Ahn Hyo Seop walked on the stage in very casual white Bench tee and light denim pants, to meet the press—a very casual stride and wave at the gathering. He just arrived that very same noon, Saturday, October 7, from Seoul. His hair, much longer that his ‘do in the dramas, and his slimmer frame made him look like a very regular, casual guy.
However, his Q/A that followed showed this celebrated Korean actor (Business Proposal, Dr. Romantic, A Time Called You, Lovers of the Red Sky, etc) is beyond casual. The Canadian-born actor is highly introspective; he was always deep in thought when he answered the questions. He could draw insights even from the simplest topics, such as his roles in Business Proposal or Dr. Romantic, or about his fans.
Ahn Hyo Seop is the latest brand ambassador of the global Filipino retail chain, Bench, its latest #GlobalBenchSetter, and is in Manila for the #HereAndNow fan meet.
Excerpts from his presscon hosted by Sam Oh:
Welcome to the Philippines! This is your first time visiting the country….
It’s actually my first time to come here to the Philippines. I’m really excited because I just arrived this morning.
How does it feel to finally be here?
Actually, in the past few years I’ve been very busy doing different shoots for different projects. So there are a lot of things I really wanted to do — really wanted to try. But through this opportunity I’m really happy that I got to visit the Philippines as well.
What was the inspiration behind your fan meet tour in Asia, and how did its concept come about?
Actually, I really took time to think about the concept of our fan meet. So the main concept, the title, became Here and Now …. thinking that the (best) time to feel happiness is right here and right now. That’s why we have to make the most of the time right here and right now.
Ahn Hyo Seop with host Sam Oh. Photo by Kim Montes
So aside from having it in Seoul, you’ve traveled to Taipei, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Hong Kong…. can you tell us a bit about your fan meet tour experience….
Actually, being able to meet my fans, this itself is a great love for me. While I was in Korea working, I was thinking, “Do my fans really exist?” But through this fan meet I was able to see clearly with my eyes the love-filled hearts of my fans from different countries, and I really felt it. Finally I’m able to come here, and I’m going to make sure to have fun as well. My next stop is Japan, the concluding stop.
What can your Filipino fans expect from your show tomorrow?
I’m pretty sure through social media a lot of you watched different videos of my fan meet. I get to sing and dance, and the most important moment for me is to see my fans face to face and to talk to them.
What’s it like being part of the brand’s Global Bench Setters?
First of all, it’s a great honor for me to be a Bench trendsetter for a brand with such a deep history. And the different outfits I was able to try through this project really match my preferences, so I think that made me have a great chemistry with this brand.
Are you actually into fashion? Do you like getting dressed up? What are your favorite pieces?
I usually like to wear comfortable clothes, so that is why in my everyday life I wear Bench at home and sometimes when I go out. Something I wear should be comfortable for me, for the people who see me to feel the comfort too. That is why I love wearing Bench.
Were there any particular pieces that you really liked during your photoshoot?
We had this very comfortable baseball jacket. I really liked that clothing so I really remember it. And I think that there are various T-shirt designs Bench, which allow me to style in different ways, according to my personal preferences.
I’m going to turn things over now to our friends from the media…
You’ve been in lots of great K-dramas recently, so could you walk us through the process of preparing for your role…. special ways you get into character?
Whenever I try a new role, the first thing I think about is the history of the character, from his past to his present. I also try to use this as an opportunity to calculate how this person came to be in the present. This allows me to try the different ways I walk, it changes the way I walk, it changes the way I look at people. And after getting into the character, I try to think about the physical appearance of this character. I think this is possible with the help of the director, the make-up team, and the other staff too.
What are the roles you haven’t taken on yet and which do you plan to take?
Actually, there are a lot of roles I haven’t been able to try yet, so I can’t say specifically which one. But I think I will try roles that suit my current age. So I think student roles are not for me anymore. And if we see that I get older, I’ll try action and other genres too. But, of course, regardless of the genre, I want to try any role.
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Business Proposal received widespread acclaim. What drew you to this role, and what challenges did you face portraying it?
When I received the script, I sat down and read the whole script right away…. I was really into the story. And it made me think that I want people to be able to feel the happiness of the project (Business Proposal), and forget about the difficulties they’re going through in life. When we really began to shoot, the difficulty that I went through is that my character should be arrogant. The character itself has to be very arrogant, I had to boast about myself, so this wasn’t very easy for me. But as time passed by, it naturally came to me and I was able to do it.
Can you share some insights on your experience working in A Time Called You?
A Time Called You really gave me a headache because I had to go back and forth in my teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s. So if I won’t be able to make a clear specific timeline about myself in my head, I myself would be confused about what I’m doing. Also not only for me, but the other cast members, they had to do the same process of going through the time slips. There are a lot of times we meet with the directors and other cast members to review or study about what we’re going to do. So from time to time when I’m doing a scene, I need to think to myself, “Oh why am I doing this,” and go back to my room and review again why I’m like that.
Among all the characters you’ve played, which one are you most similar to, and why?
I can say that the different roles I’ve tried show a different part of who I am. But I think if I would be specific, it would be my role as Seo Woo Jin. Because when I was first introduced to the character of Seo Woo Jin I noticed that the past and the character himself were very negative, pessimist, and didn’t have high hopes about the world. But from Woo Jin who was like that, when he met Dr. Romantic, he was able to change. And just like that, I feel that through meeting with different staff while shooting Romantic Doctor itself also allowed myself to grow. Also, after our shoot, after our project, it changed me to become a more optimistic person to be able to see the world in a beautiful perspective. That’s why I’m really thankful for this project too, and this is one of the projects that I hold close to my heart.
Ahn Hyo Seop walked on the stage in very casual white Bench tee and light denim pants, to meet the press—a very casual stride and wave at the gathering. Photo by Kim Montes
As an actor, what is your favorite genre to work on?
I don’t think I can be specific about it. Whenever I choose a new project, I think regardless of the genre, I think and try to feel if this project itself pulls me in. That’s why I think whatever project I’m working on, I can see that this will be my favorite genre at the moment. But I think the romantic-comedy like Business Proposal was very fun too. And now I think that I would love to try another romantic-comedy project.
Your fan base extends globally. How do you feel about the international reception to your work?
First, I’m really thankful that I’m in a generation when K-content can be distributed worldwide. I think it’s very gratifying to see that we are able to express different cultures and practices of different countries through different content. That’s why the love from my fans is very amazing to me, and I don’t know how to feel about this, but I’m really thankful for all the love. One thing for sure is while seeing this, it makes me realize (the value of) more projects — happier projects — so that I can also share this happiness with a lot of people.
How would you describe yourself as an actor?
I always think that I am lacking. I think this is a very difficult question to answer. Because whatever I do, I try my best, but it seems like I cannot be satisfied with what I was able to do. But one thing I can promise as an actor is that I would acknowledge this shortcoming of mine and use it as motivation, not to stay contented, but rather to always try my best. I think being an actor itself gives you a life of continuous learning; where you have to continuously learn something and continuously absorb something. I can say that living as an actor, I’ll make sure to continuously move forward.
Photo by Kim Montes
Everyone here knows that you’re a well-rounded and versatile actor, so is there anything new you would like to try in your career?
When you’re talking about trying something new, is it as an actor, project, or as me personally?
I believe you as Ahn Hyo Seop would give you more liberty to answer this question.
Yes, there is something I want to try. Ever since I was young I’ve really loved music. If we were to talk about art, I think there are different ways to express art…. for example, through my acting, or through music, too. That’s why I also have the heart to think of expressing positive thoughts and positive energy to other people….
The truth that I’m able to influence even just one person is something I’m grateful for
Amid the success of your drama, the love and support of your fans, what keeps you grounded?
That’s a very specific and sharp question. I think I myself allows me to be humble. It’s actually similar to the previous question. I noticed that all my efforts, whatever I do, I wasn’t satisfied. So seeing myself as incomplete and imperfect allows me to realize that I cannot be
perfect in these types of things, so it allows me to continue to be humble. I think it also gives me the heart to continuously learn.
Photo by Kim Montes
What brings so much joy to a person like Ahn Hyo Seop?
While going through my different fan meets I felt something. While I was able to see my fans and their faces in comfort and happiness, it made me think, “Maybe I’m doing something good right now.” I think the moment the love the fans gave me through their happy and comfortable faces is the love that I would want to give them back. When these two different loves touch connect, I cannot express how happy I was through this. It’s not just me receiving the love, but being able to form this love where it is done together, I can say it was very harmonious. I think that allows me to say that love keeps me happy.
To you, what is the most important thing as an actor?
It’s a very general question so it’s hard to answer right away. Sometimes I receive messages or mail from the office. I receive messages from fans saying through me, the love, the ability to love, ignited the spark in them. The truth that I’m able to influence even just one person is something I’m grateful for. So, for me, being able to be a source of happiness and love for a lot of people is really hard work for me. And I think this also allows me to find myself through them.—Recorded by Princess Poblete for TheDiarist.ph
