Actor Seo Inguk shared his thoughts on why he is a master of romantic comedy.
Seo Inguk conducted an end-of-series interview on the 29th at a cafe in P'alpan-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, for the tvN Monday-Tuesday drama 'See You at Work Tomorrow!' (written by Kim Kyung-min, directed by Cho Eun-sol, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Studio Dragon·KROSS Pictures).
'See You at Work Tomorrow!' is a work that depicts an office romance in which Cha Ji-yoon (Park Ji-hyun), a seventh-year office worker sinking into ordinary ennui, becomes each other's irreplaceable best with her prickly boss Kang Si-woo (Seo Inguk). It realistically portrays office workers who worry between dreams and reality amid repetitive routines and fierce company life, and tells the story of young people who grow in both work and love.
Seo Inguk met viewers in the role of Kang Si-woo, Cha Ji-yoon's direct superior, a face genius who has everything except personality. Seo Inguk, who showed deadly charm that captured women's hearts in various romantic works such as Reply 1997, King of High School Life Counseling, Shopping King Louis, The Thousandth Star Falling From the Sky, and Doom at My Doorstep, delivered thrills as 'Seo Inguk-style rom-com' by portraying a cold and blunt character three-dimensionally despite his handsome looks, tall physique and role-model self-management.
When you think of actor Seo Inguk, the first genre that comes to mind is rom-com. Since Reply 1997, Shopping King Louis, Boyfriend on Demand and other diverse works have provided thrills and awakened people's romantic cells.
On the appeal of rom-coms, Seo Inguk said, "What I think is the advantage of rom-coms is that they make your heart feel soft. I have liked them since I was young. I think the feeling of rooting for the protagonist or rooting for the rom-com narrative changes the genre. In genre works you think about how they overcome trials and hardships, while in rom-coms you hope they do well. While we also need trials and hardships during filming, there is a feeling of wanting them to overcome it quickly. You feel supportive."
Seo Inguk continued, "I tend to have a benchmark for (rom-coms). The most important thing is, of course, the narrative in the relationship between the two people. I consider how they build the relationship and the process of falling in love important. That was true for Boyfriend on Demand and See You at Work Tomorrow!—the narrative was good. It was attractive that Kang Si-woo, who seemed perfect, meets Cha Ji-yoon and though it starts professionally, they grow by filling each other's shortcomings." He explained why he chose 'See You at Work Tomorrow!'.
The reason Seo Inguk is strong in rom-coms lies in his chemistry with co-stars. Even though he has worked with many actors in the rom-com genre, no single work stands out; he has consistently delivered Seo Inguk-style rom-coms. Seo Inguk said, "What I consider most important, not only in rom-coms but in all acting, is that you must rehearse with your co-actor on set. Even when looking at the same text and situation, everyone perceives it differently. Because people differ in gestures or lines, I think it's wrong to assume there is a single correct approach. You must align with your co-actor on set and be aware of that. If more preparation is needed, interaction is necessary. I consider that the most important part. Only then can viewers empathize with the situation without any one element standing out. I place the highest importance on dialogue on set."
This time he partnered with Park Ji-hyun. Regarding chemistry with his co-star, Seo Inguk said, "She is a very fun colleague. She seemed to have no limit in emotional expression. It was fun acting together. She was receptive to any idea. Her heart was very open, and because she was proactive, I could present ideas more boldly."
He cited the ending as a memorable scene in his chemistry with Park Ji-hyun. Seo Inguk said, "It was very cold. We filmed on a bridge and it was chaotic. Outdoor shoots have a pretty time when the sun is beautiful. Right before sunset the sky turns red and it's pretty, but it's only about two hours. There were many angles needed so it was chaotic; rather than being memorable, I remember it as chaotic. What felt rewarding was the ring talk and walking scene, but I felt it was lacking so I suggested an idea. Since it was an open ending, I thought something more certain was needed, so I ad-libbed 'I love you' and everyone liked it a lot."
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