[INTERVIEW] Yoon Si-yoon attributes success to good-natured roles

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Tue, September 26, 2023 | 09:37

Films

INTERVIEWYoon Si-yoon attributes success to good-natured roles

Posted : 2023-02-12 17:34

Updated : 2023-02-13 16:26

Actor Yoon Si-yoon / Courtesy of Contents Zone

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Actor Yoon Si-yoon got incredibly lucky when he debuted in MBC's hit sitcom "Hick Kick through the Roof" (2009). He subsequently landed lead roles in TV series such as "Bread, Love and Dreams" (2010) and "Psychopath Diary" (2019) as well as films like "A Birth" (2022). Yoon credits his career boom to the good-natured roles that have been made available to him.

"I was lucky. Because many of my memorable roles are of naive, good-natured guys, people often associate me with that same persona," he said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. "For me, personally, it's exactly what I would have hoped for. But I'm afraid of being typecast as the good guy because it hinders me from playing more diverse roles."

With a filmography that encompasses comedy, horror, drama, and adventure, Yoon isn't bound to any role or genre. He expressed his desire to keep jumping into empathetic and interesting stories.

"I want to do films or TV series that can resonate with a large audience. It doesn't have to deliver an important life lesson or a message. I would like to stick to projects that entertain the audience, so even the illiterate or foreigners can understand it," he said.

In his latest romantic comedy film "Love My Scent," Yoon plays the role of Chang-soo who works as an average car salesman. He falls in love with a woman he meets on the bus every day, but doesn't have the courage to ask her out on a date. Then he accidentally comes across a magic perfume that draws her to him through its scent.

A scene from the film, "Love My Scent" / Courtesy of Contents Zone

About the film, Yoon said, "It's a feel-good romantic comedy that you can go and have a blast with. The magic perfume leads to a sequence of comical events. Watching the awkward, shy couple falling in love will remind viewers of their first love."

The 37-year-old actor said he is open to opportunities regardless of the size of the part or platform. "Even if the role is minor, I'd love to be part of interesting stories. Many veteran comedians and actors such as Kim Soo-mi and Yoon Jung-soo made brief cameo appearances, stealing the whole movie," he said.

Yoon also opened up about starring opposite Seol In-ah, best known for tvN's "Mr. Queen" and SBS' "Business Proposal."

"When I was offered the role, In-ah was already confirmed as the female lead. She was starring in 'Business Proposal' while shooting our film. Despite her busy schedule, In-ah always made time to practice the lines with me. She was adamant about being well prepared for the performance," he said.

Yoon said he is waiting to get his big break in the film industry, playing a charismatic baddie in the future.

"I want to play more bad guys. Many cinematographers told me that I have a resting villain face. I'd like to take on more layered, complex characters in the future," he said.

yeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr