Spotlighting the Shining Stars of the Entertainment Industry.
"Working with senior actress Chun Woo-hee was a humbling experience. It's rare to see someone with such a seasoned career and high status show so much respect to a newcomer."
These are the words of actor Hong Seung-bum, the winner of the survival audition program 'Casting 1147km' (hereafter '1147km'). We met him on the 1st of this month at the Ten Asia office in Jungnim-dong, Seoul. Born in 1991, Hong was the oldest among the six contestants on '1147km', yet he clinched the top spot with his unwavering determination and fresh enthusiasm. Since debuting in the 2017 SBS drama 'Judge vs. Judge', Hong has steadily built his filmography with roles in 'My Strange Hero', 'Kkondae Intern', 'The Heavenly Idol', and 'Delightfully Deceitful'.
'1147km' combines an audition program with a reality show format. The title '1147km' signifies the distance between Seoul and Tokyo, aiming to capture the dreams and challenges of young actors transcending borders and cultures. The participants ranged from complete novices to actors with nine years of experience, each with unique backgrounds. They lived together, competing for the lead male role, and showcased a journey of growth filled with both rivalry and camaraderie through acting missions and self-expression tasks.
Hong Seung-bum reminisced about his time with Chun Woo-hee, whom he met while filming the 2023 tvN drama 'Delightfully Deceitful'. He shared, "I've been fortunate never to have encountered a difficult actor in my career. Among the many great people I've worked with, Chun Woo-hee stands out."
"We had a scene together that was crucial for me. I was under a lot of pressure, and my emotions weren't coming through. That's when Woo-hee asked me, 'What are you feeling right now?' and suggested, 'If it were me, I might try it this way,' drawing me out through conversation."
Hong recalled, "She didn't just tell me what to do; she was attentive to my state and considerate. After my scene, when it was her turn, she noticed my emotions had surfaced and suggested to the crew, 'It might be good to capture that again.' It's hard for a newcomer to ask for another take. Despite her own demanding schedule, she did that for me, and I'm incredibly grateful."
"I hope to act with Chun Woo-hee again once I've grown more as an actor. It doesn't have to be as co-stars. That moment from two years ago still inspires me. I aspire to become an actor who, like Woo-hee, is considerate of others."
Hong, who has mostly avoided romantic genres in his career, expressed, "I've always wanted to try different genres. That hasn't changed, but after rewatching the film 'A Moment to Remember', I now have a desire to take on a poignant melodrama."
The prize for winning '1147km' is a lead role in a romance drama. Hong said, "After being confirmed for '1147km', I rewatched 'Another Miss Oh'. Seo Hyun-jin's character and performance left a strong impression on me. I want to portray a character who, despite being weary and hurt by love, can't help but love again."
Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr