INTERVIEW: We give you Kang You Seok like you’ve never seen him before
Kang You Seok plays Noh Shin Woo, a cold and stand-offish student at Saebit Boys High School in the drama “Light on me”. We sat down with the star and found out what makes him tick.
How would you introduce yourself to a viewer who hasn’t watched “Light on me” yet?
I am Kang You-Seok, I play the role of Noh Shin-Woo, the vice president of the student council at Saebit Boys High School, he is cold on the outside but has a warm heart on the inside.
What went into preparing for your role on the show?
I asked myself questions such as how I can act these scenes more effectively because the character looks sensitive and cold, but warm on the inside and has a lot of contrast. How can I look more fun and attractive? how much contrast should there be? I think I had a lot of these concerns.
What were some of the difficulties of filming during the pandemic?
Basically, we quarantined and disinfected every time we filmed. I think I was sad that I didn't have much time to eat or talk with the actors and the staff I worked with.
Earlier on the show we watch how your character’s initial interaction and subsequent treatment of Woo Tae Kyung, is cold and harsh. Do you think this is due to how they first meet each other in the corridor and why do you think it takes so long for your character to act on his feelings for Woo Tae Kyung?
In the middle of the drama it appears that Noh Shin Woo was bullied after liking another friend in middle school. So, in the beginning, he was afraid of the past, so he deliberately treated Tae-Kyung harshly and pushed him away, but from the middle of the drama, I think it just took a long time for him to cherish and to carefully express his feelings for Tae-Kyung.
Do you have any favourite scenes from the drama series?
I remember the scene where Noh Shin Woo and Tae-Kyung fell asleep while watching a movie together. It looked cute and adorable for the two of them to sit side by side and watch a movie.
We live in a world that is still not very accepting of people with different preference when it comes to sexuality, what would you want to say to a young fan who might be going through bullying because of their sexuality, to take away from the show and your portrayal of Noh Shin Woo?
It's really cruel and sad to reject someone just because they're different. However, as Tae-Kyung had Shin-woo, there will be someone who will understand you someday. Cheer up!
With the great reception of your character and the success of the show, are we getting a second season?
Wouldn't it be possible with the support of many people?
What does the future hold for a talented actor like yourself?
I want to be an actor who can play various characters without being trapped in a genre.
To newbies in the entertainment industry, what words of wisdom would offer?
I'm just a newbie... Let's cheer up together!
With his great talent and sense of humour it came as no suprise when Netflix Korea announced that he is part of the cast of a new Netflix show alongside Kim Woo Bin and Esom.
Pictures supplied by Whynot, Koktv and Kang You Seok’s Instagram
