#gu seung jun

[do-you-ship-it-polls]

Do you ship it?

[kdramafeeds]

Gu Seung Jun moments

06.06.2023

[yamsdiary]

🦁📰 Kim Junghyun’s reflections on his acting career, personal challenges, and future goals.

"...if you work until you die..." Kim Junghyun Dreams of Acting

Reporter Park Hae Jin [ⓓ인터뷰] "죽을 때까지 노력하면"...김정현이 꿈꾸는 연기 | 디스패치 | 뉴스는 팩트다! (dispatch.co.kr)

Kim Junghyun is a natural born actor. I knew it the moment I met him. There wasn't the smirking Gu Seungjun of <Crash Landing on You> or the cranky Cheon Suho of <Time>.

Instead, there was the serious Kim Junghyun. When I realized that his characters were strictly acting, and when he spoke of his confidence in acting, I thought to myself.

'This is someone who should be an actor.'

I asked him why he became an actor. He gave a simple answer.

"I enjoy the moment of acting. I'm happy to be able to act, it makes me hopeful."

Kim Junghyun made his presence felt in tvN's <Crash Landing on You>. He made viewers laugh and cry with his hateful yet lovable, cheerful yet heartbreaking performance. 

He kept the center of attention among the big actors. No matter who he was paired with, there was no awkwardness. He created narrative and chemistry with each of them.

Kim Junghyun, who on earth is this actor? 

Dreaming of being an 'actor'

Actually, Kim Junghyun is a late bloomer*. In 2012, he made his screen debut in the short film <I'll Be with You>.

[*T/N: humble beginnings, but great endings]

Since then, he's been acting wherever he can. Theaters, musicals, movies, and dramas. He doesn't discriminate between genres.  

"I saw the play <In the Smoke> and it made me want to be an actor. I cried a lot, and that's when I realized that I had the question mark (in my mind), which made me think about acting again."

Your acting career also started with theater. In 2013, you first appeared on the theater stage in <Thérèse Raquin>. But wait, what is the 'question mark' in your mind?

"I realized that acting is a precious thing where you can give and receive emotions from people. The idea of sharing new experiences was fascinating to me."

That's when he started to pursue acting in earnest.

Everybody has ups and downs

In 2015, he made his professional debut with movie <Overman> and was recognized by critics. He continued to gain recognition with each work, making his mark with <Jealousy Incarnate>, <Rebel>, <School 2017>, and more.

But there were also bumps in the road. When he dropped out of <Time> due to a sleep disorder and eating disorder, he was criticized for it. 

"I felt like I neglected myself. It was a time of deceiving, betraying, and beating myself up. I stopped loving myself. My self-esteem dropped, and my anxiety grew."

He didn't want to fall apart. He dropped everything and went back to the beginning. "I spent a year and five months recovering my body and mind. I've built a lot of mental muscle* as an actor."

[*T/N: willpower; perseverance, judgment, system of thought, exploration, impulse control, goal setting, and other mental traits]

It was acting, after all, that got him back on his feet.

"I always had the desire to act (in my heart). I had a lot of desire to work."

Acting became more precious to him during his break. "I became more focused on the present moment and enjoying it. I'm in a better state of mind to look at my surroundings."

Crash Landing on You

He put his heartfelt feelings into <Crash Landing on You>. Whether it was a lead role or a supporting role, it didn't matter. For Kim Junghyun, it weighed the same. He was grateful to just be able to act.

"I tried to enjoy the moment of acting, no matter if I was on set or reading the script, because I know it's important to do my best with what I can do now."

Kim Junghyun plays Gu Seungjun, a fraudster. His (life's) purpose is money and revenge. He didn't have the love of his parents. However, he was a pure man in front of love. He's a character with a wide range of emotions. 

"The most important thing was to maintain the position. I thought that if North Korea had Pyo Chisoo (played by Yang Kyungwon) and the crew, Seungjun should create that atmosphere in South Korea."

Kim Junghyun slept with the script by his bedside. He studied the script until he closed his eyes, and then acted it out; a not too serious, yet hilarious Seungjun.

He had his own way of speaking the North Korean dialect. "The dialect changes depending on the interpretation of the lines, and I just caught the nuances and put them into Seungjun's words."

The acting in <Crash Landing on You>

He gave the four-angle romance three-dimensional feel*. Though he didn't have much screen time, his acting was dynamic. It even captured the growth of one character.

[*T/N: given depth and realism; the acting has a realistic and deep feeling.]

"The writer did a good job of showing the inflection points of growth. Seungjun gave Seri (played by Son Yejin) a certain intentionality, and gave Dan (played by Seo Jihye) a more humanized approach. There was a clear temperature difference."

The crying scene in episode 15, for instance. When North Korean children sing, 'I'm a poor orphan,’ Seungjun sobs to himself. It's the first time his inner self comes out.

"The situation of being chased by danger, being alone in a hiding place... I was thinking about how Seungjun must have felt in that place. My heart ached a lot. I realized that he must have been desperate."

Kim Junghyun had his own input. "I wanted Seungjun to show emotion in this scene, and I thought it would be a turning point in his life."

The same goes for the shooting scene in which he jokingly says, ‘I did some clay shooting in South Korea.’ The scene is even more poignant because he did it with a light chuckle. This was also Junghyun's idea. 

"It felt right. My primary purpose was to reassure Dan. I was thinking about her right up until the moment I died. I remember that."

Revisiting the 'actor' dream

There is a certain ease to his performance. He is quick but relaxed, he is light but has weight. What makes him so flexible is his unwavering effort (to act). 

"It's like a swan on a lake, you need to paddle your legs vigorously to look relaxed. Even when you're acting, the action is (actually) going on inside."

"I ask myself, 'what keywords is this line influenced by?' or 'what purpose is it serving?' When you have a clear idea, you're less likely to get stuck (in practice)."

When asked about his next project, he said, "I haven't decided on a stage (to act), be it a movie, a drama, or a theater. I would love to get together with some of my favorite people and do some performances."

Recently, he's been studying English for two reasons: acting and writing. "If I get better at English, there will be more works that I can come across, and I want to experience and convey various kinds of acting."

However, Kim Junghyun has only completed one (series) episode. He plans to follow the path he's been given without hesitation. Once again, he's dreaming of becoming an actor. 

"I see where I'm still lacking, and I have a desire to grow, rather than just run in circles. I'm eager to share new experiences in any conversational way I can."

And one last thing.

"If you work until you die, won't you be able to fulfill that dream?"

ㅡㅡㅡ

Translated by @deeliciouskjh. Do not modify it in whole or in part. All errors are mine, constructive feedback is welcome.

[beri-allen]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love ❤

i also received the same ask from @wileyonce, @writerrose1998 & @chaoticstupiddm on my main + @therulerofallpotatos, so thank you lady, wiley, rose, and trashy + kira! i think my favorite 5 are (from newest to oldest):

The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Wednesday) 5 times Wednesday tells Tyler a Story + 1 time she doesn't, or the Wednesday x Tyler "1001 Nights" AU. It's the longest one-shot I've written so far, and I think people who have read it (although there aren't plenty of them lol) really enjoyed it (at least i think they did?), so I'm glad.

I Put a Spell on You (Wednesday) aka the Wednesday x Tyler "Practical Magic" AU. It's the first AU I've ever written! And the longest fic I've done so far.

I Predict a Riot (Wednesday) While I wrote 2-chaptered fics before this one, I see this as my first multi-chapter fic, so I'm pretty proud of it.

I Carried You for Aching (Crash Landing on You) A character study on Seo Dan and a fix-it fic because I was in denial about Gu Seung-jun's death in canon. Like I said in the tags, the writer can suck my (non-existent) dick!

Wish I Were Here (Please Come Back Mister) I chose this one because there are only 3 fics on ao3 for this drama, and mine is the 1st one! That's how unpopular this drama is lmao. But for some reason, I'd still get kudos years after this fic came out in 2016, and the latest comment I got was from February 2023! It always makes me happy whenever I get a notification email regarding this fic.

[ofqueensandwitches]

My dad’s reaction toward “Crash Landing on You”

Before watching it: “This looks interesting, but you know how I feel about romantic drama shows. I watch it just because it’s super popular.”

When he started watching it: “This is perhaps one of the best Eastern Asian shows I’ve ever watched.”

Throughout the whole show: “Gu Seung-jun is the best character. He’s so perfectly written in every way, and that Kim Jung-hyun did well portraying him.”

At the end of the show: “That ending is garbage and I won’t ever forgive them for killing Gu Seung-jun.”

After was done watching it: “I want– no, I need you to write me a fix-it fic, Elle.”

[whenthegoldrays]

Seo Dan and Gu Seung-jun are the only ship allowed to have “Cornelia Street” applied to them, actually

[gaylighter]

Need a show to make me feel the way crash landing on you made me feel because I have never been so alive, emotionally devastated, happy, depressed, in love, satisfied, and completely empty in my life

I literally cannot express my thoughts. The ending wasn’t enough and I need justice for Seo Dan

[olkagretcher]

crash landing on you 사랑의 불시착

originally posted on ao3 (may 30, 2023)

"sometimes, even the wrong train takes you to the right direction." jeonghyuk and seri + seodan and seungjun hc drabbles and ideas.

rating: general audiences || relationships: gen, f/m || fandom: crash landing on you || characters: seri, jeonghyeok, seodan, seungjun, company five, seri's family, minor characters... || language: english

additional tags: updates every time i (re)watch cloy

❝ three cups of liquor ❞

— on the day of Seungjun’s death anniversary, Dan pours three cups in memory of his existence and how they were the pawns of a tragic destiny.

❝ final night ❞

— On Ri Jeong-hyuk’s final night, Company Five spent time together with the suits Seri bought them, the last thing they have from Seri (for now, till Jeonghyuk brings back souvenirs from Switzerland)

❝ lost and found ❞

— Seodan, Seungjun, and the orphaned kids post-canon. The kids Seungjun helped in episode 15 before he was about to leave, fate had once again made Seodan their main character as she takes in the brother and sister. Seodan does not get married, but she became a good mom.

❝ twin girls ❞

— Canon-divergent from episode 10; unplanned pregnancy.

❝ cruel fate ❞

— Seodan meets Seungjun's mother unknowingly in the U.K. when she visits one time. Seungjun's mother had treated Seodan to some Korean food (which was difficult to find in the U.K.) and she'd ask Seodan where she got that blue velvet jacket from, since it was awfully familiar to her.

Little did Seungjun's mother know... it was her late son's jacket.

“My fiancé,” Seodan breathes. “It’s his.”

[the-sky-the-stars-the-sea]

If your partner learns that they have to choose between saving you and getting on a flight that will take them to safety, and DOESN’T choose to save you, DOESN’T show up to your location within an hour with a freaking hunting gun to shoot everyone who harmed you, and DOESN’T keep shooting even though they will get shot and DOESN’T ultimately sacrifice themself to save you …

…

…

….

Then you don’t have the right partner.

[distance-does-not-matter]

SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP

her fiancé loves her but knows she cares for someone else so he’s trying to break the engagement

[beatrixacs]

CRASH MY LIPS ON YOU (rated E)

Chapter 3/3:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48162862/chapters/122267395

As Gu Seung Jun and Seo Dan share a loving kiss on the bridge (Episode 14), he reveals to her that it’s actually not their first kiss. Dan just doesn’t remember because she was too drunk on both occasions.

Short Canonverse Fix-it AU. Guaranteed Happy Ending.

[itspileofgoodthings]

He shouldn’t have died btw

[aahsoka]

this writer loves having an injured man in a long coat walk through the snow in the middle of nowhere to save his love interest from the second love interest

[helianthus21]

you mean with the way they both thought they were gonna end up dying alone but instead got to spend the rest of their lives with the person they admire most in the world after faking their deaths? they sure do 😌

kdrama guys who started off as total douchebags and ended up THE most lovable characters of the entire show

[ofqueensandwitches]

FANDOMS: Crash Landing on You, Why Her, Touch Your Heart, Law School

RELATIONSHIPS: Gu Seung-jun/Seo Dan, Gong Chan/Oh Soo-jae, Kwon Jung-rok/Oh Jin-sim | Oh Yoon-seo, Han Joon-hwi/Kang Sol A

RATINGS: Teen and Up Audiences

SUMMARY:

Seo Dan knew that people around the world just loved star-crossed romances. She could just imagine how people, especially women, would react when her story and Gu Seung-jun's eventually came out.

The hero nearly died a heroic death to save his lady love, and in return it was the heroine’s turn to save him to ensure they got the happy ending they deserved.

[whenthegoldrays]

Underrated source of comedy in k-dramas: characters who were canonically raised in England or America speaking English with the heaviest Korean accent you’ve heard in your whole life