The man with a double life
> Fast rising star Yoon Kyun Sang plays an escaped convict who hides in plain sight as a cop in the Korean TV series, Doubtful Victory
YOON KYUN SANG made his acting debut in the drama Faith in 2012, and has slowly built a fan base, thanks to roles in Six Flying Dragons and Doctors, which earned him nods at the Grimae Awards.
Last year, he landed his first leading role in Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People, and he continues to charm audiences with his latest series, Doubtful Victory ( top).
Doubtful Victory revolves around Kim Jong-Sam (Yoon, right), who is sentenced to death row for a crime he did not commit.
He DIRECTOR Steven Soderbergh ( Traffic, Erin Brockovich) explores the psychological underpinnings of love and murder in a small town, blurring the line between reality and memory, in his latest six-part HBO limited series Mosaic.
Set against the backdrop of a mountain resort town, Mosaic follows popular children’s book author and illustrator Olivia Lake (played by Sharon Stone), whose literary success makes her a local celebrity in the tight-knit community.
At the town’s annual fundraiser, where she is accompanied by her trusted friend and confidante J.C. (Paul Reubens), she sets her sights on a handsome, young newcomer, aspiring graphic artist Joel Hurley ( Garrett escapes, but in order to be provided a new identity, he has to find a hidden stash of money for a group of criminals. Somehow, in his quest for a new life, he ends up pretending to be Oh IlSeung, a detective who is part of the Investigation Unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The series also stars Jung Hye Song as Oh’s Hedlund).
Encouraged by the doting and flirtatious Olivia, he accepts her offer for a place to stay and work, but the romantic love interest.
In a question-and-answer transcript provided by One HD, Yoon talks about his work on the series.
Korean showbiz is quite competitive. In your view, how can someone have an edge over the others? “I think it’s not about ‘having an edge over the others’, or ‘competing against others’. Instead, I think every actor is working really hard for his or her character in each project.
“The audience will be the one who supports, sympathises, and even criticises the actor. All those different opinions come from the viewers, because they felt the charm of the actors in the drama.
“Therefore, I think there’s no other way but for actors to try their best in their own roles.”
What is your favourite aspect of “I love every element and it’s so difficult to pick just one.
“The character was once a criminal who had been sentenced to death, and then suddenly becomes a detective. So it’s really funny, because he doesn’t know how to do his job properly.
“The character also grows as a person throughout the show. Keep watching, because the series contains many more fun elements as the story progresses.”
There was an underwater rescue scene. Was it tough to shoot? “The weather was really cold. We talked a lot unexpected arrival of Joel’s girlfriend, Laura (Maya Kazan), sends Olivia into a jealous tailspin.
Olivia subsequently has a about it, and went through rehearsals.
“It must have been tough for everyone (including myself and the crew) – but we had put in 100% worth of effort.”
What was it like working with Jung? “The chemistry between us seems really good!
“It’s not only Hye Seong though. We all have good chemistry with each other – with my [fellow] actors, and the directors and writers.”
Do you share any similar traits with the character you play? “Sometimes I can be little bit sloppy. As Jong Sam becomes Il Seung, I myself [am living the] life of another character, so I think both of us are similar in this aspect.” chance meeting with charming stranger Eric Neill (Frederick Weller), another new arrival in town, whose duplicitous intentions to sweep her off airs on One HD (Astro channel 393) on Thursdays and Fridays at 8.10pm.