From Hwang Dong-man to Seo Young-cheol: Koo Kyo-hwan Says He’s Still the Same Despite Rising Fame [Cannes Interview]

Koo Kyo-hwan shared insights about his latest project during an interview for the movie ‘Swarm’ (directed by Yeon Sang-ho) on the afternoon of the 16th (local time) at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France. ‘Swarm’ was invited to the Midnight Screening section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival and officially premiered at the Grand Théâtre Lumière on the 15th.

‘Swarm’ is a thrilling tale of isolated survivors trapped in a building during a mysterious infection outbreak, battling infected beings that evolve in unpredictable ways. Director Yeon Sang-ho, a frequent guest at Cannes, has been invited for the fourth time, following ‘The King of Pigs’ (2012, Director’s Fortnight), ‘Train to Busan’ (2016, Midnight Screening), and ‘Peninsula’ (2020, Official Selection). Known for leaving a strong mark on the global film scene with his unique twists on the Korean zombie genre, Director Yeon has once again proven his prowess as the father of K-zombies through ‘Swarm’.

In the film, Koo Kyo-hwan takes on the role of Seo Young-cheol, the biological doctor responsible for the infection, showcasing a brand-new side of himself as a villain.

Koo Kyo-hwan has been keeping fans entertained with a variety of roles, from ‘If We’ last year to the current JTBC series ‘Everyone is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness’ and the upcoming ‘Swarm’. When asked if he notices his increased recognition, he admitted, “Yes. It’s so amazing. It still feels surreal. I find myself thinking, ‘Wait, they know me here too?’ Even last night, people recognized me and called my name, which was really surprising. It’s a strange feeling, and I’m trying to enjoy it.”

As for whether anything has changed since becoming more famous, he joked, “I haven’t changed. Coming to the Cannes Film Festival feels just like the first time I went to the Busan International Film Festival. If anything has changed… maybe my guarantee?”

He further explained, “My attitude when I first started acting is exactly the same as when I played Seo Young-cheol in ‘Swarm’. It just doesn’t change, and I think that’s a good thing about myself.”

Shin Hyun-bin, a close friend and frequent co-star, added to the praise, saying, “From my perspective, nothing has changed. If anything, he seems to take even better care of people than before. He’s not the type to make a big deal out of it, but when you’re with him, you can really feel that he’s being considerate.” This comment left Koo Kyo-hwan feeling quite proud.

Meanwhile, ‘Swarm’, which made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, is set to be released in Korea on the 21st.