In Sung In Love

Top Korean star meets Thai fans

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos courtesy of Cosma Plus

One of today’s most promising Korean actors, Zo In-Sung, has been known to Asian fans since 2003 after starring in romantic movie The Classic. In 2008, In Sung starred in a provocative period film, A Frozen Flower, in which he played military commander Hong Rim, who has sexual relationships with both a king and queen. The film was screened internationally, including in Japan, Germany and the Netherlands.

Last year, the 33-year-old actor portrayed a charismatic novelist and radio DJ, Jang Jae Yeol, who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) due to his abusive childhood in the highly rated TV series It's Okay, That's Love. In-Sung demonstrated the character’s complex personality smoothly and convincingly, to considerable acclaim. On February 28, In-Sung visited Bangkok to meet Thai fans at the So In Love with Zo In-Sung Fan Meeting at JJ Mall.

Unlike at other fan meetings, the actor focused on a very long interview about his lifestyle and work. He joked around a lot, teasing fans who admitted that they hadn’t watched It's Okay, That's Love, telling them to leave the hall and come back later after watching it. Only four lucky fans got to take close-up pictures with him. One of them impressed In-Sung when she said she had waited 10 years to meet him. The actor ended the meeting by singing a fun song, “Thinking,” by the group Hot Potato. Though he isn’t a professional singer, his adorable voice made his Thai fans very happy.

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A day before the fan meeting, In Sung met with members of the Thai press and some lucky fans at a news conference at the Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok Hotel. Below are some highlights from the conference and the meeting.

Question: After filming It’s Okay, That’s Love, you and the crew visited Thailand for a vacation. Where did you visit at that time?

In Sung: I don’t remember where we were. I got off the van wherever they let us go. Because there were a lot of people, it took a long time to count our crew members.

Question: Were there any impressive moments in Thailand?

In Sung: During the visit, I went for a massage and saw a kid watching my TV series, so I walked towards her. It’s a good memory.

Question: Do you enjoy the weather here, since we heard that you like to wander around streets?

In Sung: The weather in Thailand is really hot, but it is unique. Thai fans are really nice. When I walked around with my crew, fans handed us tissues and cold towels. I was happy about it. Next visit, if someone gives me a tissue or a cold towel, she must be my fan.

Question: How do you feel now that young actors look up to you like a role model?

In Sung: Really? I’m not really a good actor. In fact, a rookie co-star, Kyung Soo or D.O. from Exo, is talented and has a lot of ability. He is known widely in Thailand. Anyway, I will try to be a good role model and try harder to pay back my fans.

Question: Could you tell us more about your co-star Lee Kwang Soo, since you guys are close?

In Sung: Kwang Soo is my competitor. He is charming and has a lot of strengths. From now on, don’t ask about Kwang Soo [Laughs]. Actually, before I came to this conference, Kwang Soo sent me a message and asked how my trip to Thailand was. I told him that Thai people are warm and I’m glad to be here. But if Kwang Soo was here, I would like the Thai press to ask him who his competitor is.

Question: Is it true that you like to create a fun atmosphere on the sets?

In Sung: Yes. I played a leading role in the series [It’s Okay, That’s Love]. On the set, you may feel like you are at war. There is a lot of stress. No matter how tired I was, I had to smile and had to be funny, so the crew could work without stress. That’s why Kwang Soo is my competitor, because he is hilarious [Laughs].

Question: What was the toughest scene?

In Sung: it was a romantic scene on a beach with the female lead role played by Gong Hyo Jin. There was no easy way to get to that beach, but the crew tried very hard to get us there. Also, it was the raining season and the rain made it difficult to film the scene, but it was a beautiful place. I would like to recommend fans visit there.

Question: What was your dream when you were young?

In Sung: I dreamed about being onstage, like today. Now, my dream has come true. And today my dream is to stand onstage like this continually.

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