Adolescence is a time of growth and discovery, often marked by both immaturity and beauty. The film 'Five Minutes with You' captures this essence through the story of two high school boys who bond over their shared love for unconventional music. Actor Hyun Woo-seok brings to life a character who is both mature and childlike, embodying the spirit of youth with sincerity.
On October 31, at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, we met with Hyun Woo-seok, who stars in 'Five Minutes with You,' set to release on November 5. The film is set in 2001, a time when everything felt new and exciting, and follows the story of two boys who share their favorite music and secrets. Hyun Woo-seok plays Jae-min, a model student and popular class president who befriends the new transfer student, Kyung-hwan, played by Shim Hyun-seo.
The film explores themes of friendship and love, with a subtle BL (Boys' Love) undertone. While the emotions between the two characters are not explicitly defined, the film beautifully portrays the budding feelings between them.
Hyun Woo-seok shared, "I didn't focus too much on the BL aspect. I always wanted to try this genre." He added, "Kyung-hwan and Jae-min share an emotional connection. From one perspective, it's friendship, and from another, it's about young people finding themselves. Friends can like each other without it being love. I liked these emotions and agreed to the role without hesitation."
Set in 2001, the film evokes a sense of nostalgia with its analog charm. Hyun Woo-seok, born in the same year, said, "I can't fully remember that time, but I have vague childhood memories. I prepared by watching documentaries and YouTube videos. I joked about visiting famous places if I had been born then. I imagined what it would be like to live in such a romantic era." He continued, "The director showed us many props and photos before filming. I remember using thick computer monitors as a child, and later, thinner ones in elementary school. I feel a connection to old songs and nostalgia."
The film is set in Daegu, showcasing locations like Jeil Theater, Woobang Land, and the underground shopping mall in Dongseong-ro, where teenagers spent their time. The actors also learned the Daegu dialect. Hyun Woo-seok found this aspect challenging, saying, "The dialect was the most challenging part for me. It was a fresh and significant challenge." He added, "The director, a Daegu native, helped us practice the dialect and introduced us to Daegu's culture and cuisine. We met two to three times a week for practice, and the director recorded and checked our intonation. It was also a time to bond with Hyun-seo."
Born in 2001 in Chuncheon, Hyun Woo-seok has a fondness for analog nostalgia. He shared, "I love the songs of Kim Kwang-seok and Yoo Jae-ha. Good music transcends time." When asked why he likes old songs, he said, "My father always played 'Though I Loved You' while driving. It was romantic, and I think I inherited that."
When asked about a meaningful song, Hyun Woo-seok chose Kim Kwang-seok's 'A Night Alone.' Originally by Ji Geun-sik in 1994, Kim Kwang-seok remade it. Hyun Woo-seok reminisced, "I started modeling in high school. I loved traveling between Chuncheon and Seoul by bus, enjoying the sky. Sometimes, the sunset was beautiful, and other times, only streetlights lit the way. During those times, I often listened to 'A Night Alone.' It's a healing song for me."
In the film, Lee Dong-hwi plays a teacher. Hyun Woo-seok said, "He was very approachable. I was surprised he knew me and had watched 'Big Sleep,' my previous film." 'Big Sleep' (2023) is an independent film about runaway teenagers. Hyun Woo-seok expressed gratitude, "He encouraged me to act freely. We didn't have many scenes together, but he made me feel comfortable."
Hyun Woo-seok has lost 10kg since filming, having gained weight to portray a youthful high school student. He said, "It was a fresh and youthful film. I've been looking forward to its release. I hope audiences find it charming. It's a perfect film for the colder season."
Hyun Woo-seok's next project is the Netflix series 'Girigo,' which wrapped filming in August. 'Girigo' follows high school students who use an app to fulfill their wishes but must escape its curse. Hyun Woo-seok plays Ha-jun, a 'brain' interested in coding and uncovering the app's secrets. 'Girigo' marks his first lead role in a commercial project.
Regarding his casting in 'Girigo,' Hyun Woo-seok said, "I was so excited I couldn't sleep for three days." He added, "I approached it with the same mindset as my previous projects, so I didn't feel a difference between independent and commercial films. The only difference was the heightened tension."
When asked about his future as an actor, he said, "I often say, 'It's not something I'll do for just a day or two.' I want to continue steadily and slowly. I hope to look back on each project with pride. I want to give my best effort." He emphasized, "I once watched a film that deeply resonated with me, and I realized that genuine acting can evoke empathy. My ultimate goal is to become an actor who can provide that empathy."
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr