Director Yoon Ga-eun, known for her film 'Owner of the World,' has praised actress Seo Soo-bin for her versatility.
On the 20th, Director Yoon Ga-eun was interviewed at a café in Palpan-dong, Seoul, discussing her latest film 'Owner of the World.'
The film follows the story of 18-year-old high school student Lee Joo-in, played by Seo Soo-bin, who stands alone in refusing to participate in a school-wide petition against the release of a child sex offender.
Director Yoon has been recognized for discovering talented actors like Kim Soo-an in 'Sprout' and Choi Soo-in in 'The World of Us.' In this project, she cast newcomer Seo Soo-bin, who had no prior acting experience, as the lead.
Yoon's audition process is unique. After reviewing profiles, she engages in one-on-one conversations with actors, resembling casual chats. She then gathers those who pique her interest for group auditions, which involve improvisation or script-based scenes, akin to workshops. This method was also used for 'Owner of the World,' similar to her previous films 'The World of Us' and 'The House of Us.'
Regarding Seo Soo-bin, Yoon admitted, "I wasn't initially impressed by her profile," with a laugh. She continued, "But there was a liveliness in her eyes, a spark and vitality that intrigued me." Yoon recalled their first meeting, noting, "She was taller and more robust than I expected. Many aspiring actors today are too thin or frail, but Seo Soo-bin had an 'average build.'" She added, "When she sat down, there was a certain energy about her. She had the liveliness of today's youth, combined with an unusual sense of etiquette and discipline, which was charming."
Yoon was impressed by Seo's life experiences, saying, "Despite her young age, she had a wealth of experiences and valued each one." Seo had practiced Taekwondo for about 11 years and was teaching it to children at the time of her audition. Coincidentally, the character Lee Joo-in is also learning Taekwondo. Yoon remarked, "The protagonist was supposed to be athletic. I had considered changing the sport to match the actor's skills, but it felt like fate when Seo turned out to be skilled in Taekwondo."
Reflecting on the 'workshop audition' day, Yoon praised Seo's flexibility, saying, "During the improvisation, I discovered her versatility." She recalled, "I felt good about meeting Seo Soo-bin, but without any acting experience, I couldn't be sure of her skills. On the way to the second improvisation audition, I saw her walking ahead, holding a note, dressed in a white T-shirt and sweatpants, looking every bit like a high school student. She seemed curious and unconcerned with her surroundings. I almost called out to her but decided against it."
When asked about Seo's on-set behavior, Yoon said, "She was always the first to arrive, which was a bit overwhelming. I'm usually early, but she seemed to compete with me to be earlier." She laughed, adding, "Despite her limited experience, she adapted quickly to the set. During breaks, she enjoyed spending time with her peers, which made me slightly anxious as a director, wondering if she should prepare more. However, once the camera rolled, she was fully focused. In hindsight, I realized she must have been nervous, but she quickly learned how to relax and recharge, which was impressive."
'Owner of the World' is set to premiere on the 22nd.
By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr