Photo by : Kyeong-yong Shin (STUDIO DAUN)
Lee Jun-dong, a master director Lee Chang-dong’s brother, has worked on a number of great works in the Korean film industry, including "Burning: theater version" and " Poetry" directed by his brother Lee Chang-dong, as well as " Hwayi" and " A Girl at My Door.” At the same time, after playing a man drinking alcohol in the next room at the bar where the protagonist was taken, in the film "Gyeongju" directed by Zhang Lu, he is also an “actor” who has always been appointed to "Love and…" and “A Quiet Dream,” followed by other films till the latest “Ode to the Goose” We asked him about encounters with director Zhang Lu, his own performances, and works. Exclusive coverage in Korea.
———What led you to appear in “Gyeongiu”?
Director Zhang Lu created “Gyeongju” because my older brother took him to Gyeongju. One day suddenly, I received an incomprehensible message from the director asking me to appear in Gyeongju. He said he needed a man who drinks and goes up to the table. The director was my drinking companion, and I was told to be as usual. I used to play a part in "Oasis" I had produced before, but at first I refused because I was not an actor. However, I knew that it was not an environment where an independent film could pay for casting, so I was forced to do it.
———How was the shooting done?
At first I tried to drink and go up to the table, but in reality I did not drink and tried to shoot. At that time, it was a 24-hour shooting, but my co-star Song Ho-Chang was called in the middle of the night and went to the scene. When I tried to go up the table with Take 1, Mr. Song left me slightly. So I directed him saying, "You'd better stay close to the table a little more" although I was not the director. Then it got together perfectly in the next take. Maybe I had some talent for acting (laughs).
———What was your impression of seeing the completed “Gyeongju”?
I thought the work was wonderful. The method of drawing the space, the people, and the world we live is very unique and excellent in the entire director's work. I like all the works of the director. I like the films taken in China where the director's anger is blurred, and after coming to Korea, I feel that I enjoy his anger rather than having the anger calmed down. I like his direction to twist and look at how people live.
