There is an actor who is slowly seeping into the minds of people like hanji* soaking up water. This actor is Im Juhwan, a lead character in MBC’s weekend drama, Tamra, The Island.
◇“After Boys Before Flowers, teenagers would recognize me on the subway”
Im Juhwan is a model-turn-actor who debuted in the 2004 drama, Magic (매직). He got noticed in such dramas as Don’t Worry (걱정하지마), This Love I Want to Kill (이 죽일놈의 사랑), and Snow Queen (눈의 여왕). More recently, he was in the movie, A Frozen Flower (쌍화점), and the drama, Boys Before Flowers (꽃보다 남자), making an imprint on the minds of more people.
“In Boys Before Flowers I made an appearance as Kimbum’s older brother. I think that’s when people started to pay attention to me. I use public transportation to get around. In the past, when I took the subway, people in their 20’s would recognize me, but after appearing in Boys Before Flower, teenagers would recognize me. (Laughs)”
In reality, he is not like those fortunate enough to shoot to immediate fame. He’s had some difficult times during the 6 years after his debut.
“I don’t know what is more difficult. I think that being an actor is a hard profession in itself. Everyone finds it a little difficult. Now that I am older there is mental pressure. If I put in more effort it will be better, wouldn’t it?”
Last year he was involved in a car accident and this year he was faced with the rumor of using illegal drugs. He was on the way to film for A Frozen Flower at the Movie Theme Park in Buan County in North Jeolla Province, when his vehicle collided with a cargo truck, leaving him with a neck fracture. He was given 12 weeks to recover. And this year, he was rumored to have been implicated with the model-turn-actor Ju Jihun whom was found to have inhaled illegal drugs. But in reality it was a groundless rumor.
“Sure, when the news got out at that time, I got a call from my management. I haven’t spoken to them [those involved in the drug incident] since 3 years ago. Because we started as models and have worked together, the rumors would have been expected. But because it’s not true, I was not shaken by it at all.”
◇Tamra, The Island - Park Gyu, “Life’s Turning Point”
Tamra, The Island is his first lead role in a drama. He has the role of the Joseon scholar Park Gyu, who is serving as an undercover royal investigator. He is sent to Jeju Island to investigate the Jeju tributary goods and other matters. His cover for being sent to Jeju Island is that he is ‘in exile for harassing women.’ In particular, as this drama was ambitiously produced by the same people who produced this year’s hit Boys Before Flowers, the anticipation about him was equally great once it was revealed that he was one of the main characters.
“To be honest, to say that I felt no expectation would be a lie. When a cool scene or a scene that I liked appeared, I would especially feel the expectation. I think plenty of [my] parts still have room for improvement. I think that the characters of William, played by Hwang Chanbin, and Yan, played by Lee Seonho, will be very popular.
As this is his first lead role, he felt very nervous before shooting, but he also prepared a lot for it. In particular, he watched many movies. He says that he watched films about the military and the law to help prepare for his character’s image.
“Parkgyu’s appeal is that although he is cold on the outside he is a warm-hearted person. He also risks everything to protect Beojin (played by Seowu). I watched a lot of films about the military and the law as way to help me develop speech that is sensible and sharp.”
He continued to explain about the appeal about Tamra, The Island.
“Tamra, The Island is about the people living on Jeju Island. It’s a story about the intertwining of lives and people’s struggles. Rather I’m [his character] the alien over there. You can just leave the TV on while working. I am confident that if you do that you’ll naturally be drawn to the TV. (Laughs)”
◇Actors? “Fantastic harmony”
The harmony between the actors is a given. He prides in the having this terrific harmony. The atmosphere on the set is like a family. Even if it’s not their turn to film, all the actors work together. The same goes for the staff.
“Having filmed with each other for 1 year, we can talk about all sorts of things. For me, it’s the first time that I’ve gotten this close with the staff. I get along with the actors as if they’re my brothers and sisters.”
For 5 months, since August of last year, the Tamra, The Island’s ‘family’ lived on Jeju Island while filming. Perhaps that’s why he says, with a bright smile, that he and his fellow actors have seen everything.
“I have spent 1 year with the actors. All I seem to remember is about the difficulties. (Laughs) The difficulty was due to the weather and the surrounding environment. I saw practically everything on Jeju Island. If a fellow actor was filming a difficult scene, although they [non-filming actors] didn’t experience the hardship, the rest would watch and look out for each other.”
Seowu has especially many scenes in which she gets hit and has to cry. Amongst the handsome guys she accordingly has her share of suffering. He describes Seowu as an intense actress.
“Seowu is an intense actress. She gives off the feeling as if an animal might dash off somewhere. I was taken aback when I first acted together with Seowu.”
With A Frozen Flower, Tamra, The Island, and his accident, it was a hectic 1 year and 6 months for him. “Tamra, The Island, is my acting career’s turning point. I keep telling myself, ‘Fighting.’ ”
From: Asia Economy
Reported by: Im Hyeseon (임혜선lhsro@asiae.co.kr)
Translated by: atel
Credit: news.naver.com, soompi
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