| Seong Dong-ill, left, and Baek Yoon-sik in a scene from "The Chase" / Courtesy of NEW |
| Actor Baek Yoon-sik poses during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Thursday. /Courtesy of NEW |
By Kim Jae-heun
Seventy-year-old veteran actor Baek Yoon-sik has appeared in more than 26 films and 37 TV dramas since his debut in 1970, but he still has plenty more to show.
There are no young star actors in the upcoming movie "The Chase" and veteran actors such as Baek and Seong Dong-ill take the leads.
In the film, based on the webtoon "Aridong Last Cowboy," Baek plays the role of old stubborn landowner Shim Duk-soo, who has lived for a long time in the poor town Ari-dong.
One day, murders start to happen in the town, similar to an unsolved crime that took place 30 years ago. Senior citizens living alone are found dead and a female college student living in Shim's apartment goes missing. Shim and former detective Park Pyeong-dal, played by Seong, cooperate to search for the killer. In the movie, Baek rides the scooter to every suspicious crime scene and fights in the rain _ all without a body double.
"My role in the upcoming film contains action scenes that required a strong mentality from me," said Baek during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Thursday. "I've done some action scenes before that required a high level of stunt skills. But here, it is just about working it off and showing your willpower. Shim is not a good fighter and he is old but he resists and keeps getting up."
Baek decided to appear in the film after reading the original book that the story is based on.
Realistic features of his character and the context of the story attracted Baek to playing the lead role in the film.
Shim looks like a cold-hearted man in the movie, but Baek sees him differently.
"In the original story, Shim accidently kills his younger brother while covering his mouth to keep him silent when North Koreans attacked their house during the Korean War. So he has this trauma about death. Shim is not a normal person. He is a self-made man and he is very strict in his self-discipline," said Baek.
"The Chase" will hit local theaters, Nov. 29.
Q. Your character is similar to Hollywood actor Liam Neeson's role in the film "Taken," where Neeson goes after criminals to save his daughter.
A. I disagree. Liam Neeson was a former spy and he was an expert in the field of searching and eliminating his targets. I appear as a landowner and a key repairman. Of course, we both show a strong mentality in tracking down the target.
Q. Which scene was most physically demanding for you in the movie?
A. We shot an action scene in the mud on three rainy winter days. It was very cold and I lost all the heat in my body. Apart from that I did not get hurt.
Q. You are well known for your roles in films like "Inside Men" and "Tazza." This is another role that could leave a strong impression on the audience. Was there something different when you played the character Shim?
A. Not particularly. It is all about flow. I like the suffix ‘ing' of the present continuous tense. My career is still in progress and I want it to flow naturally.
Q. You have taken on many fatherly roles. Is there any specific reason?
A. Not particularly. There is a process for me to choose a piece but I believe it is more important to look at the will of casting directors who chose me to play certain roles. I just happen to meet my characters naturally and I am still in the field.
Q. Is there certain role that you want to play in the future?
A. Acting is about taking part naturally. There is a saying that life is short but art is long. There is no end in our job. We have to keep thinking and creating new characters. When I finish one character, I will meet a new one and I will do my best to portray him. I am only grateful for it.