'Uncle Samsik' sparks fresh passion in actor Song Kang-ho

By Woo Jae-yeon

SEOUL, June 24 (Yonhap) -- As one of South Korea's most acclaimed actors, Song Kang-ho might not have much left to prove on stage.

But the actor said he is constantly longing to offer something new to his audience in a fresh way, and Disney 's Korean original series "Uncle Samsik" served that purpose.

"Like Samsik chases after his dream in the series, I also want to continue working as an actor through projects like this," he said during an interview with a group of reporters in Seoul on Monday.

"Whether it's a film or a drama, such work is both a challenge and a source of motivation for me," he said.

Song played the lead role of Park Doo-chil, a mysterious, unreadable man better known as "Uncle Samsik" in the series that aired from May 15 to June 19 on the streaming platform. The character's nickname comes from his commitment to providing "samsik," or three meals a day in Korean, to those around him.

Set in the early 1960s, when South Korea was still reeling from the 1950-53 Korean War and undergoing tumultuous political and social changes, the 16-part series explores the relationship between Samsik and Kim San (played by Byun Yo-han), an idealistic economist who harbors aspirations to reshape the nation's future.

As one of Disney 's most highly anticipated shows following the runaway success of "Moving" last year, "Uncle Samsik" has received mixed reviews due to its relatively weak performance. Critics have highlighted concerns over the slow development of the plot, intricate historical narratives, and a complex timeline filled with flashbacks.

"It wasn't an easy decision for me. I questioned whether a historical drama like this would truly connect with viewers in today's fast-paced world of OTT dramas, where sensational and provocative content often thrives," the actor said regarding his decision to join the show. "But ultimately, I wanted to take on the challenge."

"Films follow certain formulas. When you read a script, you can tell if it will work or not. The same goes for dramas," he said. "When you step out of your comfort zone to try something new, it can feel intimidating but it also sparks motivation and a sense of adventure."

Since Song made his debut in a theatrical play in 1990, he has participated in numerous critically acclaimed films. He gained global prominence by playing the lead role in Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning film "Parasite" (2019), for which he was honored with the Best Acting Ensemble award at the U.S. Critics' Choice Awards. Separately he received the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022 for his role in "Broker."

"Uncle Samsik" marks the veteran actor's debut in a television series after 35 years, and he found the experience refreshingly interesting.

"While movies need to compress content into about two hours and deliver it energetically, dramas can convey detailed stories and characters to viewers in a richer and more accommodating way that can't be shown in films," he said.

Despite his professional acting career spanning over 30 years, he said acting has never become easier.

"You might expect me to say I feel more comfortable and relaxed after 35 years. That is not the case at all. It is still so difficult and painful," the actor said.

"Creating something remains such a painful task. It has been, and will continue to be, a challenge for me as long as I pursue acting."

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