Shin Hyun Soo On ‘Duty After School’ & His Love For Indian Films

An impending alien attack sees high school students turn into front line soldiers in humanity’s battle for survival against extraterrestrial forces.

Studio Dragon’s latest sci fi drama ”Duty After School” is an adaptation of a webtoon by Ha Il Known. The studio has been rolling out diverse and varied content across genres, and has once again intrigued viewers with the premise of its latest show.

Actor Shin Hyun Soo plays platoon commander Lee Chun-ho. His job is to train these young teenagers in military warfare, though a committed soldier, he is also sensitive and caring towards his young charges.

Shin Hyun Soo began his acting career with musicals before moving on to television and has starred in over a dozen dramas. His noteworthy performances as Kook Ki-Bong in Welcome To Wakiki 2 and Lee Dae-yeob in the Bossam: Steal The Fate as well as Twelve Nights showcased his versatility.

In an exclusive with GOODTiMES, Shin Hyun Soo talks about starring in his first dystopian drama, popularity of K Dramas and his love for Indian films such as 3 Idiots and RRR.

GT. Namaste from India. Congratulations on Duty After School. Your character Lee Chun-ho, has two sides to him. An officer and a gentleman. One hand he is strict while training students but also very kind to them. How did you try understanding him?

Shin Hyun Soo . Thank you for talking to me. It is so good to meet you, although it is in writing. First of all, Lee Chun-ho is a person who put his actions at the heart of protecting children at all costs. However, since there is a limit to his ability to secure all the children in the no. 2 platoon, so he decides to train them so they can protect themselves. I understand and agree that his decision was his best choice and that in his decision, there was also his warmth and sincerity toward the children.

GT: You were excellent in 12 nights and Bossam and showcased your versatility, especially your flair for comedy, was doing a dystopian thriller challenging? Any genre you want to try next?

Shin Hyun Soo :Even though this was a new genre for me in my acting experience, I was more excited than worried. I believed in the power that the webtoon’s original story held. As we started shooting on set, the scenes we were creating moved even me, who was acting in them, so there was more anticipation and satisfaction than difficulty. Rather than a new challenge in the genre, I wish to come across another project that will move me like Duty After School did.

GT: You transitioned from musicals to dramas, what the most challenging thing about both mediums as an actor, since the demands are different? Which one do you enjoy most?

Shin Hyun Soo :Both mediums require understanding and adapting to the respective systems, but since the essence of stage acting and media acting is the same, I do not consider it challenging. They have different demands and appeals, but at the end of the day, I am just happy to be able to do the act of performing.

GT: K Dramas have opened up opportunities for artists across, what do you think makes K Dramas and story telling so special, since the world loves them? What have you enjoyed most about your journey.

Shin Hyun Soo :There are many reasons why Korean culture and arts, in other words, K-content, are loved, but it is hard to pinpoint a single reason. I just want to express my infinite gratitude to the fans around the world who love K-content and add that nowadays are my most enjoyed, since we are receiving so much love and support.

GT: Do you believe in aliens and monsters? Your favourite alien/ monster film or drama?

Shin Hyun Soo: I wouldn’t say I believe in their existence, but as the earth contains many different kinds of lifeforms, I tend to consider the possibility of lifeforms that are yet unknown. A monster film that strongly impacted me was a Korean film, The Host. The experience of watching a movie that pictures a living monster in Seoul, which was a familiar place for me as a child, made me wonder if there might actually be monsters in the Han river, and all this imagination made this movie the most unforgettable monster film.

GT: Are you familiar with Indian movies and have any plans to visit India, since Korean content is hugely popular here?

Shin Hyun Soo :Three Idiots and RRR are some famous Indian films I have truly enjoyed watching. Indian films are admirable in the way they depict emotions. This special feature is so unique to India, I love how the movies express and share poignant messages about life and spread happiness. I hope I get the opportunity to visit India and experience the culture in person. I especially want to visit Goa and see the beautiful sunrise. Thank You.

Picture credits: Studio Dragon