In conversation with Song Geon Hee
He is young and ready to be the leading man! Song Geon Hee shares his short-term goals and some of his favourite audition stories with us.
We have seen you take on many roles since 2016, please share with us which character was your favourite to play?
It is difficult to choose one out of the different characters I took part in. However, The most affectionate role was the character ‘Yeoreum’ from the drama ‘Alice, the Final Weapon’. It was the most memorable character because it was not only my first lead role, but also the process from script to the field was very tough. In addition, there are many friends that have stayed in my memory, that includes Youngjae, Mugil, Kwon Muk, and Haram.
We were excited to hear that you'd be starring in the musical “Midnight Sun” alongside other talented stars, we would like to hear from you, which do you prefer the most? The theatre stage or acting in dramas?
It is too difficult to choose one between Drama genre and theatre. These two give me very different feelings that make me enjoy both so much (smiles).
What are some of the short-term goals you have set for yourself as an actor and would like to achieve?
My short-term goal was to try various roles that I could play in my 20s before I turned 30. There is a role that I can only play in my 20s, and I think it's the only time I can try various things without worrying about anything else, so I set this goal. My long-term goal is to become an actor that the whole staff, crew and other actors want to work with. While I was filming the drama ‘Alice, the final weapon’ I felt that it is so important to film while the people enjoy it all altogether. Having coffee in the morning with the people while cheering one another by saying “let’s rock today” gave me great memories and led me to have these goals. I still want to be a good person before being a good actor and that has not changed.
Auditions can be both challenging and fun at times, can you share any funny audition stories you can recall?
When I think about the auditions I have had, I only remember those moments when I was nervous. However, to tell you one interesting audition story I had, it was a comedy audition where a number of people were auditioning at the same time. When I began reading the script, the director and the people participating in the auditions couldn’t stop laughing and at the end, we all agreed that “this act was really fun”.
When did you realise that acting was a career you wanted to pursue, and did you ever find yourself doubtful of your success in the future?
I realised that I wanted to act the moment when I stood up on the stage with courage after I entered high school. I can't forget the catharsis I felt on stage. When I think about it now, it was a moment when I felt that I could make a difference to someone even though everyone was laughing and they could relate to my acting. It was thrilling. (laughs) I don’t doubt my success in the future. I'm always participating in dramas with the thought of acting in a fun way!
What steps do you take to fully understand the importance of your character to the story?
There are two things I always do when I prepare for my characters. First, I make a playlist for the character. I tend to collect lists of songs that remind me of the specific character and listen to it when I read the script or think about the role.
Secondly, I feel the necessity to be closer to the character and I write diaries on behalf of both myself and the character. Every single character has their own ways of writing a diary, but as I write the diary entries on behalf of both myself and the character, I feel like I and the character become similar.
You impressively feature in many dramas. What hobbies or activities do you do to maintain balance in your life?
I travel somewhere or stop by a café I like after the filming or when I need to have some rest. Visiting a comforting space heals me when I’m tired and exhausted. I also play games all night with my friends while talking to relieve my stress. In addition to this, I’m always visiting places to take pictures since I’m into film cameras these days.
