"Do Kyungsoo often expressed his disbelief in his ‘too good to be true’ luck. Working with a renowned scriptwriter, director and revered actors, being called ‘a rising star of Chungmuro1' was also a situation he found 'too good to be true'. With luck and skill right from the begining, we cannot guess where promising talent will lead. And he's a member of 'sky peircingly popular' idol group EXO too! Not as singer 'D.O' but by his given name, Do Kyungsoo met first audiences through the drama 'It's Okay, It's Love' as Jaeyeol's (Jo In-Sung's) split personality 'Kangwoo'. Though idols acting is not uncommon, he has the ability to retaining the attention of those uninterested in idols. During an entertainment program2, the MCs praises his acting while commenting, ‘has SM changes their acting teacher?’, when in fact he has never attended acting classes at the company. In the movie ‘Cart’ (November 13th release) he also portrays the role of Taeyong, a part time working boy in his teens, evoking empathy with his irregular problems. He worked through his busy idol schedule and talked with deep voice with a tidy face and intense glare. The fan’s screams gave the convenience store owner some trouble while filming, he said with smile. Like a main character from a story book, who is gaining new experiences and learning, we think we can see why the renowned scriptwriter and director chose Do Kyungsoo as their ‘drawing paper’.
читать дальшеWe heard you will be having a ‘Cart’ preview tonight? Have you already seen the film in it’s entirety?
I saw it at the Busan Center Cinema during the Busan International Film Festival in October. I didn’t know as it was my first time, but to be invited to such a film festival and to watch the film with such a large audience is a great honour. Something that doesn’t easily come even to those who dearly wish for it.
What captivated you the most?
Honestly, the only thing I saw were the seniors. When we were filming, I only had scenes with Yeom Jeong Ah senior, who had the role of my mother, so I was not able to see the others acting. Everyone worked really hard and portrayed their characters fantasticly. I was so mesmerized by it, that I regreted my own acting and found it is lacking.
I didn’t tell anyone that ‘Cart’ was my first acting audition, keeping it to myself, but I’ve had a dream of acting since I was young. So, when the opportunity presented itself to me all of a sudden, I was both stunned and very happy. When I met the director for the sсript reading, I was so nervous afterwards that I couldn’t even remember how it went. It was to the point of my hands becoming numb.
You received special tips from director Boo Ji Young?
I didn’t receive any special acting classes, but I talked with the director a lot. Everything was a first for me, with making gestures and expressions while delivering the lines was especially difficult. At the filming site, the director meticulously went over each motion, from opening a jar to opening the refridgerator. The first scene I filmed was of me at school, gazing at a friend named Soo Kyung, and even that required 16 takes, in spite of me not having a single line. It was certain that the director had a clear picture in his mind even for individual gazes.
Was it difficult to relate to the rebellious teen Tae Young’s life?
Even though I am a part of a group called EXO at the moment, I too once led a normal life and that wasn’t much different from that of Tae Young’s. I worked part time in order to save money, and even though I didn’t have a younger sister like Tae Young, I grew up with an older brother. That being said, I wasn’t a rebellious student like in the movie. The hardest scene to film was one where I become angry at my mother and ran away. I have never yelled so loudly in anger in my entire life.
You must have been a kind son?
Even though I liked playing around, I never caused trouble. I wasn’t the type of son who’d cause worry to his parents.
After the film, you starred in the drama ‘It’s Okay, It’s Love’?
Since it was my second audition, it was somewhat less nerve-wracking. At first, the character ‘Kang Woo’ was a very shy and weak character, but after the director met with me, she changed him to a livelier one. She said it would fit me more. I found out that Kang Woo was a figment of Jae Yeol’s imagination after being confirmed as part of the cast. Even after becoming aware of what would happen, I got chills while reading the ending sсript for the fourth episode, in which Kang Woo’s true identity was revealed.
Since it was an imaginary character, it wasn’t easy to portray. Writer Noh Hee Kyung helped me very much. Once, we walked around a park near her office and talked. I received advice about life, and more importantly, I understood more about Kang Woo.
When was the time you found yourself most immersed in the role of Kang Woo?
In the last episode, when Jae Yul washes Kang Woo’s feet as he says goodbye. I’m usually not the type to cry, but as I filmed that scene I cried without knowing. It was intriguing. It felt as if I really became Kang Woo. It felt as if I unknowingly acted deeper than ever before. Looking back at it now, I miss Kang Woo as much as I miss Tae Young.
How was it working with actor Jo In Sung?
I can only be thankful for his acceptance of my lacking acting skills. I learned many thing while beside him. Not only from his acting, but also Jo In Sung senior’s human qualities, and his manners and attitude towards people.
It would appear that you are a rather quick learner?
I did hear a lot about having quite a serious personality for someone of my age, and that I did not not come across as the youngest on set. More than anything, it seems like I learn so much every time I work in the outside world. There are also many things I learned while living together without the members and going through hardships with them. I had the fortune that all the people I encountered in the outside world were nice. The directors, writers, and our manager hyungs are all very good people.
Do you ever follow instincts over reason?
I do when strongly compelled. Try coming to an EXO concert, to the fans’ cheer that are heard on stage, all that energy seems to make something inside my chest explode. All my stress gets releaved once I get on stage.
What do you do in your free time?
Even before I started acting, watching films was always a hobby of mine. I especially used to enjoy action and hero genre movies, but I am looking for more diverse genres these days. I became very interested in observing the camera angles and the actors’ expressions, voices and overall acting.
You are the main vocal in your group, and also a rookie actor receiving much attention. Are there any other skills you desire, such as dancing?
I sang since I was young, because it was fun, but I learned dancing once I joined the company. I can cope with EXO’s choreographies without a problem, but then there are people who can ‘really’ dance like Chris Brown or like our team member Kai. I have a desire to dance really well to command the stage, despite my short stature.
What drives D.O and Do Kyungsoo in the entertainment industry?
I think it’s ‘something I must do’. If I did not sing or act, I’d probably do something else. But what I do right now gives me a feeling that I cannot express in words, which I feel in my heart. That is why I don’t get too stressed. I want to work hard towards a future with our members, having fun and taking care of each other.
The most memorable parts of this year were when I was able to act. While talking to writer Noh Hee Kyung during the after party for ‘It’s Okay, It’s Love’, I found myself choking up in tears, something I had never before experienced. Writer and I are the two people in this world who know Kang Woo more than anybody else. As I looked at writer’s face and said ‘please be well’, I had tears in my eyes without noticing. I want to continue experiencing new things and feel new things that I have never felt before. Whatever they may be.”
(1Note: A collective term for the the Korean film insdustry, 2 as seen here)credit: dailyexo