In a cozy Nonhyeon-dong cafe, Byun Woo-seok delved into the complexity of his role as Ryu Seon-jae in the tvN series “Lovely Runner”, who harbors love for Im Sol (portrayed by Kim Hye-yoon) for over a decade. Byun expressed, “Long-term relationships are not uncommon in my circle. I know individuals who have been in love for substantial periods reaching up to 20 years. Seon-jae’s enduring love didn’t seem far-fetched to me and I found it easy to empathize with.“
![Byun Woo-seok Shares Insight into His “Lovely Runner” Character Who is Faithful in Love for 15 Years 3 byun woo seok](https://i0.wp.com/theubj.com/uae/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/byun-woo-seok-1-060624.jpg?resize=600%2C900)
His passion for “Lovely Runner” was ignited the moment he reviewed the script. Relaying his eagerness, he stated, “The script struck a chord with me from the start. The prospect of being a part of it was something I pursued fervently, persistently inquiring about the selection process for a couple of months. It wasn’t about the project’s potential success; it was a role I desperately wanted. When I was awarded the role, I was in constant disbelief, asking myself, ‘Have they truly chosen me for this character?’“
Byun’s portrayal of Seon-jae required him to navigate a spectrum of emotions spread across different years – from 2008, 2009 to 2023. He commented, “Conveying the emotional narrative of Seon-jae, especially after he quit swimming, was my primary focus. I believed that if I could genuinely depict those emotions, his love for Sol would naturally be comprehensible.“
When discussing his character Seon-jae, labeled as a “unicorn male lead,” Byun noted, “The scriptwriter invested everything into crafting Seon-jae. I once inquired about future prospects to which the writer humorously responded, pondering what to pen next after having poured so much into Seon-jae. The male lead was written to be extraordinary and virtuous, which posed its challenges yet was enjoyable. Seon-jae’s noble and friendly disposition was very admirable.“
Byun drew contrasts between his own personality and Seon-jae’s, attributing it to “intensity in devotion”. He explained, “I throw myself wholeheartedly into whatever I pursue, be it professional or otherwise. Unlike Seon-jae, I don’t conceal my feelings. Seon-jae’s love for Sol is so intense that it verges on life-threating devotion, a sentiment alien to my personal experiences. Should I ever find myself in such a situation, it would give me cause for deep consideration, but for now, it remains unfamiliar territory.“
FAQ about Byun Woo-seok and His Role in “Lovely Runner”
Q: Who is Byun Woo-seok?
A: Byun Woo-seok is a South Korean actor known for his work in television series and films. He gained wider recognition for his role as Ryu Seon-jae in the tvN series “Lovely Runner”.
Q: What character does Byun Woo-seok play in “Lovely Runner”?
A: Byun Woo-seok plays the character Ryu Seon-jae, who is in love with Im Sol, portrayed by Kim Hye-yoon, for 15 years.
Q: How did Byun Woo-seok prepare for his role as Seon-jae?
A: Byun Woo-seok focused on capturing the emotional journey of Seon-jae, especially the changes after quitting swimming, to portray the character’s deep love for Sol authentically.
Q: Can Byun Woo-seok relate to his character’s long-term love?
A: Yes, Byun found it easy to relate to Seon-jae’s long-term love as he is familiar with individuals who have sustained long-term relationships in his personal life.
Q: What does Byun Woo-seok think of his character Seon-jae?
A: Byun views Seon-jae as an admirable character who is cool and a good friend. He admires the dedication and goodness that the scriptwriter put into developing Seon-jae’s character.