2016 is the year of Gong Yoo. "Train to Busan", "Men and Women", "Ghosts", three works with different styles came out one after another. No one thought that on the idol battlefield of the post-90s generation, Kong Yoo, born in 1979, became the hottest Korean star at the end of 2016.
From the popularity of "Coffee Prince No. 1 Shop" in 2007, to 2016, in 9 years, Gong Yoo finally ushered in another outbreak of his acting career. However, this does not seem to be such a surprise to this sensitive Cancer man. If he wanted, he might be able to make the craze come earlier and more violently. In the interview, Gong Yoo said more than once that his personality is not suitable for the entertainment industry, and he likes to be alone in a crowded place.
Judging from the trajectory of his acting career, there is no step-by-step design, and the filming is even a bit random. Gong Yoo's aggressiveness was probably only shown once when he made his debut in 2001 when he was fighting for a performance opportunity in School 4. Since then, he has almost always existed in a less professional manner. When "Coffee Prince No. 1", which made him popular in 2007, began to find him, he turned it down. According to Kong Yoo’s own recollection, at the time of the low ebb, he had doubts about whether he would continue to stay in the entertainment industry. He looked happy, and even yelled at fans for taking pictures during the filming (of course, he solemnly apologized to the fans who were yelled at later on the show). When he was in great pain, he vented by drinking alcohol and hitting the wall. After the filming of "Coffee", while the other actors were enjoying the advertising bonus after their popularity, Gong Yoo went to the army with a sense of relief. He said that at that time, he did not feel a pity in his heart, but felt very relieved that he was able to serve as a soldier as a citizen Kong Di Zhe, not an actor Gong Yoo, and be his true self.
Gong Yoo's work before enlisting in the army TV series 2007: MBC "Coffee Prince No. 1 Shop" 2006: MBC "A Wonderful Day" (Taiwan translation "Love you very much") 2005: SBS "Cookie Teacher Star Candy" 2003 : SBS "Dream Screen" 2003: SBS "Situation Comedy 20 Years Old" 2002: KBS2 "Always Uneasy" 2002: KBS2 "Dare to Love" 2001: KBS "School 4" Movie 2005: "Kingmao Pretty" Policewomen , Jin Jing and starring) 2002: "My Band5 Boyfriend"
Gong Yoo's acting career, or his previous life, enlisting in the army was a watershed moment. From VJ and model entry, to participating in several youth idol dramas, most of the characters played are the image of boys with superior family backgrounds, handsome and rebellious. If this goes on, after the age of 30, I am afraid it will be very embarrassing. On the one hand, Kong Yoo's face is not a thin skin and tender meat type with delicate facial features. He does not have an advantage in the Korean entertainment circle with good looks. Even in the "ugly and handsome" circle, he is not as popular as Rain, who has developed a full-scale film and television song, let alone. Speaking of young latecomer Kim Woo Bin. On the other hand, from his heart, if he can only play the characters of idol dramas, he may not be able to accept it. It can be seen from Gong Yoo's dedication to "The Furnace" that he is more enthusiastic about deep and socially influential themes in his heart. People with water signs are usually more indulgent in fantasy, and they pursue spirituality more than material things. Kong Yu of Cancer is very obvious on this point.
Although the time of enlistment was very tired physically, Gong Yoo was spiritually enriched. In the military camp, he not only came into contact with the original novel "The Furnace", but also served as the DJ of the military radio station. "Kong Yoo Waiting at 20" has also become the first program of the military radio station whose listening rate is comparable to that of commercial radio. Whenever he mentions this experience, the shy and humble Kong Yoo can't hide his pride. Perhaps this has more psychological value to him than those idol dramas he starred in in his early years. Being able to contribute value to society is very important to Gong Yoo. This is why the attributes of social responsibility are more and more reflected in Gong Yoo. Because of his exemplary tax payment and good social image, Gong Yoo was selected as the image spokesperson of the Korean National Tax Service and a special representative of UNICEF.
After returning from the military, Gong Yoo's filming style has changed from before, but his cautious, or lack of self-confidence character is also reflected. The first big screen work to come back to test the water is "Finding Kim Jong Wook", which is still a youth romantic comedy. The only challenge is that Gong Yoo will play two roles in the film, one is Han Ki-joon, who is down-to-earth, and the other is Kim Jong-wook, who is romantic and charming. For Gong Yoo, Kim Jong Wook's performance is familiar, handsome, classic kissing scenes, and the male protagonists produced on the Korean drama assembly line are not bad, and there are routines for every move. On the contrary, it was Han Ki-joon, a silly big man with a rustic charm, that attracted Gong Yoo. He once said that Han Ki-joon has a personality that he admires very much, and is an ordinary person who sticks to his own principles. He can't be like Han Ki-joon in real life, so would love to play him.
Since then, Gong Yoo's big screen works have completely said goodbye to the youth idol type. In 2011, "The Furnace" reflected social themes, "The Suspect" in 2013, and the middle-aged extramarital drama "Men and Women" in 2016. , the zombie drama "Train to Busan" that tortured humanity to the "anti-Japanese theme" film "Spy". It can be seen that Gong Yoo, who is middle-aged, has greater autonomy and confidence in the choice of film types. He doesn't even care whether he plays the protagonist or a hero, but he wants to try different types of themes.
Yeon Sang-ho, director of the movie "Train to Busan" commented: "There are no traditional heroic characters in "Train to Busan". The role of Shi Woo is set as an ordinary little person who can't make a difference, so there are many difficulties in the casting stage. But Gong Yoo After reading the script, focusing on the integrity of the entire film, I don't mind that I am not the central hero, I hope to be a member of the crowd and actively participate, I sincerely thank you."
There have been many reports on the advent of "The Furnace", to the effect that Kong Yoo received the original novel "The Furnace" as a gift from his boss when he was promoted in the military. After being deeply shocked, he ran in many ways and finally led to the novel being put on the screen. After the film was released, it caused heated discussions in the society, and finally the Korean National Assembly was launched to amend the law, and the "Melting Pot Law" to protect children who were sexually abused and the disabled was enacted.
It is worth pointing out here that Gong Yoo repeatedly stated in the interview that "The Furnace" caused a huge response, and it was not rumors that he personally facilitated the filming of the film, nor did he personally call the author of the novel to negotiate the copyright and so on. He described the incident in detail. After reading the novel, he recommended it to the company's representative. After that, the company contacted the company. He didn't make such a big contribution, and he was really humble. But in the interview, his level of devotion to the film was also revealed. When watching the premiere, Gong Yoo couldn't control his emotions because he saw the abuse of deaf-mute children on the big screen for the first time. In the last row, the depressed mood that took four months to come out of after the filming, went back in an instant, feeling very broken.
After his comeback, Gong Yoo's performance in TV dramas was not satisfactory. In "Big" (2012), known as Waterloo, he played a surgeon who exchanged souls with high school students. The ratings for this TV series were poor, and in the following years, Gong Yoo did not take on TV dramas until the hit "Goblin" in 2016. According to rumors, the screenwriter asked him for 5 years before he agreed to cooperate, and the reason was still that he did not want to shoot idol dramas. In the end, what attracted him was that tvN allocated a huge production budget for this drama. It can be seen that Gong Yoo has more and more requirements for the production quality of the work. In addition, in this film, he was able to try costume modeling for the first time, which is also a breakthrough.
In terms of acting skills, there is not much room for "Ghosts" to play. Most of the scenes are dressed in big names to be handsome, and the frequency of changing clothes can be called the male version of Qian Songyi. Nonetheless, the emoji package that Kong Yoo contributed in this film is enough for many actors with facial paralysis to digest for half a year. Although it is an idol drama, there is really no idol burden at all.
There is a big difference in the performance of Korean stars in TV dramas and movies. TV dramas are a way to build momentum and realize cash. The routines are mature and do not need to make too many changes and attempts. Movies are an opportunity to improve deep-level acting skills. If you want to appreciate the subtlety of Gong Yoo's performance, it is more complete in "Men and Women" in collaboration with Jeon Do-yeon. In the movie, you can't see Gong Yoo in a well-decorated magazine blockbuster in suits and leather shoes. What you see is a slightly tired look, daily hairstyle, and skin without makeup, showing a more realistic texture.
Although in this play, Gong Yoo's acting skills are not outstanding compared to Jeon Do-yeon, the interaction between the two also presents a pattern of strong women and weak men. In real life, regardless of age or qualifications, Jeon Do-yeon is Gong Yoo's predecessor. For the performance of erotic movies, one is an expert and the other is a first attempt. It can be felt that Gong Yoo is really not as open as the heroine in bed scenes. But there are a few scenes in which people are moved by wearing clothes.
One scene is on the roof of the construction site where the male protagonist (designer) works. The female protagonist is wearing a coat and smoking a cigarette, and she is very fanciful. The male protagonist is afraid of her cold and helps her to button up her coat. Little girl smiles. The ambiguity of the two people wanting to talk and break up is about to come out. Some people commented that "Men and Women" made cheating as beautiful as first love. The two people's development from one-night stand to each other's heartbeat began with this scene.
In addition, at the end of the film, the male protagonist chose to stay in the family, but his heart was full of grievances, helplessness, remorse and remorse, and his wife said to him, thank you, thank you for everything you did. As the male protagonist drove the car, tears filled his eyes silently.
In the interview, Kong Yoo once sent a message to young people in their 20s, whether it is career or love, they should seize opportunities and be brave. A few years of passion and energy. There is character in this, maybe the one who misses out is a famous Kong Yoo, but in exchange is a long and meaningful Kong Yoo.
(Finish)
View more about Guardian: The Lonely and Great God reviews
