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“Talking Like a Dialect”: Actor Yoon Kyung-ho Reveals Passion Behind His Chatty Persona

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Actor Yoon Kyung-ho, known for his talkative persona, discussed his recent acting success and his unique approach to performance.
  • He gained significant attention after appearing on the web show "Pinggyego," where his lengthy conversations earned him the nickname "heavy talker."
  • Yoon reflected on his career, his "silent vow" performance, and his desire to continue growing as an actor.

Actor Yoon Kyung-ho, currently riding a wave of popularity, opened an interview by humorously requesting that interviewers signal him when his answers become too long, fearing he might "talk like a dialect" and overwhelm them. This self-aware comment perfectly set the stage for a conversation about his recent successes and his distinctive communication style.

I'm worried that it might be difficult for you to write because my answers are too long... If you feel like I've answered enough, please give me a signal. Once I start talking like a dialect, I get so excited and talk too much on my own.

— Yoon Kyung-hoOpening the interview with a humorous request about his talkative nature.

Yoon has become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, starring in a string of successful dramas including "Chief Detective 1958" and "The Recruit." His appearance on the web show "100 Minutes Talk is Pinggyego" alongside stars Kim Nam-gil and Ju Ji-hoon particularly showcased his reputation as a "heavy talker," generating considerable buzz.

I also have times when I'm quiet when I'm not in good condition.

— Yoon Kyung-hoExplaining that his talkativeness varies with his condition.

Despite his talkative image, Yoon explained that his verbosity depends on his condition, sometimes leading to extended conversations and other times to silence. He described a routine of "warming up" his voice before filming, engaging in small talk with colleagues to prepare for performances. He also recounted a "silent vow" challenge related to the drama "Chief Detective 1958," where he maintained silence for over 13 hours, an experience he found deeply moving.

I had a time called a 'silent fan signing event,' and it was truly touching.

— Yoon Kyung-hoDescribing his experience during a 'silent vow' performance.

Reflecting on his two-decade career, which began with theater in 1999, Yoon attributed his current success to the accumulation of diverse roles during his "nameless" periods. He shared insights into his acting process, including his portrayal of a character with a Mokpo dialect and his approach to action sequences in "Chief Detective 1958," where he even proposed specific ad-libbed scenes. As he navigates this peak in his career, Yoon expressed both excitement about public attention and a commitment to returning to a "zero base" to continue his growth as an actor.

I've accumulated various characters, even if they weren't shown to many people, by going through long periods of being unknown and doing theater.

— Yoon Kyung-hoReflecting on his long acting career before achieving fame.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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