The villain of "True Education" Episode 1, Lee Seung-gyu: "A good person before being a good actor" [★FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

• Interview with actor Lee Seung-gyu, who plays Ryu Jun-hyung, the perpetrator of power-based school violence in the Netflix original series "True Education"

Actor Lee Seung-gyu, who left a strong impression with his portrayal of a school violence perpetrator in the first episode of "True Education," has shared his thoughts on his surging popularity.

Recently, StarNews conducted an interview with actor Lee Seung-gyu at the Seoul Jongno-gu office, where the Netflix original series "True Education" (directed by Hong Jong-chan, written by Lee Nam-gyu, Kim Da-hee, and Moon Jong-ho) was unveiled on the 5th.

"True Education" is a series depicting the refreshing and satisfying true education of the National Office for the Protection of Teachers' Rights, established to safeguard the teaching authority and educational landscape of the Republic of Korea, which had been undermined by students, teachers, and parents who overstepped their bounds. The series has continued its box office success by topping the Netflix Global Non-English Series chart.

Lee Seung-gyu opened the drama with his role as Ryu Jun-hyeong, the son of next presidential candidate Ryu Gwang-pil (Rep.) (played by Song Young-gyu) and a school violence perpetrator, in the first episode of "True Education." He has received praise for delivering a powerful performance as a school violence perpetrator who dominates the school through violence, leaving a strong impression.

When asked if he feels the global popularity of "Squid Game," Lee Seung-gyu replied, "Many people have contacted me in large numbers. Honestly, I am quite stunned. I still cannot fully realize that I am receiving so much love. Although I played a very small role, it is a great honor for me to have been part of the work 'Squid Game'."

Lee Seung-gyu appeared in the first episode, signaling the official start of "True Education." Given that he played the villain in the premiere, did he feel any burden?

Lee Seung-gyu said, "It is true that I felt burdened because this episode is meant to introduce the identity of the work, featuring an organization called the National Authority for the Protection of Teachers' Rights." He added, "My senior colleagues and the fellow actors I appeared with helped greatly by meeting multiple times in the practice room to coordinate our performances. If we had not rehearsed together so extensively, I likely would not have had the confidence on set. There was mutual trust among us on the set."

Lee Chan-yong, who portrayed Kim Kyung-min, a victim of school violence in the first inning, formed an exceptionally close bond with Lee Seung-gyu. Lee Seung-gyu stated, "We always coordinated together with my older brother (Lee Chan-yong). He would encourage me by saying, 'Lee Seung-gyu, your gaze is too intense. Thanks to your gaze, I can feel the emotions well.' We had many conversations about the scenes we shared," expressing his deep trust in Kim Kyung-min.

Lee Seung-gyu, born in 1999, is 26 years old. When asked about his feelings on acting in a school uniform in his mid-20s, he joked, "I still live thinking I am in my early 20s," adding, "I was grateful for every day I wore the uniform, and if possible, I would love to wear it again in the future," eliciting laughter.

Ryu Jun-hyeong is a perpetrator of school violence who has become as evil as possible, backed by power. Regarding this individual, Lee Seung-gyu said, "Many people call Ryu Jun-hyeong a villain, but I sought to find the deficiency in his character, which was a lack of love."

He added, "I thought the elementary and middle school student who did not receive love from his parents was stuck in that time. In particular, I found a great lack in the relationship with his father, Ryu Kwang-pil. In fact, since I do not appear in so many scenes, I had great concerns. I wanted to show the character in a three-dimensional way and wanted to be seen not just as a character but as a 'person'."

Lee Seung-gyu said the scene he was most eager to perform was the fire scene that appears in the latter half of Episode 1. Regarding this, Lee Seung-gyu stated, "There is a scene where the child, terrified as the flames spread, cries and runs away like a child, and I felt a strong desire to portray that scene. I wanted it to be the opposite of Ryu Jun-hyung's previous portrayal. The script direction itself included phrases like 'crying like a child,' so I think I really pushed myself in my performance."

Not only in this scene, but Lee Seung-gyu also made a strong impression in every memorable scene of the first episode. This includes the scenes where Na Hwa-jin (played by Kim Mu-yeol) delivers "true education" to Ryu Jun-hyung. Regarding the scene where Ryu Jun-hyung flips food waste over himself in the cafeteria, Lee Seung-gyu recalled, "At the time of filming, school friends were in my direct line of sight from the spot where I fell. I still remember the looks in their eyes as they stared at me (covered in food waste). Without realizing it, I felt a surge of shame, and my face turned redder and hotter than the chili powder smeared on it."

Lee Seung-gyu, who debuted in the 2021 web drama '@Account Deleted', has been expanding his acting spectrum by appearing in dramas such as 'Our Love Simulation', 'Walking to the Wilderness 2023', and 'So, I Live Today'. What does 'True Education' mean to him, who was previously seen mostly in youth and romance dramas, as a new face?

Lee Seung-gyu said, "It was a role I had never tried before, so I am very grateful for this opportunity and to the director and writer who gave it to me. The more deficient a character is, the more appealing they become to me. The conversations I had with the director were like, 'I hope it feels like a documentary.' Since the first episode of 'True Education' felt heavy, I had concerns and ambitions, but I acted diligently with the hope that it would appear like a real person."

He also revealed his affection for "True Education," stating, "I went through two or three auditions to appear on the show. During one audition, the director asked me, 'Why do you act?' I replied, 'I want to become a good actor.' The director then said, 'You have become a person.' That was the most sincere audition I have ever had. I am grateful that I was able to discover the real Lee Seung-gyu, and in that sense, 'True Education' is a precious gift to me."

"True education" was also the late Song Young-gyu's final work. The deceased was transferred without detention to the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office last June on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving). The late Song 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 inside a vehicle at a townhouse in Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, just ten days after being transferred without detention to the Prosecutors' Office, on August 4 of that year.

Lee Seung-gyu recalled the filming scene of "True Education" with Song Young-gyu, saying, "I had a really fun time filming with the senior. When I first met him while getting makeup done and greeted him, the senior kindly asked me, 'Where do you live? How old are you? You're about the same age as my daughter,' and initiated the conversation. Even after filming ended, he praised me, saying, 'Lee Seung-gyu, your expressions were really good. Thanks to you, the acting came out well,' which made me feel truly proud."

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

The program also shared details about the relationship and behind-the-scenes dynamics between the Ryu father and son. Scenes in which Ryu Jun-hyung was assaulted with a golf club by Ryu Kwang-pil were filmed but ultimately edited out.

Lee Seung-gyu said, "I thought the edited golf club explained some narrative or deficiency in Ryu Jun-hyung. Because Ryu Jun-hyung was raised under an authoritarian father and a mother who did not complain about it, I thought I had also shown an authoritarian demeanor at school, and I acted accordingly."

He also mentioned actor Kim Mu-yeol, who played Na Hwa-jin, with whom he first shared acting chemistry through 'True Education'. Lee Seung-gyu said, "This was the first time I had a senior like him. He gave me various comments during filming. We met again at the wrap party, and he greeted me so warmly by waving his hand. I was truly grateful."

He continued, "(Kim Mu-yeol) said, 'You really did well. Don't doubt yourself. There will be difficult and tough moments ahead, so never give up. Let's endure them together.' I was infinitely moved. In fact, I had always liked him. There were many beautiful couple photos of (married) senior Kim Mu-yeol and senior Yoon Seung-ah, so I used them as my phone's background wallpaper. Since the photos were beautiful, I felt good," expressing deep gratitude toward Kim Mu-yeol.

Lee Seung-gyu also said, "Senior Kim Moo-yeol's composure is so cool. As a junior, I received a lot of help from him. The fact that I can offer help myself is something that only a veteran can do, yet Senior Kim takes care of all his juniors. I hope to become an actor with a broad perspective like him, one who can look after his juniors in the future," as he smiled.

In the latter half, the confrontation between Ryu Jun-hyung and Na Hwa-jin maximizes viewers' immersion. In particular, Na Hwa-jin shouting while mentioning "hell" to Ryu Jun-hyung delivered immense catharsis.

Regarding that scene, Lee Seung-gyu recalled, "There was a scene where Na Hwa-jin, the character I played, screamed at Ryu Jun-hyeong, 'Because of people like you.' Even though it was a scene where I was being scolded by the collar, I strangely felt grateful. It was as if I had met a real adult. When I was genuinely scolded, I realized, 'I really am that kind of person.' At that moment, I think feelings of regret rose up while I was acting."

Lee Seung-gyu, who made his debut in the 2021 web drama "@Account Deleted," has been steadily expanding his filmography with appearances in dramas such as "Our Love Simulation," "Walking to the Wilderness 2023," and "So, Today I'm Still Living."

Lee Seung-gyu said, "When asked which role I am most confident in, I used to say 'I don't know,' but upon reflection, 'Why don't I know?' that turned into 'I can do anything.' I may not know how many people will view me this way, but I am confident in my ability to handle various roles."

He stated, "I am open to melodrama, and I also have a desire for action and want to show blood and guts. I believe I can display various faces across diverse genres such as crime and thriller. As time passes, I feel there are things I am learning as a person and through experience. There were things I would not have known even if I died back then, but as time slowly passes, I feel I am maturing. It seems I am ripening and becoming like a fine wine."

Lee Seung-gyu, who aims to become a "good person" before becoming a "good actor," said, "I was also someone with immense passion, ambition, and determination, but at some point, I was broken. There was a time when my self-esteem dropped. When I asked myself, 'What kind of person do you want to be?' I ultimately concluded that I do this work to become a good person."

He added, "The reason a good person must come first is that no life involves meeting as many characters as an actor does. If I am not a good person, and I encounter a character without conviction, the character cannot be fully realized. To act, one must live rightly," revealing his conviction.

He added, "In the end, I think I will be satisfied if I hear the words 'Lee Seung-gyu was a good person.' That is cool, and I believe that is what is truly cool."

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*This content was translated by AI.