From Idol To Actor
Unlimited Scope of Activities
In 1998, group Shinhwa made their stage debut, and as a powerman on stage, Eric eventually rose to idol status. However he didn’t rest on his laurels, and in 2003 he took up the challenge of acting. However for his first project, MBC drama “Breathless”, in 2003, he was very insecure and unconfident, praying every night before sleep, and after MBC drama “Bulsae” in 2004, he seemed to have all expended all his energy and even said that he wanted to quit the entertainment industry. But he trudged on and reinvented himself as he continued to show fans his different images. In his last project before army enlistment, he challenged himself with his first sageuk drama - KBS drama Strongest Chil Woo. This decision of his encompasses Eric’s gratitude to his fans.
The condition of his back injury improved because of Strongest Chil Woo
- We heard that you didn’t have the intention to take up this project initially.
I found the script quite interesting when I first read it, but I didn’t decide right away to take it up. At that time it was close to my enlistment date, and I was concerned about my back injury, so I thought, ‘I can’t take this up’. So I met the director and explained my reasons to him. But then, people around me were persuading me, and I got swayed, so I agreed to it finally. I was concerned about the stress from my upcoming enlistment, and though my back wasn’t in a good state, the action scenes and horseriding scenes actually helped to make it better. In the end, it was my own negativity that was the obstacle. Once I decided on taking it up, the problem was solved. Lots of people have offered me tips on how to make my back better, they were really quite effective. (laughs)
- Since Chil Woo is a character that has so many dimensions, it must be hard to grasp the character.
It was adapted from an early Japanese drama, in it he’s a very charismatic and cold character. When filming started, the director said that this character is more of a commoner, just like one of the neighbours. However even so he hoped to ease the troubles of his fellow commoners. So the character changed bit by bit as filming went on. Having considered that Chil Woo is a commoner by day who transforms into a cold assassin by night, during the filming itself I changed my perception of the character being surrounded by loneliness the whole time.
- Have you watched the Japanese series?
I thought it would help to watch past adaptations for reference, so I watched the movie. The drama series is very hard to find, so I didn’t manage to watch it. The characters are much darker and more assassin-like that in our version, which has a slightly more optimistic tone. Because of this, I did have some differences in opinions with the director initially.
- The first episode wasn’t too well-received by viewers unfortunately.
We watched the first episode at the filmsite. Though the sound and editing was much better than expected, but the messageboard were filled with negative responses. After reading them I thought to myself, “I actually have so many anti’s… Am I really this bad?” But the second episode saw some positive reviews and ratings slowly climbed too. There were positive comments about my acting too. Actually episodes 1-4 were filmed at the same time, so though the inital atmosphere was kind of dark, the tone became better later on. The viewers seemed to have gotten used to my acting style and my character by then. Because of my English name Eric, and my image in Shinhwa, even the filming crew wasn’t used to seeing me like that either. (laughs)
- How did you feel about filming your first sageuk drama?
Just like how I filmed a movie after being in dramas, the feeling of appearing in a sageuk after the contemporary dramas was very refreshing. In contemporary dramas, besides bed scenes I’ve done pretty much everything else (laughs). This time round, I worked very hard on my style of speech and my actions. It was rather stressful because it’s an era that I’ve never experienced before. But no matter what kind of drama it is, I do my best for my role, and that’s the same for any kind of dramas.
- Since filming was done in the midst of summer, what was the most difficult scene for you?
There was a scene where So Yoon, Chil Woo and Chul Seok had to escape by pretending to be corpses and covering themselves on a cart. That time the sun was shining really brightly and our faces were exposed to the glaring sunlight. Although we covered our faces in between takes, but we still had to expose our faces during the actual filming. Moreover we had to stay very still (laughs), so that was really tough.
- The show performance on the horses at the beach became quite a hot topic too.
It was very fun to film that scene. Although we did the basic part of the scene, the show itself was done by Mongolian stuntmen. Looking at them displaying their skills, we wanted to try it ourselves on the mechanical horses too, it was really fun (laughs). I even learnt the whistle from the Mongolian horsemen. Although it’s supposed to be done when calling for the horse, but it’s really difficult to do it loudly. I practiced one whole night at the hostel, but Im Haryong sonbae teased me and said, “Don’t force it if you can’t do it.” (laughs)
- There were plenty of comments about the mechanical horse too.
That horse was used in the movie “The Last Samurai” too, as well as other projects. The rental fee was 100 million won. As it was difficult to get good shots from various angles if we used a real horse, so we had it specially shipped over. Though we had high expectations for this, unfortunately the results weren’t great.
- How did you take care of your health during the filming process?
Out of all my dramas, Strongest Chil Woo is the one where I’ve received the most support and concern from the fans. Fans from Japan and China came to the site and brought along food and care packages. I didn’t have any specific health regimen, but I had all the tonics from the fans. I worked even harder after seeing the efforts from the fans.
Pretty Boy
Gu Hyesun Dressed As A Man
- Did you get along well with Gu Hyesun?
I’m not the type that gets close to others easily, and Hyesun is very shy herself. Although the director told us, “You have romantic scenes together, you have to work hard at getting closer”, we never quite got close. Until we got down to filming Episode 13 where she had to be dressed as a man. Everyone who saw her called her a cute pretty boy, and treated her like a boy (laughs). From then I thought, “This boy looks fun”, and I started using informal language with her. Eventually we got more comfortable with each other, and we would toss things at each other (laughs). But when I do that, she would tell me “I’m not dressed as a guy now”. And she eats ramyeon in any free time she has. That’s the first time I’ve seen anyone eat ramyeon like that.
- How did you tackle the emotional scenes?
Although I was looking forward to the romantic scenes but this is after all a more masculine drama. After many episodes, there was finally a romantic scene (laughs). Comapred to the love story, it was more important to show the hardship the commoners suffered. But I was still glad to have romantic scenes (laughs). But I’d tell Hyesun, “Oppa doesn’t like you. Get lost.” (laughs) [HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA]
- We’ve heard about you going fishing.
When we weren’t filming, the sonbaes and I would go to areas near Mungyeong where we were filming to fish. What was unbelievable was that we caught nearly 100 fishes but we didn’t have a pot so we had to roast them over an open fire (laughs). And if we weren’t filming, we’d look just like the locals, because we would be topless and in our slippers.
[OH MY GAWD........topless..........]
- Did you miss Seoul?
Once I got back to Seoul I felt even lonelier, and though there were rest days in Seoul there were even more rest days in Mungyeong. In the past when I was staying in Yeoksam-dong in Gangnam, I could go out in slippers and shorts. But after moving to Cheongdam-dong, there are many female fans around because the Mnet building is just opposite. So I just end up staying at home. It’s really like a prison. So it’s great to be somewhere where the air is good and the water is clean, and hanging out with the fellow actors and staff. Even if we weren’t filming, we would go and have a good meal.
- Who hypes up the atmosphere on the set?
Yeon Doo (played by Kim Byul). She’s young and has her own eccentric ways. She hypes up when the filming gets tiring, and she doesn’t care even if the director is annoyed. She’s like a breath of fresh air.
All Expectations Have Been Achieved
Strongest Chil Woo
- What would you say are the similiarities between Eric and Chil Woo?
I always try my best to draw the lines clearly between work and play. Chil Woo too, he’s pretty lazy usually but when he gets into assassin mode, he has an air of righteousness. That’s similar.
- So out of all your roles so far, what is the role that is closest to Eric?
Choi Chil Woo. Not the assassin Chil Woo, but Chil Woo by day who isn’t outstanding but lives for his beliefs. In my early 20s, when I was active as Shinhwa, I took up challenges because there was a goal. But before my own goals, my prerogative was not to be a burden to others. If I could make things more perfect, it would be more easier.
You’re 30 this year, how different is it from your 20s?
In the past if I had a goal to work towards, I would just dash towards it without a second thought. It’s the same for the other members too. But now, even though achieving the goal is important, it’s most important not to make mistakes. Even if I have to do it 100 times, I will do my best, there isn’t room for even one failure. I tend to think, “If I treat people well, they’d treat me well too”. I’m thinking like an ahjusshi now (laughs).
- Were there any times when you wanted to give it all up?
(pauses) There was once, after Bulsae. I turned my phone off for about a week, and ran off to Jejudo with my friends. There was a sense of emptiness after completing a major project and I was annoyed with everything for no reason (laughs). But there was a typhoon warning when I was at Jejudo, so I headed to Busan (laughs). I just stayed at the Internet cafe, not doing anything. Taking a break after working so hard for so long, it felt a little strange because it was too quiet. I guess I was too immersed in the character, that’s why I became this way. But when I’m part of Shinhwa, because it’s not just about me, I have a responsbility towards the other members, and giving up is not an option. I don’t feel insecure because the members are by my side. But when I’m Mun Jung Hyuk, I often think about wanting to give up.
- What have you gained from Strongest Chil Woo?
A lot. I’ve been doing dramas on MBC and SBS, and this is the first KBS drama for me. And my first sageuk role is an important experience for me. I read about the criticisms about my acting, but I’m glad I got to try something that I’ve never done before, and that my health condition has improved too. Our target was to hit 15% in the ratings, and perhaps the Olympic broadcast helped in some way but the last episode did hit 15%. Because I’m the male lead, there was pressure for me to do well in order not to let the production company not to suffer any loss. To a certain extent I did achieve that, and all my expectations seem to have been achieved (laughs).
After Army Enlistment
A Regular Lifestyle And Free Time
- We heard that the members did a review of your performance.
At first it was Andy, but then it was Minwoo who kept up with the reviews. If he couldn’t watch it live, he would watch it online. “What’s that on your head?”, “Looks like Zorro’s mask”, “You don’t do a crying scene like that”, he said all kinds of irrelevant things (laughs). But throughout it all, he always sent nice messages of concern like “It must be tough on you to be outdoors on a hot day for the whole time”.
- Is there anything you’d like to say to the Shinhwa members?
Guys, I love you (laughs). Actually my biggest regret is not being able to go on a trip with just the members, without any staff members following along.
- Shinhwa members have been occupied with their solo activities, and many fans are worried about the possibility of disbanding.
That’s not our intention at all, those are just rumours. It’s impossible for Shinhwa to disband now even if we wanted to. Shinhwa doesn’t just belong to us, it also belongs to the fans and people who love us. Although we’re now focusing on our solo work, but I feel that a group will move in a better direction with solo activities. The only thing that’s different now is the way we work, there isn’t any intention of disbanding. As the longest-running group in Korea, it would be a pity to stop now. We can go on breaking records if we continue (laughs).
- What has been the biggest change in your life after you’ve enlisted?
Because it’s a fixed working schedule, I get to work and knock off at fixed timings, and my lifestyle is more regular now. And, I have a lot more personal time now. I’ve been busy with writing songs and playing games (laughs). Looking for good food and fishing is fun too.
- How does it feel living a regular life? And fans who visit your workplace, are there any incidents?
I’ve been in showbiz for 10 years before enlisting, and it’s great to be able to step out of it and reflect on myself objectively. This is exactly what I’ve wanted. I went to donate blood with my public service officer friends (laughs). Although I went there as a public service officer, there were still many fans who turned up. But compared to the initial period when I just got deployed, the fans exercise much more self-restraint now, in order not to inconvenience anyone.
- You received an award at your completion ceremony, how did you feel?
When I was in the midst of training, I thought that if I did just enough to get by, I would leave a bad impression of all public service officers. So I just worked really hard, and ended up getting an award (laughs). I’m very grateful for that. Of course it was tough, but everyone had good memories of the time we’ve spent. I think it was a great experience.
- Acting and music, what will you focus on upon your discharge from the army?
I haven’t thought about it yet. I’m planning to think about it when I’m not working. Right now I just want to make use of the time to recharge myself well. And, although it’s a little late, I hope to serve my duty to the nation well.
PROFILE: ERICBorn Mun Jung Hyuk on 16th February 1979. 180cm, 71kg, blood type B.
Family consists of parents and two elder sisters.
Graduated from Dongguk University, majoring in Theatre.
Migrated to the US with his family during high school and returned to Korea in 1998 to debut with Shinhwa. First appeared as an actor in MBC’s Breathless in 2003, and won the Best Newcomer award in 2004 for MBC’s Bulsae.
Appeared in MBC’s Super Rookie in 2005 as an office employee who got a job in a big company due to sheer luck, and in 2007 he played a Casanova who didn’t believe in true love in MBC’s Que Sera Sera.
Appeared in his first sageuk drama in 2008 with KBS’ Strongest Chil Woo.
Enlisted for military service in October 2008, currently serving as a public service officer in Seoul Metro.
Source: UB
Chi trans: 小玉@loveric
Eng trans: midnightgirl13@absolutshinhwa.wordpress.com
