K-actor Byeon Woo-seok says 10 years of work has paid off after Lovely Runner role
K-actor Byeon Woo-seok says 10 years of work has paid off after Lovely Runner role
SINGAPORE – Amid his busy schedule, South Korean actor Byeon Woo-seok took time out for a whirlwind trip to Singapore last week.
On April 24, the 33-year-old star attended a gala dinner held at the National Gallery Singapore celebrating Cartier's Nature Sauvage high jewellery collection, alongside stars like British actress Gemma Chan and Chinese actor Bai Jingting.
A selection of the French luxury house's pieces will also be on display at the gallery as part of the museum's City Of Others exhibition, which will run till Aug 17.
The Cartier ambassador did not get much time to sight-see during his brief stay here, he told The Straits Times in an e-mail interview, but at least he got to eat some good food.
He said: 'I was reminded once again (on my second trip) that Singapore offers so much to see, is a wonderful place for shopping and, above all, boasts a stunning cityscape, especially the night view. During my last visit, I had the chance to try chilli crab and, this time, I enjoyed a delicious bowl of prawn mee.'
Byeon made his maiden trip here for a sold-out fan meeting at the Singapore Expo in June 2024 and an accompanying press conference, where he charmed journalists by handing out yellow roses to them .
His popularity in the region came on the heels of the hit fantasy romance series Lovely Runner (2024), about a young woman (Kim Hye-yoon) who gets transported back in time and tries to prevent the death of her favourite idol (Byeon).
The K-drama propelled Byeon, previously largely known for supporting roles in romance series Record Of Youth (2020) and action comedy Strong Girl Nam-soon (2023), to instant leading-man status , making him one of the most popular K-stars of the moment .
Not only did he kick off his first Asia fan meeting tour, but he is also nominated for Best Actor in a TV series at the upcoming Baeksang Arts Awards in May for his performance in Lovely Runner.
His rise may seem quick to outsiders, but to Byeon, who made his acting debut in 2016, it is the result of a decade of consistent work.
' Looking back, 2024 feels like an extraordinary moment when the goals and dreams I've worked towards since my early days in the industry have finally become a reality. It's been about 10 years, and I truly feel that all the time I spent and effort I put in have been acknowledged.
'I'm deeply grateful and filled with immense appreciation for my staff and fans who have consistently supported and believed in me , not just up until now, but every step of the way ,' he said.
Lovely Runner also marked a new challenge for Byeon's career – singing – as he played the vocalist of fictional band Eclipse. As part of the original soundtrack, the band released songs, such as the popular Sudden Shower, to accompany the show.
Byeon, who took singing lessons in preparation for his role, made an appearance to perform Sudden Shower live at music awards ceremony Mama Awards in Japan in November 2024.
Sudden Shower managed to squeeze into the Billboard Global 200 chart, peaking at No. 167 – a remarkable success for a song by a group that does not technically exist.
When asked if he would embark on a professional singing career, Byeon said: '(Eclipse) was my first time venturing into music. Seeing such positive results, it gave me a sense of accomplishment that felt different from acting. I would love to give it another try if a good opportunity arises in the future.'
His popularity also made him a brand darling, landing him the ambassadorship with Cartier, which was announced in November 2024.
When asked what sort of jewellery pieces he prefers, the 1.9m-tall heart-throb said: 'Rather than focusing on whether it's gold, silver or gemstones, I aim to choose jewellery that complements the outfit of the day. When my look is simple, I like to accentuate it with something striking. When the look is already elaborate, I prefer to balance it with more refined and understated pieces.'
Looking ahead, Byeon is slated to star in a new drama with popular singer-actress IU, who is also nominated for Best Actress in a TV series at the Baeksang Arts Awards for the tearjerker period series When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025).
The pair will romance each other in the tentatively titled Wife Of A 21st Century Prince, set in an alternate version of South Korea as a constitutional monarchy, with IU playing a rich heiress and Byeon portraying a prince.
He said: ' At this moment, I truly want to challenge myself with a variety of genres and characters. I believe that stepping outside my comfort zone and taking on roles I haven't yet experienced will provide invaluable growth as an actor.
'Additionally, I want to show the public different sides of myself, so that they may think: 'It's refreshing to see such a new side of Byeon Woo-seok.''
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