[On the Record] “You are a late-blooming flower” Ryu Seung-ryong is in full bloom

“Seungryong, you are a late blooming flower.”
“If you dig deep into the ground, your fingers will hurt, but clear, clean water will come out.”

This is what caused actor Ryu Seung-ryong (52). Thanks to my gifts, I learned the influence of one person and the power of a single word. Professor Kim Hyo-kyung, in her late 20s, looked at his anxious eyes and compared him to a ‘flower.’ Director Lee Jun-ik compared it to ‘water.’ It was warm advice given to him after recognizing him as a ‘good actor.’ He received rave reviews from the public for each work he appeared in, calling it the ‘work of his life’, and recalled, “It was the one word that captured me.”

Ryu Seung-ryong played Joo-won, who has infinite regenerative abilities, in the recently released online video service (OTT) Disney+ series ‘Moving’ (directed by Park In-je, written by Kang Full). He garnered favorable reviews for his work across a diverse spectrum, from intense action to gritty yet gritty romance and heartbreaking familial love.

Ryu Seung-ryong, whom we recently met at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, “I am determined to work to the end without putting any limits on each work.” He said, “Let’s dig to the end, the wall may be thin. Let’s not set limits. That’s how we approached ‘Moving’.”

Ryu Seung-ryong described his role as, “He regenerates but feels pain, and although he heals, he is hurt and like a child.” He continued, “After living a rough life without a purpose, I learn for myself how useful I am by meeting and learning from someone. I wanted to say that anyone can gain that kind of strength. Through Joo Won, who delivers good consolation, I can see how great a person’s influence is and how he can help others. “I felt again that things were changing,” he said.

Ryu Seung-ryong said he enjoyed the original work of the same name by author Kang Full. He said about the background of his appearance, saying, “There are many characters, and each has its own narrative and joys and sorrows. It can be shown briefly in a short period of time, but the fact that it shows many sides over a long period of time was attractive.”

“I’m surprised and thankful that the words that are thrown out during the dialogue like ‘I feel like I’m going to die if I don’t see them’ are seen as healthy. Writer Kang Full is 50 the day after tomorrow. I thought that the younger generation would not understand the classic code, but I sympathized and understood it and actually became more interested in it. “They liked it. I feel rewarded because I feel like I played a role as a bridge between the older generation and the younger generation.”

Ryu Seung-ryong said he was concerned about the viewing preferences of the younger generation and recalled, “I was nervous until the end.” OTT series content is produced on average in 6 to 8 parts. In contrast, ‘Moving’ was 20 episodes, 2-3 times longer, and was released every other week like a drama. Moreover, the NX speed-up function is not provided on the Disney+ platform. He said, “I couldn’t binge-watch the entire series, and there was no speed, so I felt dissatisfied, like I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms.” At the same time, he said, “Fortunately, as the story progressed, the narrative and choices between the characters were understood.”

“In these days when people prefer short content and ‘quickly,’ I was worried whether a serious story in episode 20 would resonate, or what might happen if people get bored. Just like the old ‘Land’ (1981). I think ‘Moving’ is the ‘Land’ of the series. i did it.”

‘Moving’ was also a challenge for Ryu Seung-ryong. It was his first time acting in a long-running work like ‘Land’ and he was very satisfied. “This is my first time working across eras and generations. It’s also the first time I’ve poured all of the emotional changes of humans into one work. Although it was physically difficult, I was excited and happy to go to the set. The actors had good chemistry with each other. It’s not easy to come across a work like this. “I don’t, but that’s why I have special affection for it.”

Ryu Seung-ryong performed high-level action acting to the extent that people say, ‘I did all the action scenes I could possibly do in my life.’ His family was heartbroken as the intense action continued. My two sons, a senior in high school and a senior in middle school, cried profusely after watching ‘Moving.’ Ryu Seung-ryong, who saw this, said, “This is the first time I’ve seen this in my life.” Soon, he made everyone laugh by saying, “It was the first time I saw the children’s eyes,” and “They became good.”

“Like ‘Breaking the Seal,’ if I beat one quest, I would come out again and again. (Laughs) It was fun because each army, navy and air force had different action concepts and different targets. It was physically difficult, but I had fun acting. It will bring happiness to those who see it later, I’m excited. I also did it.”

He debuted in the film industry in 2004 with ‘A Woman I Know’ and next year will mark 20 years since he appeared on the screen. He started acting quite a long time ago. He has met many audiences on stage and made his face known in 1997 while working as a member of ‘Nanta’. When I asked him about his thoughts, he made us laugh by saying, “If you look at his face, doesn’t it seem like it will be the 40th anniversary?”

“I started acting in the media relatively late, and I am grateful to Director Jang Jin. Because of my connection to theater, I naturally didn’t take a profile picture and the movie itself became an audition. I feel grateful to be an actor in Korea. However, acting is still difficult. Some say it’s a job of crafting emotions. How and who knows which emotion is right. Finding the right point and balance is important. It’s a hot topic these days, both in acting and in life. A life where too much is not too much. Trial and error. “Isn’t life about going through experiences and finding the right point?”

Reporter Lee Yi-seul ssmoly6@asiae.co.kr