Actor Ryeo Un delivered behind-the-scenes insights about ‘Weak Hero 2’.

On the 1st, an interview with lead actor Ryeo Un of the Netflix series ‘Weak Hero Class 2’ took place at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.

‘Weak Hero Class 2’ is the story of a model student named Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon) who transferred to Eunjang High School after facing trauma for failing to protect a friend he fought against violence for, and it depicts a desperate survival story and a brilliant tale of growth as he confronts greater violence to never lose a friend again.

After its release, the series gained global popularity. On this day, Ryeo Un said, “Since season 1 received such a positive response, I thought season 2 would be good as well, but I am very honored that the response has been even greater. I think this is the first time I have received so many contacts from acquaintances. Everyone said they enjoyed it and that it was good. One memorable comment was, ‘You don’t suit red.’ Additionally, after the release, foreign fans have been sending a lot of DMs. I’m really grateful, they say ‘OPPA’, ‘I love you’, ‘Baku is the best’, and things like that,” he laughed.

Ryeo Un played the role of Pak Hoo-min, the leader Baku, overflowing with justice in the Netflix series ‘Weak Hero Class 2’, which premiered on the 25th of last month, delivering an all-time great performance that captivated the eyes of global viewers as he intricately portrayed the growth narrative of youth.

Ryeo Un noted, “There were some pressures when joining, but it wasn’t entirely absent. There was a degree of it. (Since Baku has a lively personality), it was a bit difficult at first. I had many discussions with the director to adjust the intensity. I pondered a lot, but I thought Baku had to be this way. Rather than going for a solemn or plain approach, I wanted to show the personality of Pak Hoo-min. And the character itself is not fantasy-like, right? Still, I wanted to make a striking first appearance. So, I suggested that, even though it was winter, I wanted to wear shorts and flip-flops. I wanted to strongly showcase Baku’s personality from the very beginning.”

Ryeo Un also shared his perspective on Baku. He said, “The underlying premise for Baku is that he doesn’t come from a good family environment. Yet, the reason he could remain bright is that he seemed to have a mature mindset. I think he was a few years more mature than his peers and he paid a lot of attention to being cheerful. Also, Baku is the type who tries to take responsibility for all his friends. I think he saw the pain of death through Si-eun. Jun-tae is also a weak friend, but his efforts to overcome that must have seemed cool to Baku. I think a deep bond formed through the process of hanging out together.”

There were also insights about Ryeo Un’s school days. He mentioned, “In reality, it was quite different. I graduated from an all-boys school, so there were some similarities, but I don’t think I led the kids as a leader. So, experiencing this kind of acting felt really ‘great’. It’s a dream for guys, isn’t it? To be at the forefront. Especially during the fight scene, when I turn back, my friends are there, and it warms my heart,” he said, evoking laughter. He also confidently responded to the question about his actual strength, saying, “I don’t think I’m weak. I was really good at arm wrestling in high school. Unless the size difference was severe, I won against everyone.”

He also shared behind-the-scenes insights about the action. Ryeo Un stated, “Before filming, I attended action school for about two months. We kept practicing together, and during breaks on set, I worked with the martial arts director and the other actors. I had done some action before, but it was more a role of a warrior, so I had practiced sword and blade action. At first, I wondered if it would be difficult since it’s different from swords, but as I got used to it, I found it fun and enjoyed filming it. I particularly liked the first action scene showcased in the bowling alley. It was the first time Baku’s true action appeared, and it felt like it frequently showcased his characteristics. Hitting with a bowling ball or throwing a punch instead of a technical move seemed to represent Baku well,” he reminisced.

He also shared stories about the filming set. He said, “When I’m filming with seniors, I feel like I learn a lot and grow, which is great. It feels like a step forward. When I’m with friends my age, we always chat and it’s comfortable, as if we are just friends. However, when I’m with seniors, I tend to feel more nervous. When I’m with peers, it feels more relaxed. I definitely learned a lot on set. There was synergy when I filmed with friends my age, as we would observe and learn from each other. I also learned from Subin hyung, who encouraged me even when he didn’t have a scene. I went to his dorm and saw that he had densely analyzed the script. Seeing that made me think, ‘I need to work harder too.’”

There were also some regrets. Ryeo Un said, “There were some tones that came off too strongly. I wonder how it would have been if I had toned it down a bit. For example, during my first appearance? It felt like I had drunk too much makgeolli. I think it would have been better if I had just toned it down slightly,” he recalled. He continued, “One of the biggest reasons I wanted to take on ‘Weak Hero 2’ was that I’m a fan of the original work, and while I enjoyed season 1, I thought about how I would like to play the role of Baku, a man’s dream character, the leader. I also wanted to try a lot of action. I don’t think I had ever received such an offer before.”

He added, “After portraying Baku, I feel like I have loosened up a bit from my usually introverted self. I feel like I’ve become a little more cheerful.” He mentioned that he tried a role that was the opposite of what he has done until now, thinking, “I realized that I can take on such roles as well. I feel like I can expand my spectrum a bit more.” Moreover, when asked about future desired roles, he shyly said, “I would like to try a role like in ‘John Wick’, a munchkin role. But a silent one. I want to try that as well,” drawing attention.

Finally, when asked about season 3, he said, “The director hasn’t given me any hints, but I want to see it too. I think it would be good, and I’m looking forward to it. If it happens, I personally hope ‘Class 3’ will be a bit more peaceful, but I also feel like it might be a whirlwind. I think Baku will likely become close to Suho after season 2. I think they all would have gotten along well, but Baku will have a bit of a hard time. From Baku’s perspective, it seems like he ended season 2 not having resolved his guilt, but rather with it continuing to build up. I think the aspects of resolution will be depicted in season 3, but Baku will likely navigate through it cheerfully,” he elaborated.

[Photo] Provided by Netflix

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