K-drama’s Byun Yo-han is back with The Book of Fish – but after success with Mr Sunshine, Six Flying Dragons and Misaeng: Incomplete Life, why did the Korean movie star take a two year break? – interview
- After giving up acting for two years, Byun Yo-han returns to the big screen in 2021 with director Lee Joon-ik’s philosophical new period film The Book of Fish
- Byun got his start in 2011’s Working on Holiday and appeared in hit dramas Misaeng: Incomplete Life, Six Flying Dragons and Mr Sunshine, before taking a break
It’s been a decade since actor Byun Yo-han first appeared on our screens in Working on Holiday (2011), but the South Korean actor says he feels driven and hungry to learn again. Byun has just wrapped a two-year hiatus from acting but now returns to the big screen with director Lee Joon-ik’s new period film, The Book of Fish (2021).
“After a few years of acting, I was tired and felt like I needed time to reassess my career. Having taken some time off, I now want to focus on acting, that I love so much,” he said during a recent Zoom interview.
Since making his debut in 2011, Byun has starred in many hit drama series, such as Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014), Six Flying Dragons (2015-16) and Mr Sunshine (2018) as well as films including Socialphobia (2015) and Will You Be There? (2016).
Byun said he chose The Book of Fish as his first project back because the slow-paced, black-and-white film challenged him as an actor.
In the film, the 35-year-old plays young fisherman Chang-dae who helps exiled scholar Jeong Yak-jeon (Seol Kyung-gu) write a book about sea creatures during his time on Heuksan Island.
Chang-dae’s character is more dynamic compared with the main character Jeong, who appears more considerate and quiet. Their opposite personalities are the result of different social classes and ideologies.
A strong advocate of Confucianism, Chang-dae clashes with Jeong, who is keen on accepting Western principles and Catholicism. Despite their differences, the two characters interact and find they share a connection.
Byun discussed how he prepared for the role and for starring in a black-and-white film for the first time. “It was honourable just to be part of this project, but a little challenging because an actor’s voice and gestures are important in a black-and-white film. It’s harder to convey emotions with just your facial expressions. However, I tried to represent the character as truthfully as possible,” he said.