Korean actor Byeon Woo-sook said he is still not used to all the attention and popularity that he is getting after starring in the popular drama “Lovely Runner.”
“Lovely Runner,” which starred Byeon Woo-seok and actress Kim Hye-yoon (“Snowdrop,” “The Girl on a Bulldozer,” “Sky Castle”), aired from April to May on tvN in South Korea, and on OTTs in different countries.
In the time slip and romance drama, Byeon Woo-seok (변우석) is star Ryu Sun-jae while Kim Hye-yoon is Im Sol. A fan of Sun-jae, she was devastated when he died. She found herself going back 15 years to 2008 with the goal of changing his destiny.
Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon in "Lovely Runner" (tvN)
Through “Lovely Runner,” Byeon Woo-seok became an overnight sensation.
In the Brand Reputation Index for drama actors in South Korea in June, he ranked first. The brand reputation index analyzed consumer behavior and measured based on media, communication, community and social values.
His Instagram followers increased by 5.1 million from April to June, jumping from 4.79 million as of April 5 to 9.9 million as of June 23 based on data from analytics website Social Blade.
When he arrived in Manila on June 20, Byeon Woo-seok said he was thrilled to see many people waiting for him at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“It’s so nice to finally be here in the Philippines. When I arrived at the airport yesterday, there were so many fans who welcomed me. I was really thrilled and excited,” Byeon Woo-seok said during a press conference at the Shangri-La The Fort on June 21 organized by Pulp Live World and Varo Entertainment, and hosted by Kring Kim.
This was his first time visiting the Philippines and said, “I feel happy about what I’m seeing.”
Byeon Woo-seok at his press conference on June 21 at the Shangri-La The Fort (Pulp Live World, Varo Entertainment)
Popularity
Byeong Woo-seok said he is still not used to the popularity.
“I’m still not able to get along with the popularity that I’m getting. Everything itself from my day to day is a big surprise, a big amazement,” he said.
He added, “Like yesterday, I was at the [Manila] airport. I saw a huge crowd. Those themselves were already amazing in my head. Also I’m just imagining that I’m being in front of you doing the presscon. This is also a dream come true. That’s why until now, I’m not used to this sudden attention but it’s actually like a dream.”
Debut
Byeon Woo-seok started as a model in 2010, doing shows in South Korea and overseas.
In 2016, he made his acting debut in the drama “Dear My Friends” starring well-known actresses Go Hyun-jung, Kim Hye-ja, Go Doo-shim, Youn Yuh-jung and Na Moon-hee.
In the drama, he played the role of Son Jong-sik, a nephew of the character of Youn Yuh-jung, who won the Oscar best supporting actress in 2021 for “Minari.”
Byeon Woo-seok with actress Youn Yuh-jung in the drama “Dear My Friends” (tvN)
Before bagging the role in “Dear My Friends,” he failed in about 100 auditions for various works, he told Vogue Korea in an interview in October 2022. In one month, he auditioned about 30 times.
“I believe that if you continue to focus on this for a long time, the results will be good,” he told the magazine.
And he did, He continued his acting career, appearing in "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo," "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo," "Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency,” "Record of Youth," "Moonshine," and "Strong Girl Nam-soon."
Byeon Woo-seok in the drama “Record of Youth” (tvN)
Byeon Woo-seok in the drama "Strong Girl Nam-soon” (JTBC)
Byeon Woo-seok in the drama "Moonshine” (KBS2)
Success of “Lovely Runner”
“Lovely Runner” was Byeon Woo-seok’s first lead role and said he didn’t expect it to be successful.
“This drama was the first where I was the lead actor. While I was preparing and we were filming the drama, I was not expecting this grand success,” he said at the Manila press conference.
He added, “But, of course, I always had the thoughts that much as I enjoyed filming and preparing for the shoots every day, I hoped that viewers would love this wonderful project I was working on.”
“Basically all the crew that were working on it were having the same thoughts. As much as we worked, we loved what we were doing, I hope the response of the audience would be the same. Right now, in reality, I’m very grateful that it is happening,” he said.
Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon in "Lovely Runner” (tvN)
He said when he read the script, he related to the character of Sun-jae.
“Before I read the ‘Lovely Runner’ script, I wanted to do different kinds of roles. When I read the ‘Lovely Runner’ script, I fell in love with the character Sun-jae. Just by reading it, I could totally relate,” he said.
On what role he wants to portray in the next project, he said, “I do love romantic comedies. I don’t have a particular role or genre. Any kind of new project that when I read the script, my heart is already in the story/plot. So I’m looking forward to it. And because I personally like romantic comedies, perhaps there is another romantic comedy that will come.”
About the success of “Lovely Runner,” he said, “Just what I’ve said earlier, I’m really happy with this sudden, big, amazing love and support that you are showing me. And every time I visit different countries for my fan meeting this time and get to see different fans, I’m still not used to the love that you are showing me. I am happy that there are so many people who are supporting outside Korea.”
Top 3 scenes
Byeon Woo-seok named the top three scenes in “Lovely Runner” that are his favorite.
“There are so many scenes that I really like. There are top three that I can share,” he said.
He revealed, “First in episode 2 when Sun-jae first confessed to Sol that I like her. That’s my favorite scene. Second is when I was talking to my dad while I’m giving him alcohol. There seemed to be an interaction between the dad and the son. That’s also my favorite. Another one is around episode 10 when I was telling Sol that it is okay if I die (saving her). Those are my favorite scenes among many others.”
Chemistry with co-stars
Byeon Woo-seok said he does not have any secret on having good chemistry with his co-stars in dramas or films.
“There is no really like a secret on how I was able to have a good relationship with my co-actors and actresses. But one that made me have a good relationship with my co-stars is me meeting good actresses as well,” he said.
According to him, “Because they are also the ones who approach me and we also love the project we are doing so, perhaps, our love for the new drama or whatever we are doing makes us connect together. I don’t take a personal approach or do something just to be close. But it’s just coming from our hard work and love towards what we do.”
Among his acting projects besides “Lovely Runner” that he would recommend to his fans, he said, “The previous one before this, ‘Strong Girl Kang Nam-soon,’ ‘20th Century Girl,’ ‘Moonshine.’”
Byeon Woo-seok in the film "20th Century Girl” (Netflix)
With the success of “Lovely Runner,” he launched his fan meetings in different countries including the Philippines.
“Just the fact that I can go to different places, that is already very exciting. But most of it, I get to see the culture of these different countries is something that actually awakens my mind,” he said.
Byeon Woo-seok showing a banner prepared by fans at his Manila fan meeting on June 22 (Instagram)
He said that if he didn’t pursue acting, he probably would be in a business.
“Perhaps a business, entrepreneurship like a coffee shop,” he said.
On how he wants people to remember him as an actor, he said, “I am very grateful but all you remember me and appreciate me with your love as Sun-jae of the ‘Lovely Runner.’ As an actor, it’s one of the great achievements when people like the character that I portray. In the future or for my next projects, I would appreciate and love it if you would also fall in love with the character that I’ll be acting as.”
About his next project, he revealed, “Please watch out and be excited for my next project that’s gonna be in a few months.”