[E-Daily Reporter Choi Hee-jae ] “Actress Jeon Do-yeon? Do I really need to say more?”

Actor Seol Kyung-gu spoke about his chemistry with Jeon Do-yeon during an interview held on the 9th at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, to mark the release of “Possible Love.”

Released on the 6th, “Possible Love” tells the story of a couple—one a laid-off worker and the other wealthy—whose lives become intertwined through the production of a documentary, forcing them to confront their own desires and the cracks in their relationships. Jeon Do-yeon played the role of Ho-seok, the laid-off worker, and starred alongside Jo In-sung and Jo Yeo-jeong.

In particular, he reunited with Jeon Do-yeon as a married couple, following their previous collaborations in *I Wish I Had a Wife*, *Birthday*, *Gil Bok-soon*, and *Heartbeat*. Seol Kyung-gu remarked, “I think I’ve worked with her more than anyone else,” adding, “I consider her the most comfortable to work with—the best actress and the best partner.”

He went on to praise her, saying, “Doesn’t Jeon Do-yeon carry this movie from start to finish? It’s the kind of performance I couldn’t even imagine without her. I think it was only possible because it was Jeon Do-yeon.” He then joked, “She delivers her lines almost like she’s rapping.”

He also shared a behind-the-scenes story from the set. After Jo In-sung and Jo Yeo-jeong had finished filming, only Seol Kyung-gu and Jeon Do-yeon remained. Seol Kyung-gu drew attention when he said, “Jeon Do-yeon said, ‘The bright and cheerful ones have left—how am I supposed to shoot all night with the gruff Seol Kyung-gu?’ Then she said, ‘Sit down,’ and cut my hair.”

He continued, “What else could I do? I had to let her cut it. But I just liked the way she was, the thought behind it,” adding, “There’s no need to say anything—it’s not like I need to praise her, and it would feel strange to say such things,” casually revealing the close bond they’ve built over the years.

This marks his first collaboration with director Lee Chang-dong in a whopping 24 years, following *Peppermint Candy* (2000) and *Oasis* (2002). Seol Kyung-gu said he reflected on his “beginner’s mind” while working on this project.

“Back then, the challenges I faced day after day were so overwhelming, and I felt guilty thinking I couldn’t handle them. The pressure was that intense,” he recalled.

He continued, “This set was incomparably more enjoyable and pleasant than back then, but I still needed to maintain a sense of tension regarding the role I was playing,” adding, “It was tough, but I have fond memories of the work we did on set back then. As I recalled those memories, I tried to hypnotize myself by repeating, ‘I’m back to my roots, I’m back to my roots.’”

Director Lee Chang-dong had been preparing this project for over a decade but shelved it several times. Factors such as the weighty subject matter and difficult production conditions played a role. However, following a proposal from writer Oh Jeong-mi, the characters of a documentary-making couple were added, and the film was ultimately released under the title *Possible Love*.

Seol Kyung-gu said, “Ten years ago, the director had planned to tell a story about workers under the title *Ok-i and Seok-i*. It seems the director struggled with the decision a great deal,” adding that he joined the project after being contacted last year.

He remarked, “This might sound irresponsible, but I just wanted to work with Lee Chang-dong,” adding, “The thought of seeing casting news with another actor in the role was dreadful.”

He continued, “If I hadn’t received an offer, I would have just thought, ‘Oh, he’s moving forward without me.’ But since I was offered the role and couldn’t take it because my schedule didn’t work out, wouldn’t another actor have taken it instead? I didn’t think I could bear that. I wasn’t even interested in what the film was about,” drawing laughter from the audience.

Earlier, he had drawn attention for shedding tears after the film’s premiere at the Venice International Film Festival. Seol Kyung-gu said, “I saw it for the first time at the technical screening, and the other actors were talking about the moon so much. I wasn’t feeling that way, so I wondered, ‘Did I see it wrong?’”

He continued, “But in Venice, I could really feel it. When the moon was illuminated, it stirred something strange in my heart,” adding, “Fortunately, (Jo) In-sung cried with me, so I felt better,” which drew laughter.

“Possible Love” was released via the global online video service (OTT) Netflix rather than in theaters. Seol Kyung-gu confessed, “To be honest, I was a bit disappointed that our film wouldn’t be shown in theaters,” adding, “It could have been risky, but I’m deeply moved that this film was able to come to life.”

He continued, “When I think about how this film might not have been produced at all, I’m glad and grateful to Netflix,” adding, “I was upset when we were discussing investment. I’m sure all the actors felt the same way, not just me.” He then drew laughter by saying, “Later, In-sung showed up to our first meeting wearing a Cannes T-shirt.” When asked if that was a declaration of his intention to go to Cannes, he replied, “That might have been his intention (laughs), but I think the fact that the film was produced, screened, and seen by so many people was meaningful in and of itself.”

Regarding Lee Chang-dong’s films, Seol Kyung-gu said, “The director’s films seem to be intertwined with society. He seems to focus on how structural issues and polarization affect individuals,” adding, “He seems to let these issues seep in—even if slowly—without being sensational.”