By Honorary Reporter Bojana Doneva from Bulgaria
Photos = Lim Ho-jun, Seo Bo-hyung

From left, "Not One and Not Two" director Seo Bo-hyung and cast Oui Ji-won and Lim Ho-jun on Oct. 6 pose for photos at the opening ceremony of the Busan International Film Festival in Korea's second-largest city.

A thought-provoking story and experimental visuals made director Seo Bo-hyung's first feature film "Not One and Not Two" stand out at this year's Busan International Film Festival.

The film is about Yeong-mok, who is suffering from an unknown disease and seeks enlightenment through self-isolation and Buddhist meditation, and Jin-woo, who searches for inspiration for her next work of art. The film raises questions about human relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic, when face-to-face contact is limited.

Actor Lim Ho-jun, who plays Yeong-mok in the film, is well known among Korean audiences for appearing in Korean indie films and playing supporting roles in popular dramas such as "Chicago Typewriter," "Voice 2" and "Priest." 

The following are excerpts from an interview with the actor on the film and his career.

Lim Ho-jun plays a character seeking enlightenment in "Not One and Not Two."

How did you get to work with director Seo Bo-hyung on this project?
Director Seo Bo-hyung, who is well-known for experimental movies, and I met at the screening of a short film I was in. Afterwards, he approached me about the project he was working on at the time, which eventually became "Not One and Not Two." He invited me to an audition, saying I might be a good fit for the lead Yeong-mok. I'd always considered him a director with unique vision, so I immediately accepted.

How do you usually prepare for your roles?
When reading a screenplay for the first time, I try to focus on my first impression of the story and my character. After reading it carefully three times, I put the screenplay away for a while. I then do image training, as in I try to connect certain moments or people in my life with specific parts from the story or look for a personality resemblance to the character. After building an image of the character in my mind, I read the screenplay again and later ask the director everything I'm curious about during the read-through with the cast. After an in-depth discussion, I leave the screenplay aside and continue image training.

Tell us more about playing Yeong-mok, a man suffering from an unknown disease.

Yeong-mok's name means "tree's shadow." I wanted to portray him as someone who believes he doesn't fully exist, pursues the meaning of life and obsesses over reaching enlightenment.

Just as people in the present suffer from depression, Yeong-mok has caused his own illness and obsesses over how he could die from it. So he's trying to isolate himself from the world and search for the meaning of his existence. This is my personal interpretation of the character.

Did you have any difficulty preparing for the role?
I had to play someone who spends 40 days in self-isolation while fasting and drinking only water. I had a difficult time trying to lose weight so fast during shooting while trying to portray the physical changes he goes through. 

In the film, the protagonist Yeong-mok gets an unexpected visitor while meditating. 

Overall, what does the film mean to you?
I achieved through the movie one of my long-time goals as an actor: an invitation to compete in Korea's top film festival in Busan in a feature film in which I play the lead. "Not One and Not Two" raised my confidence as an actor and motivated me to work harder so that I can receive another big opportunity.

Do you believe that the enlightenment Yeong-mok seeks in the film is possible?
I think enlightenment can be obtained anywhere. In other words, we can find it anywhere we exist and stay. In that sense, I dare say anyone has the potential to reach enlightenment. It all depends on your mind and thoughts.

kalhong617@korea.net

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.