People

On the occasion of the 24th edition of the Florence Korea Film Fest (Florence, 18-28 March, 2028), our journalist Marilena Tesoro met the korean actor Gong Yoo during a press conference on Friday, March 20. Gong Yoo is not only the star of the festival but he will also receive a special award from the City of Florence in recognition of his outstanding contribution to cinema and television.

As the leading guest of this year’s edition, a curated selection of the most significant titles from his career is being screened throughout the week, —works that have played a key role in shaping the global success of Korean storytelling.

Renowned for his versatility and emotional intensity, Gong Yoo has built a remarkable career spanning both film and television. His credits range from the intimate and poignant A Man and A Woman to the socially impactful Silenced, as well as internationally acclaimed hits such as Train to Busan and the global phenomenon Squid Game, which have significantly contributed to the worldwide expansion of Korean audiovisual content. Another significant title is the romantic thriller drama The Trunk on Netflix.

During the event, Formatbiz had the opportunity to ask the actor which role had been the most challenging of his career. His response offers a revealing insight into the ethical awareness and emotional depth that define his approach to acting: “I believe that, in any case, the film Silenced (‘도가니’), being based on a real event that happened in our country, inevitably carried a certain weight simply in the process of making it. It took part in the film with good intentions, and I personally wanted to be involved, taking the initiative. However, I still felt a strong sense of responsibility and emotional involvement towards the real victims.
For this reason, while acting, when trying to connect with the character, it was more difficult. I felt very cautious, because there was a risk that, even if the film was made with good intentions, the people who had actually experienced those events might somehow be hurt again.”

He also reflected on his experience in television, highlighting another particularly demanding role:“Among dramas, my role in Goblin was especially significant. It was a fantasy drama that also included elements of comedy and a wide range of complex emotions.
During filming, I didn’t fully realise it, but once everything was over, I understood how emotionally involved I had been. Perhaps because of that role, I felt it wasn’t easy.
Even within the drama, the character felt like being on an emotional rollercoaster, and for me as well, after filming ended, I kept thinking over time: ‘It wasn’t a simple job for me.’”