Push Admin

Song Kang-ho in a scene from ‘Uncle Samsik.’ Courtesy of Disney+

Article (news)

Why Song Kang-ho chose period drama for series debut

Jaehwa Bernardo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171462874983519_MSK06199_RE-min.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Song Kang-ho in a scene from ‘Uncle Samsik.’ Courtesy of Disney+"/>Song Kang-ho in a scene from ‘Uncle Samsik.’ Courtesy of Disney+Since debuting in 1996, South Korean actor Song Kang-ho has built a long and storied career, starring in a number of critically-acclaimed films such as “Memories of Murder,” “The Host” and the Palme d’Or-winning “Parasite.”</div>In 2022, Kang-ho made history when he was <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/05/29/22/brutal-class-satire-triangle-of-sadness-wins-cannes-palme-dor">named Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival</a> for his performance in “Broker,” becoming the first male actor from his country to bag an acting prize at the prestigious event.This year, the 57-year-old actor achieves another significant milestone as he leads the period drama “Uncle Samsik,” marking his first foray into the realm of television series.However, as Kang-ho clarified in a Q&amp;A with Disney+, which will stream “Uncle Samsik” beginning May 15, he did not purposefully steer clear of television series projects.“I just happen to have been working on films back-to-back since I first debuted in 1996. [But] COVID-19 brought with it a huge shift in content consumption patterns, and while I could have continued to communicate with audiences solely through films, I understand that TV series offer opportunities to tell stories in a longer format – something that isn’t really possible with movies,” Kang-ho explained.“I also wanted to experience this medium that allows you to add depth to a narrative. [Director] Shin Yeon-shick’s script for ‘Uncle Samsik’ arrived at the right time in that sense,” he said.Set in the aftermath of the Korean War during the 1960s, “Uncle Samsik” is about two men who aspire to improve their poverty-stricken country. In particular, the series centers on Kim San (played by Byun Yo-han), who returns to Korea after studying in the United States with dreams of transforming his home country into a successful industrial nation.San’s idealism attracts the attention of Park Doo-chill (Kang-ho), nicknamed Uncle Samsik, who shares in the former’s aspirations for their country.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aBMLcOiUCMo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></div>“He’s an uncle-like figure who makes sure his people are well-fed, even during times of poverty and war,” Kang-ho said of his character.“I don’t think I’ve played any character quite like Uncle Samsik at any point in my career. He’s quite difficult to describe. He’s enigmatic, but as the series progresses, viewers start to get an insight into his inner world,” he said.Shin Yeon-shick, who wrote and directed the series, said he developed “Uncle Samsik” with the vision of Kang-ho playing the titular character. The two had met shortly after Kang-ho returned from overseas award shows for “Parasite,” where he pitched the series to the actor.“That day we sat down and discussed everything about the series, from who should be cast to how to secure the budget for the series. It was my first time sitting down with him for a project and I was a little stunned by how easily the meeting went,&quot; recounted Yeon-shick, who co-wrote the 2023 film “Cobweb” that Kang-ho starred in.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/08/23/movie-review-dark-comedy-cobweb-is-entertaining-to-watch">MOVIE REVIEW: Dark comedy ‘Cobweb’ is entertaining to watch </a></div>&quot;I already had the story in my head, but after meeting Kang-ho, I further developed the character and came up with the concept for Samsik, meaning ‘three meals.’ I wanted this character to take pride in the fact that he ensured everyone around him was well-fed.”<div>‘No alternatives’</div>Yeon-shick stressed he “had no alternatives” when it came to the actor playing Doo-chill. “It was created specifically for [Kang-ho]. As an actor, Kang-ho has played such a wide range of characters across numerous genres... I wasn’t surprised by how brilliant he was for this project,” he said.Kang-ho said he approached his first series with “the mindset of a rookie actor embarking on a new journey.” “I worked hard and poured an incredible amount of energy into this new medium. I’m very curious to see how viewers will react to the series, but at the same time, I feel nervous as well,” he admitted.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171462883048634_MSK05508-min.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Byun Yo-han. Courtesy of Disney+"/>Byun Yo-han. Courtesy of Disney+For his part, Yo-han, whose previous shows include the workplace drama “Misaeng: Incomplete Life” and historical “Mr. Sunshine,” said he felt honored to work with Kang-ho.</div>“I was also incredibly apprehensive as well. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to bring Kim San to life the way I had envisioned, performing against this giant of the industry who, to me, felt like an insurmountable wall or a mountain,” said Yo-han.“Fortunately, Kang-ho was incredibly kind to me… He also trusted me to do my part and helped me so I could rely on him. I dare say that our chemistry was nothing short of amazing,” he added.Explaining the dynamics between his character and Doo-chill, Yo-han said, &quot;Kim San is, like many people living in the present era, very talented and smart and has a vision. But if no one validates that vision, the vision is of no use.&quot;“Uncle Samsik is someone who extends his hand to help Kim San, and they move forward together in pursuit of their shared dreams,” the 38-year-old actor said.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171462888854829_MSK08881-min.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Song Kang-ho. Courtesy of Disney+"/>Song Kang-ho. Courtesy of Disney+Asked what viewers can expect from “Uncle Samsik,” director Yeon-shick said the show “features an extensive number of characters from different social classes, each with their own aspirations and desires.”</div>“These characters are brought to life by a cast of incredible actors who each poured so much of themselves into their roles,” he said.Responding to the same question, Kang-ho said, “I feel incredibly happy that I got to be part of a series that features incredible actors and compelling stories. I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed.” <div>For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/kcontents">Hallyu Corner </a>microsite.</div>

Veteran actor Song Kang-ho achieves another career milestone as he leads the period drama ‘Uncle Samsik.’

Veteran actor Song Kang-ho achieves another career milestone as he leads the period drama ‘Uncle Samsik.’