By Honorary Reporter Eftychia Dovletoglou from Greece
Photos = Bryan Larkin

While watching the Korean movie "The Point Men," the true story of 23 Christian volunteer workers from Korea in 2007 who were taken hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan, I was intrigued by the character Abdullah. So I looked up who played him, Bryan Larkin from Scotland.

Appearing in many productions like the dramas "Narco-Saints" (2022), "Outlander" (2014) and "Vikings" (2020) and the film "London Has Fallen" (2016), Larkin gushes about his experience working in Korean productions and with a Korean cast. 

The following are excerpts from an email interview with him between March 3 and 9. 

Bryan Larkin is a Scottish actor based in London.

Briefly introduce yourself.

I was born in Scotland and moved to London to become an actor. In my small hometown, I was an athlete and grew up watching action movies and playing video games. I wanted to pursue acting after leaving sports and yearned for a creative career. I also wanted to travel, something acting has allowed me to do.

Describe working in the film "The Point Men."
I did filming for my role in Jordan and Seoul. I play Abdullah, a British broker living in Afghanistan, and had to learn an accent and language other than my own. This was a challenge that helped me find my character. 

Bryan Larkin poses for photos with actors Park Hae-soo (left) and Kim Min-guy (right) during the filming of the Netflix series "Narco-Saints."

How did you land the roles in the Korean works you've appeared in? 
I was curious and intrigued by Korea and had huge admiration for Korean films and TV. After much research, I had the opportunity to audition for "The Point Men," and the latter's director Im Soon-rye chose me out of many who tried out. For "Narco-Saints," I was recommended by a production company but still had to audition and interview. 

Do you speak Korean? 
I speak a bit of Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean. I started learning Korean, which I consider a beautiful language, about three years ago and find its sound emotionally and physically expressive to my ears. I want to learn more and get better at speaking Korean and watch a lot of K-dramas to learn faster.

Bryan Larkin plays the British broker Abdullah in the movie "The Point Men."

What off-camera moments stand out while you worked in Korean productions?

I was really impressed with how helpful and friendly the Korean cast was. Hyun Bin (in "The Point Men") was friendly but also dedicated to his role. Many famous Western actors have egos and are hard to work with but this isn't so with Korean actors. I think Korean culture teaches one to be authentic in life and work, something I respect enormously. I've always been treated with respect while working in Korea.

Bryan Larkin says he has always enjoyed working in Korean productions like "The Point Men."

How was working with actors Hyun Bin, Hwang Jung-min and Park Hae-soo in "The Point Men?"

I have great memories working with all three of these actors. They're among the most famous and successful actors in Korea but remain humble and engaged. I felt so welcome and valued as a contributor to these productions because of them. I saw how they showed respect for people working behind the scenes and believe they fully deserve to be big stars because of this.

What did you was your impression of Hallyu before appearing in Korean works?

I've been a fan of Korean entertainment for about 10 years. The Korean films I watched first opened my eyes to a new world of entertainment. What I loved most were the bittersweet endings, attention to detail and the journeys of the characters, not to mention first-rate writing and direction. 

msjeon22@korea.kr

*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.