Unfortunately CNU does not have a drama department. Therefore it is hard ti find CNU alumni on television. However I found a young actor, Sung Woong, who graduated from CNU. He gave up becoming a professor even though he could have possibly done so. I wondered what made him t do that.
☆ Sung : When I was a high school student my dream was to be an actor. I just wanted to act. Then when I applied to college I could not find a drama department in Daejeon. I had no choice but to apply to CNU and tried to find another wav to be an actor. Fortunately I entered the department of Kinesiology as a male swimming talent. I became a junior and took part in the 1492 model contest, but shortly after my father passed away and I went to military service, I completed military service and my mother helped me work towards becoming a professor. It was possible because there had not been professors who were swimmers. My mother helped me a lot, but my dream was to be an actor. I quit smoking and kept myself in good shape. I have a dream and I pursue my dream over a stable job.
★ CP : Was there friction between you and your mother?
☆ Sung : Yes, there was. My mother was really upset at first. After completing military service I went to Seoul without delay, because if I stayed with my mother I thought my mind would be weak. Now my mom is satisfied with what I did and encourages me.
★ CP : What experiences make you decide to be an actor?
☆ Sung : I came to Seoul and worked as a swimming instructor. I also ran an online shopping mall. I was swayed easily by affection and some people took advantage of it. They betrayed me and hurt me a lot. I felt frustrated many times but through dealing with many people I came to express myself emotionally.
★ CP : You Were 29 when you debuted as an actor. Do you think you are a litter old to start an acting career?
☆ Sung : I do think I am too old. I really love what I am doing. I have a dream and I am fulfilling my dream. Age is not an obstacle for me.
★ CP : When was your happiest moment?
☆ Sung : The moment I was cast in the dream Pink Lipstick I was really happy. I had been doing advertising work before I entered a management company. After entering the company I acted as an extra NSS agent I in the famous drama Iris. Then I went to audition for the role Maeng Seu-jin in Park Lipstick. After finishing the interview, my manager said that I gut the role. It was unforgettable.
☆ Sung : I did a couple of scenes every episode in Pink Lipstick. After I worked in about 50 episodes I was going by train wearing a cap. I thought no one could recognize me because I wore a cap. However four middle aged women surrounded me and said "You are Maeng, right?" "Look, what did I tell you?" All the people in that compartment looked at me and I was embarrassed. As soon as the dour opened, I ran out. I should have said hello and thanked them it is a shame that I could not. Since then many middle aged women and office workers have recognized me and I greet them.
In October, each station broadcast dramas on cable channels. Hankyung, one of them, broadcast the sitcom Kim & Lee on WonTV on October 4th. It was originally presented as a cartoon. Popularity made is a competent new employee, but sociably inept.
★ CP : What is difficult for you when you act out different roles?
☆ Sung : I have to consider the role for a long time. It is not easy to be different people. I should identity with a character in acting, but it is not easily done. In that case, director staff and many senior actors and actresses lead me. I am advised by them about acting like this or that depending on the situation. I am thankful to them. Secondly, it is hard to work in harmony with the other actors at first. Unlike movies, in drama we each have our own schedule so it takes some time to coordinate with other actors and actresses.
★ CP : What work are you interested in doing?
☆ Sung : I would like to be in a noir movie. I want to be like Lee Byung-hun. His strong image in A Bittersweet Life made an intense impression un me. On the other hand, I want to be in a romantic movie as well.
☆ Sung : It is really hard to be an actor. It is like passing through the eye of a needle. Endurance is the most important factor to be an actor, but you also have to manage yourself. Stop smoking and drinking and keep your body in good shape. Reading books and watching dramas and films will help you in many ways.
★ CP : I would like to hear your advice to Chungdaites.
☆ Sung : Do your best every time. It is my motto. I hope you study when the time is for studying, I often ask my juniors "What is your dream?" Many of them answer "I have no idea." I believe having no dream or goal is a big problem. Think deeply about what you want to do and follow it slowly and steadily.
He said he will continue acting for the rest of his life. He also mentioned the old actor Lee Soon-jae. "My first role model is Lee Byung-hun and my second is Lee Soon-jae. He is old but he tries ti keep up with other. I want to emulate his attitude. "I could feel sung woong's passion for acting and wished that he would become more popular. I imagined that someday he will be on screen in a noir movie, ehich he wants do so much.
By Kim Tae-woo CP Reporter
twkim@cnu.ac.kr