MOVIE
Park Seong-gwang "I'll be proud of being a comedian until I die"
Interview with director Park Seong-kwang of the movie ‘Woongnam’

Comedian Park Seong-kwang revealed the dream hidden in his heart through the movie 'Woongnam'. Park Seong-gwang is also there because there were seniors named Lee Gyeong-gyu and Shim Hyeong-rae who took the challenge of becoming a film director one step ahead of him. Park Seong-gwang, who said that laughter will last forever, said that he wants to be a comedian until he dies.

Park Seong-gwang said, "Actually, I wanted to become an actor when I was in high school. So I went to an acting academy. I took the theater and film department exam, but I failed in acting. I thought I couldn't do it, so I thought about taking the exam again. So I changed my mind. “If you like theater, I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to make others shine. When I got into it, I couldn’t hide my talent. I stood out and had fun in it, so I created my own comedy club,” he said.

Although it was a very short film, Park Seong-gwang directed 'Yuk' in 2011 at his recommendation. He said, "There was a short film festival and they said it wouldn't be difficult to try. I was hooked and decided to make it right away. That's how I started my first work. I wasn't good enough, but the film was screened and people laughed while watching it. It was fun to see my acting. "He laughed when he saw what I had directed. After seeing that, I told him to study hard and make it right."

Park Seong-gwang said, "Then one day, we met at a film festival. He casually said, 'Please take a picture of me with his daughter.' I was embarrassed. It was very difficult for a while. The moment I let go of my presumptuous greed, I got a call from the production company. 'Woong-nam said.' 'He asked me if I could come and see it. I went and the script was good. I said, 'If you give me a suggestion, I want to make it an action comedy.' He entrusted me with the adaptation, and I changed it to an action comedy while thinking of senior Park Sung-woong." He explained.

Also, "In a way, I think I am who I am because of my seniors. If I have a chance to say this in a good position, I want to say, 'I was able to come to this place because of the path that my seniors paved. I am grateful.' Because my seniors started it all. “I am here. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been, but I feel it,” he said. “I am always grateful to my seniors in many ways. I was also influenced by the failure of senior Lee Gyeong-gyu. That you should not do it this way, that you should not do it with your own money, and that it is important to receive investment.” “I heard it was a goal and I learned a lot,” he said.

Since it is my first time directing a Sang-yeop movie, there are many things I regret. Park Seong-kwang said, "As I am a novice director, I feel that my directing skills were lacking. I should have drawn the mise-en-scène and emotional parts well in my head, whether it be moving or cutting, and then went to the scene, but I was lacking in conveying the emotions. The costumes and other aspects were noticeable. I felt like there was a lot. It's always a series of regrets. My heart hurts so much. I think I could make it well if I have the next chance. If God gives me the ability, I know it will be edited, so I'll only film what I can without making it in 2 hours and 50 minutes. “I will do it,” he said.

Lastly, Park Seong-kwang said, "My goal was until the release of 'Woongnam'. My goal after the release is still there. In the past, I had set long goals, but now that I am over 40, I plan to take things step by step, little by little, without looking too far. Be generous. Let's look at it, I would like to be evaluated by many people as 'still a good director for a comedian'. My goal is to make the movie of my life, so much so that when I asked what the movie of my life was, I was told that my movie was the movie of my life."
Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr