Byun Woo-seok Overcomes 100 Failed Auditions to Find Success in Acting

South Korean actor Byun Woo-seok has disclosed that he faced over 100 rejections before his breakthrough in acting. The revelation came during his appearance on Hong Seok-cheon's YouTube show 'Hong Seok-cheon's Jewel Box,' which aired on April 16. Byun is currently featuring in the tvN drama 'Seonjae and Jump.'

Byun began his journey in the entertainment industry as a model while he was a 20-year-old college student. Hong Seok-cheon, the show's host, reminisced about Byun's early days, noting, "When Wooseok first modeled, he had a very actor-like face. That's why I tempted him every time I saw him. You never know when the opportunity will come, so make sure you learn how to act."

The path wasn't easy for Byun. He shared his numerous audition failures, stating, "I think I failed more than a hundred times. I kept failing, almost every time, to the point where I wondered if I could fail this much. In fact, I tried a lot. As I continued to do it, from then on I started getting auditions and progressed one by one.”

Byun mentioned 'Dear My Friend' as his debut work, a project where he felt overwhelmed to the point of not remembering his lines. He expressed profound gratitude towards senior actress Yoon Yeo-jeong, who supported him on set, even bringing him fruits to ease his nervousness.

The actor also discussed the international success of the movie '20th Century Girls,' acknowledging the affection it received globally. He recounted a memorable incident in Thailand, "At a Thai market, a chef showed me my drama and asked if it was right. It was so hot that I took off my top. I thought no one would recognize me, so I did that and it was amazing."

Reflecting on early criticisms, Byun humorously mentioned, "I’ve heard a lot of things like, ‘You won’t be around in a few years.’ But the work actually did well a few years later. That person had a lot of foresight."

Byun Woo-seok's story is a testament to perseverance in the competitive K-drama industry, proving that dedication and resilience can eventually lead to success. Stay tuned for more updates on his and other South Korean series.

Source: TenAsia

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