Byun Yo Han interview talking about recently concluded MBC series Black Out.
Three years ago, actor Byun Yo-han felt a profound loneliness—a heavy gift shaped by his passion and intensity for acting. To avoid being inauthentic, he immersed himself in solitude, striving to exist fully in each moment. These long stretches of loneliness ultimately yielded the praise of “great acting,” a testament to his dedication and intensity.
Byun Yo-han recently captivated audiences as Go Jeong-woo, a murderer, in the MBC Friday-Saturday drama Black Out, which concluded on the 4th. He infused the character with layers of sorrow, skillfully navigating the underlying emotions and contributing to the show’s success. Black Out premiered with a 2% viewership rating in its first week, steadily climbing to a commendable 8.8% by its finale.
“It felt like I was acting naked. The character of Go Jeong-woo has no distractions. He’s constantly battered, has no friends, and often acts while staring at a wall. My only companion was my emotions. The project made me feel isolated and constrained, creating a very lonely atmosphere on set. Perhaps that’s why it resonates with me so deeply; I find it hard to let go.”
Go Jeong-woo, portrayed by Byun Yo-han in Black Out, is wrongfully accused of a high-profile murder case in Mucheon City, serving ten years in prison. At just 19, he was implicated in the deaths of two friends and faced numerous challenges for himself and his family. The drama depicts his struggle to uncover the truth and prove his innocence after his release.
“I can honestly say I felt ‘very lonely’ during this drama. I still haven’t fully processed my emotions. This was the weakest character I’ve ever played—so fragile that I felt a strong need to protect him. I experienced significant loneliness on set until I connected with Sang-chul (Go Joon) and Ha-seol (Kim Bo-ra). Of course, I had to embrace that loneliness. To protect Go Jeong-woo, everyone on set acted with more passion and intensity.”
Byun Yo-han anchored the drama by portraying Go Jeong-woo’s evolution over the past decade and the psychological turmoil that ensued, utilizing his characteristic deep gaze and powerful acting. He depicted Go Jeong-woo as a ‘sweet son’ envied by others, grappling with finding the truth in a gray world where he felt abandoned. Notably, his portrayal of a high school student in his mid-thirties became a topic of discussion.
“I joked about apologizing to the public for wearing a school uniform, but it was a role I couldn’t have taken on even if I could turn back time. The plot and emotional arc relied heavily on my portrayal. Honestly, I felt a bit embarrassed wearing a school uniform; you can’t really wear one after graduating! (laughs) I had to muster the courage to pull it off.”
Byun Yo-han also acknowledged the dynamic with Go Joon, who played Noh Sang-chul, highlighting their deep bromance in the drama. Go Joon expressed a desire to win the Best Couple Award with Byun Yo-han in a prior interview, to which Byun responded playfully, “If my brother wants it, I’ll follow him as a younger brother.”
“I felt nervous every time I filmed with Go Joon. In the beginning, we hadn’t built a rapport, so it was awkward. I struggled to focus on my role, but now our relationship is solid. Since my brother wants the Best Couple Award, I have to support him as a younger brother! (laughs) Go Jeong-woo embodies my feelings of loneliness and solitude. Whenever Noh Sang-chul approached, I felt truly grateful, and that was genuine in real life.”
Byun Yo-han’s eyes reddened as he spoke about Go Jeong-woo’s suffering. Even though it had been three years since they filmed, he seemed to still embrace his character warmly. Each word felt sincere, reflecting his deep love for acting.
“I felt a sense of relief when the drama ended, but the aftertaste lingers. I watched the ending clip yesterday and experienced a range of emotions. I showcased various facets to the viewers, and I’m grateful for that. I realized I must continue to grow, utilizing the energy, established justice, and emotions gained through this work.”
Byun Yo-han has also connected with audiences through the Disney+ original series Uncle Samshik and the film Following, keeping himself busy without pause. With distinct performances in each project, he has built trust in his acting skills and moved closer to the title of “an actor you can trust and watch.” His relentless dedication underscores why he has maintained a leading role for so long.
“When I evaluate a project, I believe the message is paramount. Even if I were offered a guaranteed hit romantic comedy alongside Black Out, I would choose Black Out. That’s a sense of mission for me. (laughs) I recently finished filming Pavane for the Dead Princess. I had ankle surgery earlier this year, so I’ll need to focus on rehabilitation for a while. I plan to prepare for my next project while I recover.”
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