffee Prince, was so popular that there’s a lot of pressure in doing a television drama versus a feature film. "

Now, thats a sensible actor!

Kudus mate!

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he had me at his eyes. or was that his lips? wait, it has to be his smile! but i did not forget about that bod either. man, he gets to me on so many levels! i will take him any way they package him!

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not to mention his awesome acting. sorry i lost my brain for a second. i loved coffee prince and star bisquit. he is a deep actor who will be able to challenge himself to just about anything and do well and develop as a person and actor although he is pretty awesome now!

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oh I miss my husband...hahaha

I´d have to wait to see if someone upload the film...not in my greatest dream the picture will be released in my country :(

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you guys I watched the movie yesterday, and it was just horrible. And I mean that in a sense that it was extremely difficult to watch, It is a 18+ rating and there is a reason why. I covered my eyes and years more than once while watching it. Now I know I should have known what I was getting myself into before watching it, but seriously, it was just a bit too graphic. I felt sick, but I guess thats what they wanted to achieve. Anyways, this is a deeply depressing movie, bear that in mind if you plan on seeing it.
GY was amazing though, I couldn't recognize him, he's grown into a great actor.

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Gong Yoo should realize what he does in all of us. everyone was starting to go crazy, or become a poet, or a living dictionary of expletives. that's all because of him!

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my wine... he gets tastier as he matures.

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i'm be proud supportter of you

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ooppa sarngheyo....handsome and cute...i love yoo

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