Meeting a Korean actor whose career has graced screens for over a decade is a rare and thrilling experience. Recently, I had the chance to sit down with the super lovely Sung Hoon in Seoul, where we explored his latest role in Viki’s Perfect Marriage Revenge. As we settled, Sung Hoon provided insights into the character of Seo Do-guk and the show itself. On top of that, I was enlightened on the misconceptions surrounding the show’s source material.

Although Sung Hoon acted in many TV dramas already, I do have my personal favourites, and that includes the role of Moo-yeol in Passionate Love (2013), Cha Jin-wook in My Secret Romance (2017), and Tae-sung in Brothers in Heaven (2017), with the latter being a feature film. However, our focus during the interview was on his portrayal of Seo Do-guk in Perfect Marriage Revenge (2023), a character that derived from a webnovel of the same title, written by Lee Beom-bae. 

It came to my attention that some believe the show originated from a webtoon, but in reality, and as mentioned before, it is based on a webnovel. The sequence of events involving the webnovel preceding the drama adaptation and the release of a webtoon during filming led to confusion among viewers. Those who ventured into the webnovel found the TV show to be close to the original, appreciating the characters and the creative direction of the production team a lot.  As the show came to an end, I must admit that Perfect Marriage Revenge really preoccupied me with its interesting narrative, characters, and the enigmatic Seo Do-guk, brought to life by Sung Hoon. 

View of the Arts: Your recent drama, Perfect Marriage Revenge (English Title) is widely available on Viki, including the UK. In this TV drama, you portray Seo Do-guk. Could you share your perspective on the character and how he evolves throughout the series, especially considering his involvement in the complex relationships within the narrative? 

SUNG HOON: The series was adapted from a webnovel, making it challenging to deviate significantly from the original character. It is crucial to remain faithful to the character’s essence, and that’s precisely what I aimed to do by staying true to the script. While I appreciate if viewers perceive an evolution in Do-guk’s character, at his core, he has always harboured feelings for Yi-joo. Initially, he employed social status and a business-like relationship as a facade, concealing his true love for Yi-joo. The character remains consistent in expressing affection for Yi-joo, and although he may appear more genuine and open as the series unfolds, the fundamental nature of the character remains unchanged. Playing this role brought me great enjoyment.

VOA: The storyline involves elements of revenge, deception, and family dynamics. How did you approach portraying the emotional side and conflicts of Seo Do-guk as he becomes involved in Han Yi-joo’s (played by Jung Yo-min) quest for vengeance?

SH: During our initial meetings and character development discussions, we considered creating a structured plan for the character’s evolution and behaviour to enhance viewer understanding and enjoyment. However, upon deeper reflection, I found the character to be a unique individual who wholeheartedly devotes himself to the love of Yi-joo. As we progressed into episodes four and five in the studio, I shifted my perspective. This man’s rare and intense commitment to the relationship is something special, and I decided it was better to embody the character authentically without premeditated plans. He’s not a typical character; he’s someone willing to do anything for Yi-joo.

VOA: When you were working on that show, did you follow the script from A to Z, or were there any moments when you improvised? 

SH: In fact, I took the contrary approach. I refrained from introducing any additional elements. Typically, when portraying characters, I may consider incorporating something intriguing to enhance the character’s depth. Yet, for this particular role, I aimed to remain faithful to the character, perceiving its inherent strength.

VOA: The series delves into themes of trust and betrayal. How did you prepare for the scenes that showcase Seo Do-guk’s reactions to the unfolding secrets and betrayals, both within his relationship with Han Yi-joo and the broader context of the narrative? 

SH: During the portrayal of the character and throughout the filming process, detailed planning went into calculating every movement and behaviour. Our aim was to ensure a seamless and error-free viewing experience for the audience. Reflecting on the completed filming, it’s challenging to recall specific scenes that posed significant challenges. From Do-guk’s perspective, every action is purposeful, driven by a defined goal, and I endeavoured to align with that mindset, calculating each step. However, one standout scene involves a crucial moment related to an accident, a central point in addressing the drama’s overarching theme of time slip. This particular scene remains vivid in my memory due to its importance in shaping the narrative. 

As for the ending of the show, I would like to avoid spoiling it for you [and your readers]. I can share that it involved acting alongside an entity beyond my control, making these scenes both challenging and enjoyable. To unravel the mysteries, one must watch until the end. Also, I want you to know that it is a common practice for actors to swiftly transition to the next project after completing a film. The nature of the profession requires us to detach from previous roles promptly, making space for the next character. This process involves a quick mental reset, allowing me to move forward without lingering on past performances too much. 

VOA: But talking about switching off, have you ever experienced difficulties in doing so? 

SH: I consider my first project to be challenging, mainly because we spent over a year filming the show. The extended duration made it a unique experience. It’s not uncommon for new actors, those fresh to the industry, to find it challenging to detach from a role when working on TV dramas or films. However, having been in the industry for some time now, I’ve become accustomed to smoothly transitioning between different roles.

VOA: The narrative is filled with mystery, romance, and revenge. How did you collaborate with the creative team to ensure that Seo Do-guk’s character contributes effectively to the overall tone and atmosphere of the series? 

SH: Regarding your earlier question about infusing personal elements into the character, I intentionally refrained from doing so. This decision was influenced by the observation that Do-guk, as a character, embodies a restrained emotional spectrum and maintains a consistent, unvaried demeanour – akin to a bass, a musical instrument, providing a constant bassline. This characteristic facilitated interactions and balance with other characters, eliminating the need for additional improvisation or bringing extra chemistry. I was not concerned about his impact on the overall narrative tone.

While there may have been opportunities to enhance the character for entertainment purposes, I felt such additions would be incongruent with the drama’s overarching tone. Despite the show encompassing mystery, romance, and revenge elements, there is a perceptible weightiness to it. I believed that introducing a lighter touch to the character would not align well with the storyline.

VOA: When you film a show that is based on manhwa, webnovel, how do you generally prepare for the roles if shows are based on comic books/print cartoons? Do you read manhwa yourself or do you trust the script itself and don’t read the source for the screenplay at all?

SH: Well, if the adaptation remains faithful to the original, I make an effort to align my portrayal with the source material. In such cases, I delve into the original work to gain a deeper understanding of the character I am going to portray. And if a TV drama or film takes a more liberal approach in adapting the original work for entertainment purposes, my focus shifts towards the creation of something fresh and interesting.

VOA: What else can we expect from you in 2024?

SH: I am currently going through some projects, however, nothing has been decided yet. 

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Interpreter: Roc Lee

Featured image © Rakuten Viki

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}