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“The Young Man and the Deep Sea” is a feature-length film in the Korean Competition category at the 20th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival. It is also the title of the 2nd mini album by Lim Hyunsik, a member of BTOB and a solo artist. On the 6th, the day after the opening ceremony, I met actor Lim Hyunsik at the Seoul Arts Center. He smiled as if embarassed by the title of an “actor”, but once the interview began, he seriously and calmly shared his musical journey and future plans. His story, which is as deep and blue as the sea, was thoughtfully flowing without hesitation.
I heard that ‘The Young Man and the Deep Sea’ tickets were sold out as soon as the film festival tickets started. I also heard that even actor Lim Hyunsik’s mother failed to get the ticket.
Yesterday, I participated in the opening ceremony and walked on the red carpet. It felt unfamiliar, but also good. Just sitting in the opening ceremony made me feel like I had taken my first step on the path of a filmmaker, and it filled me with excitement and gratitude. I’m also incredibly thankful for the fans who showed so much interest. My mother, though, only watched the opening ceremony and then headed back to Seoul (laughs).
As a singer, attending a film festival must not have been easy for you.
It was a huge challenge for me. When I submitted my work, I was hoping it would at least be selected for a non-competitive section, but I’m so grateful that they liked my work to select it for the competitive section. I tend to be calm and reserved, but when I got the news from the director over the phone, I was so excited that I felt ‘high’ for the first time in a while. I couldn’t believe it. The waiting period from the submission to the start of the festival was such a happy time for me.
I wanted to express the feeling of ‘The Young Man and the Sea’. The music video was shot with such hardship that I almost passed out. Every moment was a challenge.
I heard that you got the inspiration for your album and film titles from Hemingway’s novel ‘The Old Man and the Sea’.
When I read ‘The Old Man and the Sea’, I found the old man is so cool (laugh). To be able to do one thing for a long time is so admirable, and I love how he quietly pursued his dream to achieve something on his own. While preparing my solo album, I also felt that solitude was necessary for me to shine brighter and to advance to the next level. I spent a lot of time alone, intentionally trying to embrace that solitude. That’s why I wanted to pay homage to Hemingway’s work by expressing the feel of ‘The Young Man and the Deep Sea’ and ‘The Young Man and the Deep Sea’.
I’m curious if there are any scenes or points in the film that you hope the audience will pay special attention to.
Many people think that the music video was filmed in a studio with a lot of CGI. However, none of the scenes were filmed in a studio; all underwater shots were taken in the sea. I think that’s a key point of the film. Filming underwater was physically and mentally exhausting. You may wonder about it since I appear so happy in the film. There were many challenging scenes that made me think, ‘I must’ve gone crazy’ or ‘How did I manage that?’ I hope people notice this aspect. There’s a scene in the film where I hold my breath for a really long time, which isn’t shown in the music video. I even remember feeling emotional when I saw that scene during editing.
I wonder as to why you chose to produce this as a movie rather than releasing it as a making-of film.
I’m a musician and I love music, but I also have a high passion for various forms of art, and film is one of them. I’ve loved watching movies since I was young, and I often got inspiration from films while doing my work. I also have a desire to eventually try to do film music. In that sense, bringing this film to a film festival can be seen as a challenge in itself.
If you were to challenge yourself with film music, what genre of film would you like to work on?
I really admire Ennio Morricone. He worked on film music across many different genres. Among his works, I particularly love the lovely pieces that emphasize the romantic atmosphere. This album mainly contains my own story, but someday, I’d like to work on film music for a romance between two lovers.
I heard that you enjoy diving so much to the point you have a RESCUE license. Even so, shooting a music video in the sea without equipment must have been really challenging.
There were so many things that happened that I can’t even describe. We did a lot of tests since it’s dangerous. Although we visited the locations during the preliminary survey, but every day was different. To keep me from floating, we attached various weights to my body, and dealing with the costume and hair was difficult too. To make certain expressions were also challenging. The hardest part while filming was when I kept my eyes opened for a few hours, it felt like I couldn’t see because my eyes were so strained. I couldn’t open my eyes, and even when I did, I still couldn’t see. It was to the point where I wondered if my eyes were damaged. The final scene involved sinking into the water, and after multiple takes, water kept on entering into my nose, it felt like seawater was filling my brain. I couldn’t see anything, couldn’t breathe, and water was coming in through my nose. I thought I might faint if this continued, and I kept thinking that if I did, someone would rescue me (laugh).
In the film, the weather always seems unpredictable. There are days that were more beautiful than expected, but there must have been many days that were not good. I recall you mentioned that some days were like a ‘disaster movie-level weather’.
During the preliminary survey, we encountered some truly big waves. It was the scariest wave I’ve ever encountered in my life. We ended up changing our location because we couldn’t go to the originally planned spot, but in that new location, we encountered a huge manta ray. It was my first time seeing a manta ray, and it felt like a lucky sign before the filming. Whenever the weather was bad, the director and I would tell each other that even if things didn’t go as planned, it might lead to better results. So, we accepted it right away and proceeded with the filming. In a way, I think it made me feel even more in solitude. Palau is a beautiful place, but if everything had been too sunny and bright, it might not have felt as solitary.
I’m so grateful to the BTOB members who understand and support me, and I’m always thankful to the fans whose lives have changed because of my music.
In the interviews with BTOB members in the film, I felt like they really understand what kind of person actor Lim Hyunsik is, what you have been striving for, given the long time you’ve spent together, and they also completely trust you.
I plan to invite the members to watch the film together. I’m going to rent out a movie theater and invite the members, acquaintances, family, and fans. I also watched the member interviews during the editing process, and I was really grateful to see how well they know me after all these years. I think the members might be even more surprised when they watch the film. They already called me ‘crazy’ just from watching the music video, so I wonder if they’ll think, ‘He’s even crazier than Hyunsik that I knew!’ after watching the movie (laugh).
How did the fans react after the release ‘La Mar’ music video?
The reactions from fans who gain strength from listening to the music I created are the driving force behind my life. It’s the most rewarding feedback for me. When I hear that people have found strength from my music during tough times, it really gives me strength. I’m also amazed when fans say that they’ve become better person because of me. It makes me feel a greater sense of responsibility and motivates me to be more serious in producing my music.
I’m also curious about the path that artist and actor Lim Hyunsik will take in the future.
Although my MBTI is P (laughs), I actually have many long-term plans. I want to try working on film music, and while I’ve released many songs as part of a team, I feel like I haven’t fully expressed my music as a solo artist yet, so I’d like to release albums. I have a strong desire for solo work. In the near future, I want to release a full-length album and continue studying music. I’m also taking instrument lessons. I hope to gradually build up my skills and eventually work on film music as well someday. I want to keep upgrading myself.
I’m planning to make the film accessible to more people.
Someday, I’d like to challenge myself at film music as well.
There is also ‘One Summer Night’ performance scheduled for the 7th.
Since the film is themed around the sea, I’ve prepared songs related to the sea. I think the mood will feel a bit different. It’s exciting just imagining performing on a music stage at a film festival where the film I appeared in is being showcased. Although I find it awkward to call myself an actor (laughs), I want to go on stage as someone who is both a singer and an actor. I tried to embrace solitude, but in the end, I shine because of the people who support me. I felt this even more while working on this album.
I wonder if there will be more opportunities for those who couldn’t watch the film at the film festival.
Although it’s not confirmed yet, so I’m cautious about saying this, but I’m preparing to make the film available to as many people as possible. I’m considering options like screenings on theater or making it available on OTT platforms. I hope not only fans but also divers, filmmakers, and those who love the sea, as well as people interested in underwater filming like directoe James Cameron, will have the chance to watch the film (laugh).
Finally, please send a message for the audience who will watch the film.
First, I want to express my gratitude. Since this music video and film were made with the determination to die (a great dedication and effort), so I hope you see my sincerity. And if you find the film is good, I’d be grateful if you give your support for my future endeavors. The film festival has helped me to shine more brightly, and I hope you look forward to my repeated process of going through solitude and growing to be better. Above all, I hope you watch the film a lot (laugh).
Actor Lim Hyunsik, who constantly yearns for growth, mentioned that he wishes to continue pursuing art in some form even as he grows older. As he expands his domain from idol to solo artist to actor, the path of art he will create is bound to be diverse. Could he return to the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival as a film music director someday? The path of artist Lim Hyunsik, who crosses limits and boundaries, is certainly worth watching.
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