Someday or One Day actor Greg Han opens up on his ‘surreal’ popularity in Korea, who he wants to work with, and how fame has helped him grow
- Taiwanese actor Greg Han had no idea how popular he really was in South Korea until he set foot in the airport ahead of fan meetings set for September 3 and 4
- He says working on the globally famous Someday or One Day made him develop a different mindset on how he should approach acting and his life
By Lee Gyu-lee
Taiwanese actor Hsu Kuang-han, also known as Greg Hsu and Greg Han, rose to stardom in Korea playing the lead role in the 2019 Taiwanese romance and mystery series Someday or One Day.
The series was a sensational hit in the country after streaming on major local over-the-top platforms, creating a hardcore fan base which has held various events, leading the local distributor to hold special screenings in theatres in 2021.
It’s also set for a Korean remake, starring Jeon Yeo-been and Ahn Hyo-seop.
Amid his high tide of fame, the 31-year-old Han is having his very first fan meeting event in Korea, which is scheduled for September 3 and 4.
“I’ve heard from other people that Someday or One Day is popular in Korea,” he says.
“When I saw fans in Korea holding events and gatherings, I thought it was very cute and felt touched. I’ve been wanting to come ever since and I feel honoured to have a chance to be here.”
However, it was not until he set foot in the airport upon his arrival in Korea on Sunday that he actually grasped his popularity.
“I was surprised to see how many fans were there [at the airport] at first. I was really happy that so many people came out to welcome me, but I did not expect it,” Han says.
“I am aware that there are a lot of fans but it just feels surreal, which I’m also thankful for.”
The Taiwanese time-travel series was made in 13 episodes originally but streamed globally in 21 parts on streaming sites such as Netflix.
It revolves around a complex love story between a couple, Huang Yu-hsuan (Ko Chia-yen) and Wang Quan-sheng (Han).
Huang, while grieving the death of her boyfriend Wang, is taken back in time to 1998 and wakes up in the body of another teenager who looks like her. She meets a friend who looks exactly like her late boyfriend and quickly finds herself caught up in a love triangle.
I think Korean films are well made in every aspect, from the visuals and cinematography to the directors. I really hope to take part in Korean films if I have a chance
While trying to solve the mystery behind the time travel and the couple’s relationship with their lookalikes, Huang and Wang travel in time to change their fate in the past and present.
Han says that he got the chance for his role in the series through the production team he had worked with previously.
“I liked the script itself and the subject [of its story]. The story unfolds and is about a love that many would want to watch,” he says.
“The story feels like it develops at a slow pace, but was on the right tempo enough to get viewers to empathise with it.”
The series not only became a huge hit in Korea but also garnered popularity worldwide with its cliffhangers, heart-fluttering romance and compelling performances of its lead actors.
Han says that working on the globally famous series has helped him grow and set a direction for his future.
“I didn’t expect to get this much popularity … It changed me to have a different mindset generally about how I should approach acting and my life,” he says.
“I feel I’ve grown through this series. Because I’ve started to get a lot of attention, I started to become aware of things that I haven’t [before].
“I’ve grown to see which direction I should head going forward much more clearly [since] the series aired.”
“I think Korean films are well made in every aspect, from the visuals and cinematography to the directors. I really hope to take part in Korean films if I have a chance,” he says.
“I like director Bong Joon-ho of Parasite, Park Chan-wook and Lee Chang-dong. I also want to work with actors Sol Kyung-gu, Song Kang-ho and Kim Yoon-seok, and there are many others I want to work with.”
The actor, who debuted in 2013 and has starred in various films and series, including the 2021 romance film My Love, shared that his goal as an actor is to put his best effort into every project.
“I’ve never really made a serious goal in what I should exactly be in the future,” he says. “I’m just trying to do my best in every opportunity that I meet.”
