"You don't have to explain yourself": Steven Yeun on the freedom of filming Burning in Korea

The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun sat down with Tom Power at TIFF 2018 to talk about his starring role in the Korean film Burning, and the intimidation he felt working with his hero, director Lee Chang-dong. More: cbc.ca/1.4886013
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[@unhallowed45]

It's funny that Steven was worried about tarnishing the movie but his role was masterfully done in Burning.

[@josevelasco216]

I didn´t even imagine Steven Yeun could act so well. I'd even say that his acting boosts up the movie. Brilliant. Now I want to see more of him!

[@infernvsnecrohag]

Burning is honestly an amazing movie. Anyone who reads this comment and hasn't seen it, you should go; it's truly a masterpiece.

[@harrysvu]

what do you think it's chances are for winning Best Foreign Film? I haven't seen it but really want to

[@infernvsnecrohag]

@@harrysvu, I think the chances are not super high simply because of movies like Roma. PERSONALLY, I think it's the best of the candidates that I've seen this year, and it's one of my favorite movies of all time; but knowing the academy awards I think it will be Roma that wins. Honestly though, go see Burning if you have an appreciation for film. I can see people who like simple, satisfying movies coming away from Burning a little let down, but if you like things that make you think, it's honestly a masterpiece.

[@infernvsnecrohag]

@Angelica The less you know going in the better. In a very basic nutshell though, it's a mystery where a guy meets up with a girl he used to know in high school, and she goes on holiday and comes back with a rich american guy. This guy confides in the main character that he has a hobby; burning down greenhouses.

[@offlinetvmanager5991]

That movie was intense. I love how the director orchestrated Steven Yeun character.

[@ebrakefml]

@Angelica absolutely nothing. It's a story about nothing.

[@idajosefino]

steven is such a perceptive person, so insightful and intelligent. it's kind of soothing listening to him talk, also he's such an amazing actor. he's gonna go far!

[@jh4277]

Very humble actor

[@asppl]

This was a great interview! The questions were important and relevant, and Steven Yeun's answers were very eloquent. The last image of working with Director Lee gave me chills

[@VG-fk6nk]

Truly, this has been one of the interviews of all time.

[@keonsohn]

This interview was intellectually packed to the brim. I wasn't expecting such insightful and complex answers from an actor, which, I suppose, is me putting Steven into a box. But, really, most contemporary actor/actress interviews comprise of basic answers to basic questions regarding the film, celebrity lifestyle, fan hype, etc. This interview was refreshing to watch.

[@rodrigoodonsalcedocisneros4419]

I think most serious actors are perceptive people, but the "hype interviews" and such you mention are product of the marketing campaign aimed at certain types of spectators. What I mean is that it's not necesarily similar the STATE OF MIND of a person searching for the latest interview "hyping" a superhero franchise than of someone searching for more insight of an arthouse film. In other words, despite of what you have seen of Steven's insights, his demeanor is gonna be different when promoting "The Walking Dead" than when promoting "Burning", because the producers demand different approaches for both interviews: be playful, funny, hyper to promote little eye-catching snippets of interviews for the zombie fans, while being a deeper, insightful, complex interviewee is something more akin to what fans of Burning would search for. I'm not looking down on TWD fans, it's just that different target audiences require different marketing strategies. That's why I emphasized "state of mind", it's not a thing about intellect, it's just different cravings. A person can enjoy both TWD and Burning as fully as they're meant to be, but usually producers expect these target audiences to expect to get something usually different form the promo interviews from these different types of media.

[@keonsohn]

@@rodrigoodonsalcedocisneros4419 Yeah that's true. I wouldn't expect questions like this for a popular move/TV show interview.

[@lia-ve7kj]

I am in love, this is the first interview of Steven Yeun I see and what an eloquent and intelligent person! Wow, so refreshing

[@koyukiny]

There are many talented directors in Korea who make amazing films, such as Lee Changdong, Bong Junho, Park Chanwook, Kim Jiwoon, Kim Kiduk etc. Lee Changdong was a novelist before he became a director and all his movies are very poetic, literary yet very cruelly realistic and poignant. I watched all of Lee's movies he's ever made and it feels like you are reading a novel. If you are a film lover, i highly recommend you watch this film not to mention all his previous ones. All his movies are amazing but i recommend you watch 'Oasis'. It was the most beautiful movie I've ever seen. It will stay in you for a long time even after time has passed. I swear Lee Changdong is a master

[@chompushkabombushka3595]

Thank you for the recommendation, I'll be checking Oasis out!

[@scarlett5591]

And peppermint candy also

[@whatfuckinwaster]

Poetry and Secret Sunshine are amazing as well, guy's the real deal

[@TheWelchProductions]

He gave an incredible performance in the movie.

[@LuxPsy]

Tom asked great questions and Steven is very perspective. It was such a pleasant to watch this interview!

[@benjaminmoseley7008]

Agreed, but it was not a pleasant to read this comment.

[@HTIOGranka]

Wow, there's something so soothing about listening to Steven. He has that cool just as his character in Burning. He's really wellspoken and explains everything really well, can't wait to see more of his future roles.

[@burgesssam]

Great movie. Great performance. Great guy. (Also great questions Tom).

[@richardbroski2933]

He captured the role of the psychopath spot on. Charming, smooth and very engaging. I can imagine it being tough if he chose to method act that role. Not all psychopaths are the joker, this is what majority of the psychopaths are like, and it is scary when you realize how many of them are among you.

[@jamesbaxterfromax]

He also could have just been a rich jerk. Or a rich sociopath that didn't murder anyone. You really don't know

[@showmicr]

@@jamesbaxterfromax yes he's all at the same time Which is what's truly mindboggling.

[@brianwalsh1401]

@@jamesbaxterfromax Yeah, you pretty much do understand the guy is a serial killer. Plenty of clues given for that. Excellent movie.

[@brianwalsh1401]

Good point. In the US narcissists and sociopaths make up at least 10% of the pop. They are glib, superficial charm is one of the characteristics. Most aren't serial killers but are usually hazardous to your health in many ways.

[@lolno7252]

@@brianwalsh1401 more like a trafficker than a killer

[@virtuous_women_ofgod]

Burning is a masterpiece. And this interviewer definitely asked the right questions.

[@plutospidey]

he's so intelligent

[@danicadou3534]

i love this interview, the representation talking starting from 14:20 is so insightful.

[@utopia1158]

I like his jacket

[@lee881]

Uto pia same

[@thciswack99]

You can tell this guy doesn’t take things serious. Love that his free styling most of his answers but with a honesty about it

[@quietastronaut]

He did a great job with the film. I'm still kind of obsessed with it... I couldn't stop thinking about it for MONTHS after watching

[@mguevarra61]

"An Analogous Gatsby-esque situation." Sounds fantastic!

[@007nadineL]

I feel so proud of myself as my brain was thinking Gatsby well before the movie said it. I was like whoooooooooah

[@radix904]

I was truly impressed by the performance of Steven Yeon and Yu Ain. It was a truly amazing movie stuck in my head for weeks after watching it. What an amazing interview. Thank you!

[@SuperBlazeOfficial]

I knew this guy was a great interviewer in the first 2 mins wow.

[@jyuts4359]

Gosh, Steven is brilliant in the Burning! In WD he was good, but I always loved acting in Korean films more (as well as movies themselves) and I am happy that Steven performance is no worse than other eminent Korean actors like Ji-Tae Woo or Sang-Kyung Kim. I liked the movie and I liked Steven in this.

[@Nico-pq8fw]

This is a really good interview! I loved Steven's nuanced insights about representation, and as an Asian-American myself, I appreciated him shedding light on the dynamic and conflict between his American-ness as an actor on an Korean production. It's not something that I hear discussed with this much honesty in media in general.

[@shyslayer]

this was such a good interview.

[@slinkydinkky]

amazing interview

[@jh4277]

Highly recommend this movie

[@yearofthedragonjane]

Such a great interview

[@chompushkabombushka3595]

Amazing interview, both on the part of Steven and the interviewer (sorry didn't catch his name). I love what you asked of Steven, how you allowed him to talk and also that he took the time to expand on his thoughts. This is interview had a depth that paralleled Burning itself, which was so nice to see.

[@i8mju7aq1w2e3sw2o9mj]

some of the things steven said is so profound and raw, i'm going to have to come back and rewatch and dig into more of the words.

[@michelleshava1477]

What a fantastic interview, and as someone who enjoys Korean content because it's: 1. fantastic, 2. seeing Asian characters free to be 3-D away from the Western gaze... I find it refreshing and relatable.

[@gtf5392]

Whatever he did to get into this character, he totally nailed it.

[@jeremylynn8243]

In Burning Steven plays a man who shockingly states he enjoys burn other people's barns. In Minari he plays a man whose life is devastated when his barn is burned

[@djuraster]

greenhouses

[@JoyDawn572]

This is my second time watching his interview, and just like a good film, I’m coming out learning something different. Great interview, and great work Steven!

[@patiencecaso]

Great interview

[@cathleenluo4712]

amazing interview and amazing movie! Steven yeun is so well-spoken and insightful.

[@saucedupbat]

incredible insight from steven

[@leemorejacqueline]

this film is absolutely searing. steven is the deepest actor out there. adore the man!

[@Nekoruni]

great, great interview

[@joeomalley2835]

This is a great interview. I only just saw the film last night but have been thinking about so many possibilities of meaning. I like how Steven says "confusing in a good way." I think that is how we should always embrace a film as an audience. So many moviegoers want answers handed to them on a silver platter, but this doesn't make for a rewarding film experience, in my opinion.

[@rayleighg9235]

He was incredible in Burning. I've never watched walking dead but I know he was nominated for an Oscar. He's naturally gifted when it comes to acting. It's not studied, it's almost like just a natural instinct to him.

[@Astroghouls]

Great host. Very good questioning.

[@ChoongYeow]

professional interview, so interesting, and steven is such a gifted and intelligence artist, so interesting, hope he get more fantastic piece like this.

[@Centigonos]

It's great when actors are not just pretty faces, but are capable of offering intellectual depth and insights. I think that talking to Steven Yeun must be incredibly interesting, because he seems to love to explore a thought or a phenomenon really deeply. I really enjoyed watching the interview!

[@krnbanguboi]

Great job Tom! Great interviewing.

[@michaelmiller4525]

Love this guy!

[@ichauch110]

nice interview, really!

[@m.c4210]

This is a huge hidden gem. Truly grasping film that totally deserves more credit.

[@Kaisersozze]

Great film and acting.

[@Vendrix86]

Tom is an excellent interviewer

[@broadway2127]

I like this interviewer.

[@friscokid66]

BURNING was a slow boring movie that I could not stop watching and thinking about when it was over. Steve also did a great job as an actor

[@nshahirah6671]

His words very deep make you immerse in dark, depression, and emotion. His words were very poetic and rhythmic nice to hear.

[@user-mx7wg7bc1d]

Love you 😊

[@trex1448]

Koreans are still making films for sake of art with moneyed, stylish gleam rather than putting out garbage money making crap that's coming out of Hollywood. Enjoy it while it can bc it's not going to last.

[@matko-cro-can]

Not just Korea. Most of East Asia.

[@ScoutJeanLouise]

There are tons of putting out garbage money making crap in Korea too. Believe me. I’m Korean btw.

[@jameelhoward1867]

@@ScoutJeanLouise Koreaboos fail to see that, to them Korea can do no wrong.

[@choggerboom]

There's good art if you have the patience to look. It's not secluded to any area. I have seen some mindlessly dull zombie horror flicks from Korea, as I have seen them in America, Russia, name your country.

[@itslene]

Korea makes a lot of garbage blockbusters as well lol. And that's just movies, not even gonna talk about the kdramas filled with every single cliche possible.

[@kevinl9793]

I watched it twice and I still have no idea how I'm supposed to feel about this movie.

[@wewepolapy]

awesome film, awesome guy

[@StrengthScholar0]

Burning is one of the best films I've ever seen. It was incredibly original and deceptively ambitious.

[@edwardlee8656]

I loved that last bit about the flying geese in the background. It's not that he was waiting for that exact thing, but he was waiting for "it".

[@spark1484]

True artistic freedom, which most of commercial films don't get to enjoy sadly and only a handful of film masters can get to have

[@bascal133]

I like the interviewer

[@Mira-nd8jj]

What an intellectual!

[@anastasiia8635]

So true. As an Asian, I can relate. In West you have to explain yourself, while there you can just be.

[@blaisetelfer8499]

Burning is a low key masterpiece

[@CJ_Williams]

When he talks about The gaze of the western culture and how Korea just focuses on characters was very interesting, especially when he refers to feeling just free. Like when he mentions everything segmented into boxes and over analysis to feel 'safe'. Reminds me of when ghost in the shell had outrage over Scar Jo's white washing and hpw Asian boss, polygon and other interviews showed that tue whole 'white washing' controversy wasn't even really a thing or cared about in the eastern countries. Gotta love Steven. Seems like a deep/self thinker. Can't wait to see what he does next.

[@rai2423]

I think the whitewashing wasn't cared about in Japan, because 99% of the people they see in their own movies are japanese, they aren't expecting japanese actors in Hollywood movies (even if the movie is based on a japanese story). I'm sure the reaction of eastern audiences would've been different if they for some reason didn't have a film industry in their own country or in East-Asia. Asian Americans on the other hand never see themselves reflected in Hollywood even in films revolving around their culture, so of course, people are going to get upset. Whitewashing isn't a thing in East-Asia because there aren't really any white people there, to begin with.

[@MrWalker1000]

i dont get exactly what did he get from nietzhe?

[@aprilrichards762]

Steven was in medical school before acting. I never thought of him as an expat since his parents moved their family from Korea. I alway thought of expats as adults who move to another country, not their children.

[@titanimarklee]

He meant he’s an expat in Korea, as an American.

[@aprilrichards762]

@@titanimarklee yeah but he didn't choose to move from Korea, he was a kid. I meant I normally associate expat with adults.

[@lukew3224]

not a lot happened in Burning, its a mystry drama but the mystry was never solved

[@geraltofrivia287]

Ben in the movie and in real life are kind of same looking, I am scared

[@choix2961]

2:34

[@chulzbiya]

REGINA!

[@hannahrae2093]

funniest part of this was when they called saskatchewan the heart of the praries LOL

[@DubstepEnjoyr]

"Regina!" lol

[@spensierataXD]

what was that about?

[@vitoratio2718]

@@spensierataXD he shouted them out

[@spensierataXD]

@@vitoratio2718 oh right! Thanks. How did I miss that part? ahah

[@pjtiger10]

So hot

[@kerlikaarna6336]

im sorry but this seems more like a therapy session than an interview..

[@charlieinfinite9434]

Super not digging this interviewer. The questions are good. But the interviewer's presence is just so unprofessional: being totally underdressed/poorly dressed, the constant sipping of the drink, looking around like hes not really listening and flipping through cue cards at inappropriate moments, or alternatively leaning in with this intense stare as though this is an interrogation, rather than an interview.

[@maicajapanmoments]

The camera man is soooo annoying!!

[@victoriadonahoe3951]

i love when steven yeun talks but hate when the weird interviewer talks.

[@asisomosfan666]

What an awkward interviewer. Could've been a much more interesting, pleasant interview.

[@brandonk.1361]

This interviewer is not a good interviewer. Doesn't even know how to joke with Steven.

[@007nadineL]

His ears look really alien. He was hotter in the movie.

[@arinanikolaev1773]

A very insightful conversation, almost feels like Steven is telling us about his time in a certain location which we want to go or intrigued about

[@MrWalker1000]

amazing interview.

[@mujtabaahmadi657]

REGINA!