'True Education' Lee Seung-gyu, on the news of the late Song Young-gyu, who played his father... "I can't believe it" [Interview ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

• Interview with actor Lee Seung-gyu, who played Ryu Jun-hyung, the perpetrator of school violence by those in power, in the Netflix original series 'True Education'

Actor Lee Seung-gyu expressed his longing while recalling conversations he had with the late Song Young-gyu during the filming of 'True Education'.

Recently, StarNews conducted an interview with actor Lee Seung-gyu at its Seoul Jongno-gu headquarters, following the the 5th release of the Netflix original series 'True Education' (directed by Hong Jong-chan, written by Lee Nam-gyu, Kim Da-hee, and Moon Jong-ho).

'True Education' is a series depicting the refreshing and satisfying 'true education' carried out by the School Rights Protection Bureau, established to defend the educational rights of teachers and the educational landscape of the Republic of Korea, which had collapsed due to students, teachers, and parents who overstepped their bounds. The series has topped the Netflix global non-English series chart and continues its box office success.

In the first episode of 'True Education', Lee Seung-gyu played Ryu Jun-hyung, the son of future presidential candidate Ryu Gwang-pil (Rep.) (played by Song Young-gyu) and a school violence perpetrator, opening the drama. Lee Seung-gyu and the late Song Young-gyu portrayed a father-son relationship built solely on power.

'True Education' was also the late Song Young-gyu's final work. Last June, the late Song was transferred without detention to the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving). He was accused of driving while intoxicated for approximately 5 kilometers from Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, to Cheoin-gu. Subsequently, the late Song Young-gyu was found dead in a vehicle inside a townhouse in Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, on August 4 of that year, ten days after being transferred without detention to the Prosecutors' Office.

Recalling the filming of 'True Education' with Song Young-gyu, Lee Seung-gyu said, "We had a really fun time filming with the senior. When I first met him during makeup and greeted him, he was a kind senior who initiated conversation, asking, 'Where do you live? How old are you? You're about the same age as my daughter.' Even after filming ended, he praised me, saying, 'Lee Seung-gyu, your expressions were really good. Thanks to you, the scene turned out well,' which made me feel very proud."

He continued, "When I received the news, I was in Gangwon-do. I came across the story on a TV news broadcast while passing by somewhere. I couldn't believe it. Since we had worked together on a project and shared conversations, my heart felt very heavy and I was deeply saddened. I remember going to pay my respects that very night."

He also shared stories about the relationship and behind-the-scenes details between Ryu and his son in the drama. The scene where Ryu Jun-hyung is beaten with a golf club by Ryu Kwang-pil was filmed but ultimately edited out.

Lee Seung-gyu explained, "I thought the edited golf club scene explained a certain narrative and deficiency in Ryu Jun-hyung. Because Ryu Jun-hyung grew up under an authoritarian father and a mother who did not complain about it, I believed he also displayed an authoritarian demeanor at school, and I acted accordingly."

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*This content was translated by AI.