The actor ROH JAEWON, who left a lasting impression in the Netflix series “If wishes could kill” by portraying Bang Wool, a warm presence who silently protects others and a mysterious being capable of detecting invisible evil energies, opened up with candor about his work, his acting, as well as his true personality.
The global media platform BOLDPAGE unveiled an exclusive photoshoot as well as an international interview titled “GLOBAL Q’S” conducted in the company of ROH JAEWON.
This photo session took the duality of Bang Wool in “If wishes could kill” as its starting point. The contrasting images of a warm face observing someone in silence and a curious entity capable of reading the boundaries of a dimension different from reality were transcribed through a unique visual. Under soft lighting in white tones and a bluish projection, an atmosphere both lonely and warm was captured, while the shots utilizing a black suit against a red background revealed an overwhelming charisma, as if he were standing at the border of good and evil. Broken mirrors, intense colors, as well as the contrast between light and shadow came to accentuate in an even more dramatic way the delicate gaze and deep presence unique to ROH JAEWON.
During the interview conducted after the shoot, ROH JAEWON confided calmly about his recent popularity and his sincere thoughts regarding the work. When asked how he felt as “If wishes could kill” climbed to first place in the rankings in Korea and internationally, he replied: “I really would have never imagined it”, adding:
“When I read the script for the first time, the story was so new and creative that I wondered if I would be able to do well, but I am sincerely grateful to all those people who show us so much love.”
His affection for the character of Bang Wool in the series was also singular. ROH JAEWON explained: “On the surface, Bang Wool seems light and playful, but he is actually a character who wishes to relieve the anxiety of the people around him and offer them security”, specifying that “the desire to give them strength is the very heart of Bang Wool.”
The emotion to which he clung the most while portraying Bang Wool was “the belief of being able to protect someone”. He confided: “I kept repeating to myself like a mantra ‘Everything is within me’”, explaining: “Thinking that my grandmother, whom I love the most, was protecting me, I played believing that I too was a person capable of protecting someone.”
To the question of what wish he would make if the application granting wishes from the series actually existed, he gave an unexpected answer. He confessed: “I would like to ask for a heart capable of loving with all its strength”, explaining: “Loving someone and being loved is not as easy as one thinks, and there are times when one is afraid of being hurt. I feel even more these days how precious it is to be able to love fully without expecting anything in return.”
Among the most memorable scenes from the filming, he chose the moment when Bang Wool recites an incantation while holding a shaman knife (Shinkal). “I got goosebumps all over my body while pronouncing the line ‘Save me, deity Munjeon’”, he reminisced, “I realized how immense the power of words is.” Regarding the scene where he breaks a rooftop door with a kick while pursuing Minsu, he smiled:
“During the last take, the door actually broke. Everything fell into place perfectly, it was thrilling.”
He also shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote about Bang Wool. He explained that the scene where an iron bar pierces his body was filmed using a specially manufactured vest and costume. The atmosphere on set with the younger actors was just as warm. ROH JAEWON stated: “It was the first time I was called ‘Seonbae’ (senior), but in reality, I felt everyone as friends”, adding:
“On the contrary, I had the impression of being the most lacking, so I was busy focusing on myself, and I received a lot of love and consideration from my juniors.”
Among the characters having left a great sense of emptiness after the end of a project, he cited Nam Gyu from “SQUID GAME”. He confided: “After the end of filming, I really felt like I had a hole in my chest”, explaining: “A great sense of emptiness washes over me when it is necessary to let go of a character for whom I have long reflected and with whom I have lived.”
Conversely, he designated Seo Wan from “DAILY DOSE OF SUNSHINE” as the character who stayed the longest in his heart. Feeling that Seo Wan and Bang Wool would get along well, he imagined: “I think Bang Wool would heal the anxious side of Seo Wan healthily and effectively.” The most important criterion he takes into account when choosing a new project was clear. “I first ask myself if I can understand this character, and if I want to play this role to the point of devoting myself to it”, he answered. He added that when he does not have certainty, “I reread the text two or three times until I imperatively find the point that will allow me to be convinced.”
Faced with the passionate love of international fans, he smiled shyly: “It still feels like a dream.” Learning that he enjoyed great popularity in Mexico and India, he expressed his wish: “I would like to go there directly one day”, adding: “I want to study English and Japanese even more seriously to be able to travel and communicate freely.”
Furthermore, ROH JAEWON awaits the release of season 2 of the Netflix series “MADE IN KOREA”. He slipped a hint: “Look forward to the transformation of Pyo Hak Soo”, promising that “more stories are going to unfold compared to season 1, opening the way to an even more thrilling development.” BOLDPAGE is a global media platform that connects fans and artists across the world, simultaneously publishing content in 6 countries including Korea, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, India, and Mexico.
For this photoshoot of ROH JAEWON, AI-based post-production work was applied to a part of the background, without altering the person, in order to reinforce the atmosphere of the concept.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: BoldPage
