Actor Bae Sung-woo, who plays Seo Jae-hyeok in the film ‘Endgame Investigation’ by director Park Cheol-hwan. Photo ㈜Ace Maker Movie Works
When interviewing actors who are returning to the screen after a long time, there is always an awkward air. That was even more true in the case of actor Bae Sung-woo, who announced his return with the film ‘Endgame Investigation’. There was, of course, a release delay due to COVID-19, but more than 80% of the reason the film only saw the light of day after six years was his own fault. So Bae spoke with caution throughout the interview.
But he was not trying to hide behind anyone. He stepped forward to take the interview even before the director. It was obvious that questions about his DUI scandal and his period of self-reflection would follow once again, after the production briefing and the press Q&A at the screening. Yet he spoke candidly about what he had done wrong and led with gratitude that the film had finally come out into the world again.
“Honestly, worry comes first for me. Gratitude is a given. People watch films hoping to enjoy them in some way, and I am concerned about whether they will be able to. I usually enjoy doing interviews and try to treat them like conversations; I was fine even the day before the screening, but last night I slept poorly.”
Actor Bae Sung-woo, who plays Seo Jae-hyeok in the film ‘Endgame Investigation’ by director Park Cheol-hwan. Photo ㈜Ace Maker Movie Works
In the film ‘Endgame Investigation’ by director Park Cheol-hwan, he plays Detective Seo Jae-hyeok. The film was originally planned under the title ‘Business Trip Investigation’, but over six years it changed its title. Based on a true case that happened in Japan, it follows an ace from a metropolitan investigation unit who is reassigned to a rural post; after he grasps a clue to a serial murder case in Seoul, he heads back to Seoul with his partner to pursue the case to the very end.
“In the opening, he is a detective and the protagonist, yet the story begins in a cowardly way. I thought that had its own appeal. We reworked a lot, but it was based on a real case. For parts where you might think ‘Does that make sense?’, we had the support of the fact it was an actual incident. It is a two-protagonist detective piece and a buddy movie, and although it has some old-school elements, I liked how the sense of everyday life stood out.”
Though it may have faded from the memories of many, Bae Sung-woo playing a detective is nothing new. Right before filming ‘Endgame Investigation’, he played a police officer in writer Noh Hee-kyung’s tvN drama ‘Live’. He might have worried about becoming typecast as a cop, but the incident changed everything. There were also discussions about whether returning in a detective role was appropriate, given his DUI record.
A scene featuring actor Bae Sung-woo, who plays Seo Jae-hyeok in the film ‘Endgame Investigation’ by director Park Cheol-hwan. Photo ㈜Ace Maker Movie Works
“As for the role, it was something I could not control. I only hope you will watch it generously. It is the same occupation of detective, but since the project and the person are different, I did wrestle with it. I just wanted to avoid showing the effort or the intention and express it naturally. I showed the script to our company head and to a detective I know and had them check it. I think I focused more on whether the script was convincing than on the character. It sounds textbook, but I thought hard about what a detective would choose.”
The last six years for Bae Sung-woo were not particularly different. He simply did not land projects; he kept watching works and meeting acquaintances, living as someone without special hobbies. What changed is that he drank less than before and used public transportation more often. Last year he received word that ‘Endgame Investigation’ was preparing to be released again. His first thought was, ‘What should I do’.
A scene featuring actor Bae Sung-woo, who plays Seo Jae-hyeok in the film ‘Endgame Investigation’ by director Park Cheol-hwan. Photo ㈜Ace Maker Movie Works
“I often went to watch the cuts. As we exchanged opinions, I found myself going to the edit suite more and more. Watching the edits, I wondered if there are trends there too, because it gradually shifted to a denser feel. It seems it became easier to follow with a case-centered focus. It may come across with an MZ vibe, but in fact the efforts of (Jung) Ga-ram, who played the guileless Jung-ho back then, and of (Yoon) Kyung-ho, who at the time carried various qualities including a villainous aura, helped a great deal.”
Even while he was in self-reflection, some projects were released little by little. In 2024, Netflix’s ‘The Eight Show(The 8 Show)’ and Disney+’s ‘The Lighting Store’ also came out. In particular, Detective Yang Seong-sik in ‘The Lighting Store’ held the center of writer Kang Full’s narrative, and the series continued to have faith in Bae Sung-woo’s future activity.
Actor Bae Sung-woo, who plays Seo Jae-hyeok in the film ‘Endgame Investigation’ by director Park Cheol-hwan. Photo ㈜Ace Maker Movie Works
“I am grateful for the trust you gave me. I was also sorry. I felt troubled about having caused worry. I thought acting is fun and that I am blessed to do it, but I came to think that in the end we must not make audiences feel their time was wasted. Ultimately, I realized that people watch who the actor is as a person telling the story, and that the images inside and outside the acting combine to become the work.”
Bae Sung-woo’s expression and tone became noticeably more relaxed than at the start of the interview. He must have felt most strongly that chances to do the acting he loves and to talk about it are not simply given. Now what remains is the audience’s process of acceptance. ‘Endgame Investigation’, starring Bae Sung-woo, opens on the 2nd of next month.
