“I am not a Korean-Chinese, I am not a person who came from China. I am a citizen of the Republic of Korea.”
This is part of the acceptance speech of actor Jin Seon-gyu, who received the Best Supporting Actor award at the 38th Blue Dragon Film Festival six years ago. Jin Seon-gyu clearly made a mark by winning the Best Supporting Actor award for the movie 'Crime City'. He became a 10 million actor with the movie ‘Extreme Job’ and now he is back as the leading actor.
Jin Seon-gyu debuted in the play ‘The Mirror Princess Story of Pyeonggang’. Then, in 2008, he tried his hand at the big screen with ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Weird’ and the drama with ‘Please Marry Me’. He then made his face known in the dramas ‘God of War’ and ‘Six Flying Dragons’.
'Crime City', a film not suitable for viewing by young people, is an unforgettable work for Jin Seon-gyu. This is because it attracted 6.88 million people even though it was not a movie for teenagers. Accordingly, Jin Seon-gyu won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Jin Seon-gyu held the trophy in his arms and shed tears. He said, "I am not a Korean-Chinese. I am not a person who came from China. I am a citizen of the Republic of Korea. I was nervous just coming here, so I took Cheongsimhwan. If I had known I would receive an award, I should have taken another one." There are a lot. My wife, Park Bo-kyung, must be watching somewhere at this awards ceremony. She is an actress, but she had a hard time raising two children. I love you, honey."
Jin Seon-gyu, who received the Best Supporting Actor trophy, began to transform his image through 'Extreme Job'. 'Extreme Job' attracted 16.26 million viewers through word of mouth and fun. This is the second-highest box office record in Korean film history. There is a difference of 1 million people from 1st place ‘Myeongryang’. That's how Jin Seon-gyu became a 10 million actor through 'Extreme Job'. There is also a trophy badge given only to 10 million actors when searching profiles on portal sites.
Jin Seon-gyu, who achieved box office success with the Netflix film 'Victory' and last year's 'Confidential Assignment 2: International', is starring in his first leading role in 'Count'. 'Count' is the story of Si-heon (played by Jin Seon-gyu), a former gold medalist and My Way teacher who never lets go once he bites, meets a ragtag group of hack-ass students and delivers a delightful blow to the world.
Jin Seon-gyu plays Si-heon, a former gold medalist and My Way teacher. He said he and Siheon are very similar. Jin Seon-gyu said, "It contained many things related to me. It was the story of Jinhae, my hometown, and the role of a physical education teacher that I had dreamed of before becoming an actor. I read the script with the mindset that 'Si-heon is me'. It is a work I wanted to hold on to that much." He said.
As it is the first leading role, there must be some pressure. Jin Seon-gyu confessed, "I didn't know it when I was filming, but there was more pressure as a character leading the narrative than as the main character. I worried a lot about acting well." Meanwhile, Jin Seon-gyu has appeared in many movies and attended production briefings, press screenings, etc. However, at the ‘Count’ production briefing held that day, I sat next to Park Kyung-lim for the first time.
Jin Seon-gyu said, "When I came here to introduce the movie, I said that it was my first time sitting next to (Park) Kyung-lim. I was so nervous and felt pressured. I was like that on set, but my colleagues were so well-organized that they made up for my shortcomings well. “I think we will promote it together. I am grateful that the other actors are filling in,” he said repeatedly.
Director Kwon Hyuk-jae, who directed 'Count', said Jin Seon-gyu was the right person for the role of Si-heon. Si-heon and Jin Seon-gyu were Destiny, and they felt like they had won a thousand soldiers and ten thousand horses. Director Kwon Hyuk-jae expressed satisfaction, saying, “The actors were warm and the filming was enjoyable.”
‘Count’ will be released in February. Jin Seon-gyu said, "My dream was to deliver hope and comfort to many people through a good movie. I hope it becomes a movie that can give comfort and courage to people who are going through difficult times in various ways." After a long period of obscurity, Jin Seon-gyu has now become a 10 million actor, and attention is being paid to whether Jin Seon-gyu's wish of standing tall as the leading lead will come true.
Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr