Yeo Jin-goo takes on the challenge of playing an unconventional villain

Actor Yeo Jin-goo takes on his first villain role.

The movie 'Hijacking', which depicts the extreme situation that unfolds when a passenger plane is hijacked in the airspace of Korea in 1971, has released character stills of Yeo Jin-goo, who plays the role of hijacker Yong-dae.

Yeo Jin-goo transforms into the most unconventional villain since his debut. Yongdae, the kidnapper played by Yeo Jin-goo, is from Sokcho, Gangwon-do, lives alone with his mother, and has suffered extreme discrimination and disdain because of his older brother, who became an officer in the North Korean People's Army during the Korean War. After being wrongfully accused and serving time in prison, he boards a passenger plane with the intention of meeting his brother in North Korea. The released stills make us even more curious about his story, from the sharp charisma and force of Yong-dae, who hijacked the airliner, to the sight of him shedding tears while looking at a burning newspaper. Yongdae, played by Yeo Jin-goo, was created as a more three-dimensional and lively character thanks to his outstanding character interpretation and expressiveness. Yeo Jin-goo's delicate acting, which shows a new face for his first villain role, creates a chilling tension from his eyes to his actions, and is expected to further add to the immersion of the drama.

Yeo Jin-goo said, “It was difficult to control the depth between the villain and the character I had affection for. “I talked a lot with the director about expressing him as a more three-dimensional character,” he said, revealing how he struggled to keep the line while focusing on the emotions of the kidnapper Yongdae so that his actions would not be justified. Ha Jung-woo, who played the role of first officer Tae-in, said, “I felt persuasive while watching Yeo Jin-goo’s interpretation and expression. “I thought that with Yeo Jin-goo’s energy, he could take over this entire airliner,” he said, giving generous praise to Yeo Jin-goo for successfully showing off his new look. Director Kim Seong-han, who directed ‘Hijacking,’ said, “Yeo Jin-goo’s portrayal of Yong-dae gave the character more depth. “I think I had fun working on it thanks to the way he ran forward without hesitation,” he said, praising Yeo Jin-goo for his ability to express the character with depth.

'Hijacking' is expected to provide an intense cinematic experience by conveying in real time the imminent situation in which a passenger plane was hijacked in the skies of Korea in 1971 and the tension created by a limited space from which there is no escape. The unrivaled synergy created by the acting of trustworthy actors Ha Jung-woo, Yeo Jin-goo, Seong Dong-il, and Chae Soo-bin will captivate theaters this summer. ‘Hijacking’ is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 21st.

Ten Asia Reporter Kim Seo-yoon seogugu@tenasia.co.kr