You've watched him grow up in kdrama roles but Yeo Jin Goo is not a kid anymore.
In his new film, "Hwa-Yi," the former child actor plays a killer. How could someone with such an innocent face turn out so bad? It happens because a gang kidnaps his character, Hwa-Yi when he is only a baby and he grows up among criminals.
The film's story starts with an unsuccessful blackmail scheme that leaves the gang with a baby but no ransom money. The gang decides to raise Hwa Yi and they become his family. As soon as he is old enough, Hwa Yi takes part in a crime and shoots a man. He finds a photo on the man he shot and it helps him solve the mystery of who he really is.
The film's poster shows a dark silhouette with spreading roots, which is fitting for a story about a boy exploring his origins.
"My character is like a thick root," said Yeo Jin Goo in a recent GQ Korea interview, when he was asked to explain why he chose the role. "His criminal background interested me and I also really wanted to act in an action film."
Once filming was over, he found it difficult to let go of the character.
"After the filming ended my emotions were still tangled up with the character's so I had to spend a lot of time alone," said Yeo. "Although he is only 17, the actor has an impressive resume, having appeared in the dramas "Iljimae," "Swallow the Sun," "Giant," "The Moon Embracing the Sun" and "Missing You."
"Hwa-Yi" is not his first film role, although his previous roles mostly consisted of playing younger versions of a leading character. In "Antique Bakery," he played the young Jin Hyuk. In "A Frozen Flower," he played the young Hong Rim. Because he was a leading character, "Hwa-Yi" was his longest film role.
"The film also taught me what it felt like to be in a project for a long time," he said.
As grown-up as he may seem in "Hwa Yi" or in his photo spreads in the September issues of GQ Korea, he does not want to be rushed into adulthood.
"They say my face is looking more grownup now but I am still a boy," he said. "Sometimes I want to shout out that I am not an adult yet."
No need to hurry, say netizens.
"Hwa Yi" will premiere in October. This year Yeo Jin Goo also plays Byung Ju in the film "Mr. Perfect."
