SINGAPORE — Having a faultlessly precise memory might be good for
certain things, say taking examinations. But not being able to forget
anything probably wouldn’t be so great, say, that time you went on a
blind date.
In the hit Korean drama Remember (also known as
Remember — War Of The Son), Yoo Seung-ho stars as a lawyer with the
condition of hyperthymesia — an extremely detailed memory — who fights
to acquit his father, who is losing his memory due to Alzheimer’s
disease, from a crime he did not commit.
It’s an intense thriller with dark themes such as social
injustice, which means Yoo can’t be watching cat videos on YouTube in
between his takes. (Incidentally, in his other concurrently-airing show
Imaginary Cat, he plays, well, a guy who lives with a talking cat.)
A lot of focus is required for the role, he told us in an email interview — but that’s fine because he’s a pro.
After making a name for himself as a child actor in the 2002 film The
Way Home, Yoo went on to act both in films such as Blind, and in
television dramas such as Master Of Study and Operation Proposal.
Remember
is the 22-year-old’s first television drama since his discharge from
military service one year ago but, basically, this guy has been
memorising lines since he was nine. His memory must be pretty awesome,
right?
Q: The role is very intense, emotional and dark. How do you keep the stress from getting to you?
A:
You are right — this is one of the darker dramas that I have done. I
remind myself how lucky I am to be able to do what I love, and the
stress goes away. Also, I try to keep a positive attitude on set, even
during long days. I find happiness contagious — a happy person will make
others happy. Still, filming for long hours is stressful for the body —
I can’t wait to be able to sleep and laze around in bed.
Q: You seem to have crying scenes in almost every episode. Is it exhausting to force the tears out, or can you cry on cue?
A:
I have been crying since I was little! And, yes, it has been an
emotional journey for both my character and I. I have always been a very
emotional person and I think acting has played a big part in that. It
has put me more in touch with my softer, emotional side. As the years
pass, I find myself more and more sensitive to people’s feelings, which I
think is great.
Q: What is your earliest memory from childhood?
A:
I remember celebrating my birthday. I don’t remember how old I was but
the cake was larger than me and I was overjoyed. Since then, I’ve always
looked forward to celebrating birthdays — I get to choose my own cake
now.
Q: What is one memory you would like to forget?
A: I don’t
like horror movies. The thing about guys watching horror shows is that
you only feel the effects after the show is over. I start imagining
things, and, as you know, I am sensitive. I would choose to
forget all the horror shows I have watched!
Q: And what about the last time you forgot a line while filming?
A:
I usually don’t forget my lines because we rehearse each take. But I do
add in an extra word or two. I have internalised the character, so I
think my interpretation of the character does make it more realistic.
So Yoopies, he's a sensitive man (meaning he can cry if you hurt his feeling so please don't), he loves birthday cake and don't let him stay alone after watching horror movie with him coz he may get nightmares... :D
Article and image source:
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